trymahjong

I heard Michael Kubosh speak yesterday--He told us he was against COH buying the old postoffice saying that money would be better used to rebuild roads and sidewalks. hmmmmmmm I hope that's true and that he's not against the postoffice purchase because his office would no longer be a short walk away from the court house. But honestly I wonder what COH is thinking allowing the streets to continue to deteriorate.

from Ellen Cohen enewsletter Council Member Cohen met with representatives from the 4th Ward Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ #14) and from the New Temple Zion Church to discuss a series of infrastructure improvements to the 4th Ward/Freedmen's Town neighborhood. Recent upgrades include the rehabilitation of the fire-damaged Bethel Missionary Baptist Church into the revitalized Bethel Church Park, and the introduction of security cameras in Wiley Park. Future projects entail drainage and other public utility improvements.

from Ellen Cohen enewsletter The Memorial Park Conservancy (MPC) will host the fourth in a series of public meetings to discuss the Long-Range Master Plan for Memorial Park. This meeting will be held Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30PM at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (in Denney Theater), 4001 Stanford St. At the meeting, the MPC will review the key takeaways from citizen input received over the last six months via public meetings, focus groups, and their online survey.

Heard today that the Crowne Plaza was chosen precisely because it was best to secure---alas not everything went as planned-- somehow all the dump trucks mistakenly got word to move out at 2am-- yipes! Someone had a big headache!

Astroworld acerage? I like the idea of utilizing the Astrodome in some way. . . . dig up all the concrete, build 3 or 4 stories of underground parking place a botanic garden on top. . . . . . hmmmmmmmmmm but then there is the rodeo thingy . . . . .

I miss the old Dietrich-- After it became Dirk's I didn't seem to go as much.

Did any one attend that might post their thoughts?

The rain kept me away but I'd be interested to hear about people's experiences-

from ellen cohens enewsletter Human Rights Ordinance Announced During her annual State of the City address, Mayor Parker highlighted the need for a human rights ordinance in Houston. The proposed ordinance would prohibit discrimination in city employment and contracting, as well as in housing and public accommodations. In addition, it would create a Human Rights Commission, which would work with the Office of the Inspector General and the City Attorney's office, to hear and decide on discrimination cases. Chair Cohen plans for this issue to be considered at a special-called Quality of Life Committee meeting tentatively planned for April 30th, 2014 at 2:00pm.

I saw all the huge dirt piles on site and that Farm to Market road sign-- any news on this?

I got a few more details on the church parking garage.--parts of parking lot it will be used to store building equipment as they break ground for MATCH for about 6 months or so-- that's when building should commence on the new parking garage-- however as of today no architect has been retained for parking garage. The church has been looking for parking alternatives, interfaith ministries and the theater stepped up.

Guess it is true about The Eagle moving into the 611 space-- couple of weeks ago the neighbors got a postcard from TABC with that information and at Avondale General meeting there was discussion about it.

Trinity Episcopal owns the land, I missed the vestry meeting but have been told the church lease land to developers for a fee and free parking in garage tower.

AS I was searching for the brochure above, I found another actual photograph that was used during the campaign to get Avondale East designated as a Historic district in 1998. It shows the Sterling house on the corner before it was moved (It is labeled Westheimer at Baldwin--so perhaps Baldwin came all the way to Westheimer then) and the old house at 116 Westheimer that is still there---you can just see the edge of the "M" statue.

An announcement was made during services that not only was the parking lot along Francis, Main and, Holman and unavailable to the congregation for parking due to construction beginning--the small church parking lot Main, Holman and Fannin would also become unavailable and completion of new parking garage might be as soon as six months.

I saw Restaurant Impossible tonite on Food Channel-- Gratifi on Fairview and Taft was the subject of Robert Irvine's help.

So did someone from the "Garden" camp attend? Will you post your thoughts?

too bad the windows in front showing vague graphics weren't replaced with a huge scrim (is that what they are called? ) picture of what the original structure on Stanford looked like. In the same way that the scrim at Inversion Café shows the "Implosion of the bungalows" by the ArtGuys- That could be the springboard of many an architectural centered conversation

I found this old drawing from a sales brochure about Avondale-- it's the 100 block of Hathaway--later renamed Westheimer Road. It looks like it shows the Sterling House.

Bicycle safety is (hopefully) on everyone's radar. It was one of the priority issues talked about at recent Neartown meeting.

http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/01/26/how-much-do-americans-spend-on-coffee/ (reported in 2012) "A recent study shows that the average American trifles away $1,092 a year on coffee — not far off from the $1,476 we spend on getting to and from work." Guess that was around $21 a week ($3 a day?) 2 years ago. ---maybe some $ saved by being closer to work will translate into more $ spent on great coffee so all those specialty coffee places could still be successful. I hope so-- I like having all those choices.

I saw on swamplot that the Montrose Mercantile is now open 3321 Stanford. For so long there was nooooooooooooo place to walk for coffee except Starbucks on Hawthorne-- now this will make additional three within a 4 block area-Blacksmith, Southside espresso and now the Montrose Mercantile. With Dirks on Montrose and Siphon opening up on Alabama and Greely, I wonder how many upscale coffee places that part of Montrose can support?

hmmmmmmmmmmm sort of-- apparently it can't be a bar,anymore- Avondale (not within Avondale area but has peaked interest of a few residents) heard from the Mayors Citizens Assistance Office after inquiries were made over parking availability-- ". . . it (3015 Bagby) was rejected as a bar not enough parking, but will be residential. . . . . Anything north of McGowan is exempt from parking requirements because they are considred downtown, and the OTC, the one that has the lifts on Baby is out of compliance since they have added more building." so what will it be?

http://www.chron.com/news/health/article/Schoolkids-toss-up-to-70-percent-of-fruits-5347755.php The article brings up stats concerning waste increase when more fresh fruit/veggies are added to kids cafteria lunches (required in new Federal guidelines)- but I liked this little thought provoking nugget : "They found that a few more kids did eat produce when it was given to them, but the new policy dramatically increased schools' lunch costs and the waste in their cafeteria trash cans. When the same researchers offered kids a small incentive, such as a quarter or even a nickel or raffle ticket, as a reward for eating produce, more kids made healthy choices and schools saved money and cut trash."

After a huge amount of work, Avondale's has two Historic districts but after the same amount of work and commitment failed to get minimum lot size protection. It's a complicated endeavor. Still, recently, I've had more than one civic association ask for information about Avondale's experience. Apparently the discussion on this issue is increasing. This was online at Chronicle today. Advocate: Neighbors against condos have code on their sideBy Cindy George March 28, 2014 | Updated: March 28, 2014 10:38pm The flier to persuade one northside neighborhood's homeowners to vote for lot-size and building-line protections features a scene from the Heights. The photograph shows a single-story craftsman-style home flanked by two mature trees and surrounded by towering townhouses. "You can stop this from happening in Lindale Park!" the handout proclaims. In 1999, changes to Chapter 42 - the city's land planning code - allowed denser development inside Loop 610, but also provided ways for neighborhoods to prevent construction of three-story townhouses, for instance. Last year, the provisions were extended outside the loop to the Harris County line. One neighborhood protection tool allows property owners to impose minimum lot sizes to prevent subdivisions for apartment towers or condominiums. Those designations are in force for various sections of near-downtown neighborhoods, including the Heights, Third Ward, Montrose and the Rice Military area off Washington Avenue. Other areas, such as Kashmere Gardens and Lindale Park, are in the application process. This week, the City Council approved eight block applications for building line and minimum lot sizes from Cherryhurst, a neartown neighborhood near the University of St. Thomas. "We're now seeing interest by some areas that are right outside the Loop," said city planning department spokeswoman Suzy Hartgrove, mentioning parts of Spring Branch that are in Houston proper. Application get priority in the order that they're filed - the neighborhood for protections or the developer to potentially chop up lots. In Lindale Park, a pair of retired volunteers are leading the process for the bungalow-filled community of roughly 1,200 residences. The inside-the-loop community, known for its annual Fourth of July parade, is north of downtown and east of Interstate 45. They became interested in preventing townhouses from invading their neighborhood about 18 months ago when city leaders shared information about how Chapter 42 could protect them from incompatible development. Protecting her block "They stood up and said deed restrictions will not protect you and also historical [designation] will not protect you. The only thing that will protect you are Chapter 42 minimum lot size and setbacks," said Kathy Gutierrez. After checking with her neighbors, she filed a minimum-lot size application last summer to protect her block on Gale Street. "We're one of the few neighborhoods that have the big streets and still have these big lots and have not been touched by these builders yet," said Gutierrez, who has lived in Lindale Park since 1978. Gwyn Guidy, who has lived in Lindale Park nearly three decades, is hounded almost daily by developers via mail or telephone calls about selling her property. "The thing that scares me most is the character and charm of this neighborhood going away," she said. "We're a big-city neighborhood with a real small-town feel. I know that sounds trite, but it's very true. ... You can imagine that with Metro finishing up with the rail how hot we've become." Working with the city planning department, Lindale Park community leaders decided to follow the lead of Gutierrez's block by filing three area applications to secure minimum lots sizes for streets bordered by 610, Robertson, Cavalcade and Fulton. Unlike a block that needs consensus from a majority of property owners or less than 51 percent with no protests, applications go through a balloting process that requires 55 percent of property owners to submit affirmative votes. People who don't respond are counted as opposing the plan. Stable protection One thing Guidy and Gutierrez were please to learn is that once a complete application is submitted, a community is afforded Chapter 42 protection until a final decision is made. Lindale Park's Area 1 and Area 2 applications - both with close to 500 homes - are being vetted by the city's legal department. The Area 3 application, submitted in August, is in the 30-day balloting stage. The application for Gutierrez's block on Gale Street was approved by the Houston Planning Commission late last year, but awaits City Council approval. An easier process Some neighborhoods have deed restrictions, but they don't always set a building line - also known as a setback - or establish a lot size. Those areas can strengthen their deed restrictions or turn to Chapter 42 - which Hartgrove said is an easier process and can assist where deed restrictions have lapsed. "If you try to change deed restrictions, you might need 100 percent of the property owners agreeing," she said. "We would encourage areas of town that don't have the relevant deed restrictions and where redevelopment is fast approaching to consider these tools and make their determination in a timely manner." Hartgrove recommends that neighborhood representatives get started by making an appointment with city planners to discuss their wishes. "We can help them think about how they want to draw their map and make sure they understand what is needed so that their application is accepted when they are ready to file," the planning department spokeswoman said. "Not everyone will take advantage of it and there may be places where a more dense housing product makes sense. "That's OK. At least, this gives the neighborhoods the ability to self determine what their future is." How to protect your block or neighborhood from dense development In most cases, a minimum lot size designation would prevent redevelopment of single-family lots with townhouses. A minimum building line or setback designation would forestall new structures from being closer to the street than a portion of the existing buildings. How to get started: Visit bit.ly/Houstonminlotsize for more information about minimum lot size and building line application processes. Who to contact: Call the Houston Planning Department at 713.837.7701 before beginning the process for your neighborhood. The city planning department will work closely with property owners, civic clubs and homeowners associations. Application types: There are three kinds. Homeowners can apply for their block - intersection to intersection - for a minimum lot size or building line. There is a third application for communities that wish to set a minimum lot size for an area of 500 lots or less in the same subdivision plat or no more than 400 lots in different plats. Block applications: Must be approved by a majority of property owners or less than 51 percent without protest. A block designation lasts for 20 years. Area applications: Must be requested by 10 percent of property owners, but 55 percent of property owners must return affirmative ballots. An area designation lasts for 40 years. Advice from Lindale Park leaders: Gwyn Guidy and Kathy Gutierrez went to their civic club with a plan and proposed budget, received the go-ahead from community leaders, then launched a campaign with signs, mailings, door hangers and newsletter articles to build awareness and educate their neighbors about the process. "If you have any kind of active civic association, they're the ones to approach first," said Guidy, who also recommends that neighborhoods draft block captains so that there is a leader on every section of every street. She added that Lindale Park has created a CD tutorial that explains the process from the neighborhood leader perspective.