trymahjong

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.

from Ellen Cohens enewsletter the city's largest community improvement initiative Keep Houston Beautiful Day, which will take place on April 5th, 2014. During this citywide event, hundreds of volunteers come together to complete beautification projects such as de-littering, landscaping, mowing, and graffiti abatement. Registration is still open for many projects throughout Houston. For more information, please contact Keep Houston Beautiful at (713) 839-8855 or contact@houstonbeautiful.org.

from Ellen Cohen enewsetter Bicycle Master Plan in the Works Mayor Parker announced that Houston will develop a Bicycle Management Plan to guide infrastructure policy decisions that make our city safer for bicyclists. The plan aligns with the "Goal: Zero Fatalities" initiative, designed by BikeHouston, which was presented to the Council Committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security this week. In addition to increasing quality cyclist infrastructure, an important component of "Goal: Zero Fatalities" includes the directive for the Houston Police Department to bolster enforcement of existing cycling laws, by cracking down on drivers who hit cyclists or ignore bicycle safety laws.

I'm not sure about all the $$$$$ if you walk the neighborhoods, even the modest neighborhoods, you can find that artsy vibe still there. Like: upscale metal sculptures of parrots in bushes to those big chicken sculptures from Mexico and origami butterflies on the outside wall of a porch or blue bottled -bottles trees in a front yard. maybe it's transforming into cool and artsy with subdued weirdness?

from Stephan Costellos enewsletter Council Member Costello Releases New Draft Financial Policies March 27, 2014 - Council Member Stephen Costello released a comprehensive draft of the city's financial policies at today's Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee. These policies aim to increase reserve funds, instill more discipline and transparency into the budget process, and include best practices as developed by the Government Finance Officers Association. Highlights of the new policies include: Increasing the city's minimum required reserve level to 8% of annual expenditures to further hedge against risk;Renaming the city's Rainy Day Fund the Budget Stabilization Fund, which will now cover all emergencies, and increasing its minimum level;Requiring passage of a balanced budget each year, together with a plan for a "structurally" balanced budget (one that does not rely on non-recurring revenues) for the following year;Financing all post-employment and employee benefit systems in a manner to systematically fully fund all liabilities;Properly funding the maintenance of facilities, fleet and IT in both the operating and capital budgets;Examining city employee compensation and city fees every five years; andDisallowing spending beyond what is adopted in the annual budget without additional City Council approval.These policies, once finalized, will be incorporated into an ordinance to include a directive to complete a cost/benefit analysis on the effects of changing the city's fiscal year start from July 1st to October 1st to better align budgeting with property tax collection. In addition to budgeting and reserve policies, the draft provides greater direction in how the city handles long-term financial planning, debt management, financial reporting, internal controls and local economic development financing. "The way we currently operate financially is short sighted. We have to save more and start tackling tomorrow's problems today. Taxpayers deserve a more transparent and balanced budget, and these are the first steps we need to take to get there," said Council Member Costello. The last revisions to the city's financial policies were in 1989 and 2003.

I wondered over the idea to "not have food" didn't really work well for Boheme till the food trucks came on scene. Still wondering a bit a bit over parking--I notice OTC is doing that double decker parking-- hard to know how many spaces they will be required to provide.

I think you put into words what was bothering me when I viewed the 1SMTX (one square mile Texas) on PBS When they called the episode "Montrose" but actually only showed mostly St Thomas /Menil---It didn't really speak to me about what living in "Montrose" meant.

you could see this forever- this was taken around 1pm 47th floor 1001 Fannin

When this newsletter says "possible locations" how many locations are on the table?

I searched on this topic also. I couldn't find anything. It's funny but Cohen hosts meetings (bi-yearly) of what she calls Ambassadors from the 80 or so civic associations within District C. She encourages residents to bring up subjects that are being talked about within District C; everyone attending has a chance to hear all the hot topics, also she gives a rundown of what council is considering. I attended the meeting in March. Most of the meeting was taken up giving step by step instructions (with powerpoint) of how to navigate the links on the COH website. The most interesting thing was the cars with the pink mustaches, that I posted somewhere else. But nothing about this ant-hoarding. It was a couple of weeks later that it appeared in her enewsletter. I would have preferred hearing about the anti-hoarding --I have all of these visions of that TV series and speculate that some branch of HPD (will be pulled off street patrol ) sent to all those pitiful people to investigate. :/

at the CIP meeting Ellen Cohen put together March 5, The COH pwee guy (public works) stated that no improvements to Richmond would be considered until Metro resolves its plans for the University line.

I had posted (from Ellen Cohens enewsletter) this under City government but then noticed that the Quality of life committee will hear presentation on a botanical garden-- I couldn't find any other details on the internet. March Quality of Life Committee Meeting Council Member Cohen will chair the March meeting of the Quality of Life Committee on Wednesday, March 26th at 2:00PM. The committee expects to view presentations on a proposed anti-hoarding ordinance; the Houston Department of Health and Human Services; and possible locations for a Houston Botanical Garden. The Committee meeting will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall (901 Bagby St, 2nd floor) and is open to the public. Citizens will have the opportunity to address the committee and may sign up to do so the day-of in Council Chambers.

from Ellen Cohen enewsletter March Quality of Life Committee Meeting Council Member Cohen will chair,(David Robinson co-chair) the March meeting of the Quality of Life Committee on Wednesday, March 26th at 2:00PM. The committee expects to view presentations on a proposed anti-hoarding ordinance; the Houston Department of Health and Human Services; and possible locations for a Houston Botanical Garden. The Committee meeting will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall (901 Bagby St, 2nd floor) and is open to the public. Citizens will have the opportunity to address the committee and may sign up to do so the day-of in Council Chambers.