The Heights Historic Districts

[briekelman]

My new next-door neighbors are trying to remodel their house. Bungalow Revival is their designer/builder, and even HE, as the most well-known Historic Preservationist in Houston (if not TX), cannot get through the HAHC - crazy. They are only adding ~800 SF for a total square footage of 2,624, which is less than their whole block's average. The appeal is this Thursday, Oct 31 @ 2:30 pm.

 

Click here to see a photo album that shows the shoddy 1990's addition, which is the ONLY thing that they are removing and replacing with a much better, more cohesive addition. The new space will actually be safe (unlike the current 1990's addition) and will make their house function (their 2nd daughter spent the first year of her life in a closet!). 

Can you please each send the email that I have drafted below to show your support for these wonderful neighbors of ours? We don't want to lose to the suburbs! Feel free to embellish as much as you would like, but in case you are busy, feel free to copy/paste/send. I left several things in red at the bottom, so you would remember to modify/personalize for you. Many thanks!

To:  Delaney.Harris-Finch@houstontx.gov,historicpreservation@houstontx.gov

cc:  jzucker@yettercoleman.com, triciazucker@hotmail.com

 

Subject: Support letter for 1213 Harvard COA

I am writing to show my support of the Zucker's renovation project at 1213 Harvard and encourage the Planning Commission to grant them a Certificate of Appropriateness. I am unable to attend the Planning Commission meeting in-person to show my support; therefore, this letter must suffice.

Their project complies with the Ordinance and will be a great improvement to the neighborhood.

Please respond to confirm that you will include this letter in the packet you will provide the Planning Commission on Oct 31.

 

Thank you,

Name

The Heights (if applicable)
Address (if applicable)
Historic District Heights East (or whatever HD you are in if applicable)

[fwki]

The verdict is in.  The Planning Commission is no longer the opportunity for fair judgment for those hapless Heights families aggrieved by whimsical HAHC decisions.  After months of attempting to beat HAHC opponents at the Planning Commission by tweaking the rules but still getting their collective asses handed to them by superior arguments, Gafrick has thrown in the towel and will no longer allow public comment.  Also the appellants will no longer be allowed to address any issues other than those pre-determined by the HAHC as relevant to the appeal.  So HD buyers beware: if you are not prepared to grab your ankles and take what the HAHC is giving, stay away from  any property that needs work.  Unless of course you are a DINK, Empty Nester, barren old lady or alt.life.style.

 

Time for me to join the Repeal the Ordinance team, there's no middle ground for Parker and her fellow freaks.

[Texasota]

 So HD buyers beware: if you are not prepared to grab your ankles and take what the HAHC is giving, stay away from  any property that needs work.  Unless of course you are a DINK, Empty Nester, barren old lady or alt.life.style.

 

Time for me to join the Repeal the Ordinance team, there's no middle ground for Parker and her fellow freaks.

 

Stay classy, fwki. Stay classy.

[Ross]

The verdict is in.  The Planning Commission is no longer the opportunity for fair judgment for those hapless Heights families aggrieved by whimsical HAHC decisions.  After months of attempting to beat HAHC opponents at the Planning Commission by tweaking the rules but still getting their collective asses handed to them by superior arguments, Gafrick has thrown in the towel and will no longer allow public comment.  Also the appellants will no longer be allowed to address any issues other than those pre-determined by the HAHC as relevant to the appeal.  So HD buyers beware: if you are not prepared to grab your ankles and take what the HAHC is giving, stay away from  any property that needs work.  Unless of course you are a DINK, Empty Nester, barren old lady or alt.life.style.

 

Time for me to join the Repeal the Ordinance team, there's no middle ground for Parker and her fellow freaks.

 

Was there an announcement for this that we can see?

 

[briekelman]

http://houstontx.swagit.com/play/10312013-616

Click on Roman numeral v on right.

2 were overturned and 2 were upheld (both of Bungalow Revival's projects were denied coa's - Houston's best and most famous historic preservationist)

A - bicycle bungalow - overturned Hahc

B - bungalow revival - upheld Hahc (my new next door neighbors who are only adding 835 SF by removing a bad 90's addition

C - creole new construction - overturned Hahc

D - Bungalow Revival - upheld Hahc and denied a dormer

A lot of emotion and exhaustion right now, and I sincerely hope that this doesn't result in my new neighbors moving.

[fwki]

Stay classy, fwki. Stay classy.

 

He he he he he, knew that one would get ya Tex.  You shoulda seen the first draft, but it crashed Windows 8.1, took it as a sign and removed all satanic Halloween references....but then again, it coulda just been Windows 8.1. 

[Marksmu]

http://houstontx.swagit.com/play/10312013-616

Click on Roman numeral v on right.

2 were overturned and 2 were upheld (both of Bungalow Revival's projects were denied coa's - Houston's best and most famous historic preservationist)

A - bicycle bungalow - overturned Hahc

B - bungalow revival - upheld Hahc (my new next door neighbors who are only adding 835 SF by removing a bad 90's addition

C - creole new construction - overturned Hahc

D - Bungalow Revival - upheld Hahc and denied a dormer

A lot of emotion and exhaustion right now, and I sincerely hope that this doesn't result in my new neighbors moving.

 

Very sad indeed.  It seems the very vocal minority with the most extreme views has officially taken hold in our neighborhood.  Really sad indeed.  I was out trick or treating last night, and one thing was abundantly clear to me - 90+% of the new construction which is family friendly was occupied by families with young children (average age looked to be 3), while the ultra majority of the original housing was occupied by older people with no kids at all.  On top of that, of the original houses on the 3 streets we went on, about 60% were not participating in Halloween at all.  Lights off, gates locked...

 

I say this as anecdotal evidence of what I already know to be true.  The older people, with no families who wish to keep the Heights "historic" are fighting the growth of the neighborhood to keep their property values lower not because they care even one iota about preservation...They may think their house is cute and that it is a good size for them, but their fight is about nothing more than not getting taxed out of the area.  When the neighborhood comes out at night, like it did last night, the segregation between the two groups is abundantly clear.

[arche_757]

^ Well - I really have no sheep in this fight - but of course the older families who have lived there for many years are wanting to keep their property taxes valued lower.  Who wants to have their taxes increased?  And any neighborhood like this is going to have that generational divide.

 

As for commissions rightly or wrongly rejecting proposed additions - that's why you hire an architect.  The added expense is worth it as a competant architect will be able to fight for you in town council meetings, or historic preservation societies/commissions what-have-you.  They will also be able to better explain the additions (or subtractions) and if need be work on making slight alterations to gain acceptance.

 

We do this all the time in Galveston (which has a very strong preservation group - very strong) and it is very common to get rejections and have to go back and tweak things to get accepted.

Edited November 1, 2013 by arche_757

[Marksmu]

^ Well - I really have no sheep in this fight - but of course the older families who have lived there for many years are wanting to keep their property taxes valued lower.  Who wants to have their taxes increased?  And any neighborhood like this is going to have that generational divide.

 

As for commissions rightly or wrongly rejecting proposed additions - that's why you hire an architect.  The added expense is worth it as a competant architect will be able to fight for you in town council meetings, or historic preservation societies/commissions what-have-you.  They will also be able to better explain the additions (or subtractions) and if need be work on making slight alterations to gain acceptance.

 

We do this all the time in Galveston (which has a very strong preservation group - very strong) and it is very common to get rejections and have to go back and tweak things to get accepted.

 

Bungalow Revival received two rejections yesterday and they are architects/builders who many perceive to be one of the best operating in the Heights.  I do not know how Galveston's restrictions are written, but the Heights restrictions are so broad, arbitrary, and open to abuse of discretion as to be nothing more than a guide...the Commission is rejecting houses that comply with all restrictions for whatever reason they feel like...if you watch the meetings you can see the members say things something to the effect of:  Well ya, it meets all the requirements, but it just feels wrong, or it feels to big...its very saddening to see this happening.

 

The vibe of the Heights has been all positive, except for the people shoving the historic regulations down everyones throats...these people are literally trying to ruin the neighborhood.

[Texasota]

 

 

The vibe of the Heights has been all positive, except for the people shoving the historic regulations down everyones throats...these people are literally trying to ruin the neighborhood.

 

By definition, the people building additions are the ones changing the neighborhood. Unless you believe the Heights is already ruined, and the addition-builders are un-ruining it.

[arche_757]

Then the homeowners within the Heights really need to orginize an effort to take back control over those restrictions to some extent.  Perhaps legal action needs to be taken?  Sounds like opinions - and not well written regulations - are driving what is being rejected or approved?  That sounds very suspect to me.

 

Galveston is the epitomy of historical preservation.  The rules here are very good and well enforced (for the most part); but there are still problems (such as using non-wood windows - which the majority of impact windows ARE not wood).  That's a big issue.

 

Galveston's historical preservation is widely known, and many towns around the country have adopted rules very similar to theirs.  Perhaps The Heights needs to look south towards a more reasonable set of standards?

[Marksmu]

By definition, the people building additions are the ones changing the neighborhood. Unless you believe the Heights is already ruined, and the addition-builders are un-ruining it.

 

Wrong - the ultra majority of people who are doing additions owned the property 100% unrestricted prior to the ordinance being enacted....there are some who did not but they are very much the minority.  The Heights is not some glorious window into the past like many other real Historic Districts.  Nearly every single block, if not every single block, already has new construction on it.  The sole purpose of the ordinance was to stop the expansion of the homes so that the rapidly skyrocketing values could be kept in check and the people who can't afford the taxes on a $800K home can stay.  It has never been about architecture or preservation, that has always been a lie.

 

The people moving in are great for the area - they have huge sums of disposable income, which is reflected in the growth of restaurants and shopping, they are mostly dual income young families with no children, or young children who are rejuvenating the schools and the parks and bringing back the strong sense of neighborhood....being friendly and getting together to really form a cohesive neighborhood.  Meanwhile we have the old people, with no kids attempting to stop the positive changes b/c they are pissed they cant afford their house anymore.  I have no sympathy for them.  The neighborhood is not historic and it never was, its time to give up the sham, and let people add on and rebuild homes that are actually suitable for a modern day lifestyle with children.

 

If the preservationist got their way none of the positive growth of the area would have occurred.

Edited November 1, 2013 by Marksmu

[august948]

Meanwhile we have the old people, with no kids attempting to stop the positive changes b/c they are pissed they cant afford their house anymore. 

 

Doesn't the over-65 homestead exemption mitigate that?

 

[Marksmu]

Doesn't the over-65 homestead exemption mitigate that?

 

 

Partially yes - but from my casual observations of the neighborhood the majority of folks who are against growth and prosperity are in their late 50's and they are seeing that their savings accounts coupled with social security are not going to pay the taxes for their retirement if they cant keep their values from skyrocketing further in the next 3-9 years until they hit 65.

[august948]

I feel for them as it would really suck if you bought a house in your 20's, raised a family in it with all the memories and such and then be forced out by circumstances beyond their control.  It's a losing battle, though.

[Subdude]

I don't have a dog in this hunt either, but the same point holds as I've made defending the Ashby protesters - even if it leads to what might be considered suboptimal outcomes, it's hard to blame people for acting in their own financial interests.  

 

 

[Marksmu]

I feel for them as it would really suck if you bought a house in your 20's, raised a family in it with all the memories and such and then be forced out by circumstances beyond their control.  It's a losing battle, though.

 

I have some sympathy for their plight, but this scenario plays out in every major city in the US...it is a cost of living in a city...yes they will have to move somewhere else, moving sucks, but as one heck of a going away present the people that they hate are giving them about 70% more for their property than they could have gotten 5 years ago.

[august948]

I have some sympathy for their plight, but this scenario plays out in every major city in the US...it is a cost of living in a city...yes they will have to move somewhere else, moving sucks, but as one heck of a going away present the people that they hate are giving them about 70% more for their property than they could have gotten 5 years ago.

 

I wonder how much this trend will affect apartments inside the loop and/or near the heights.  If I were in that position and I really loved the area then I'd probably try to find more affordable accomodations nearby.

 

[flatline]

I'm absolutely dumbfounded by this.  Does Mr. Marsh have a job?  Was the fact that the Zuckers (who live at least a 1/2 mile away from him) were going to remove a bad mid 90's addition and renovate their fee simple property in a way that, while a significant improvement, was not quite up to his standards so egregious, so critical to his existence, and so important to his life that he spent a few hours at the planning commission and who knows how many other hours involving himself in the Zucker family's life and property and actively working to cause the government to exert its power to prevent the Zuckers from making decisions for their own family and property as they saw fit, and contrary to the expressed sentiments of what appeared to be the entire block of supportive neighbors who actually live near the house?

 

Pardon the run-on sentence, which is certainly not consistent with the aesthetic character of the topic thread. . .

 

 

[Angostura]

http://houstontx.swagit.com/play/10312013-616

Click on Roman numeral v on right.

2 were overturned and 2 were upheld (both of Bungalow Revival's projects were denied coa's - Houston's best and most famous historic preservationist)

A - bicycle bungalow - overturned Hahc

B - bungalow revival - upheld Hahc (my new next door neighbors who are only adding 835 SF by removing a bad 90's addition

C - creole new construction - overturned Hahc

D - Bungalow Revival - upheld Hahc and denied a dormer

A lot of emotion and exhaustion right now, and I sincerely hope that this doesn't result in my new neighbors moving.

 

 

At some point, the Planning Commission is going to get tired of spending 2 hours every other week talking about whether dormers are Queen Anne or Craftsman.  Unfortunately, not much is likely to change until City Council gets tired of it, too, so I hope the Zucker's appeal to City Council.

[s3mh]

I'm absolutely dumbfounded by this.  Does Mr. Marsh have a job?  Was the fact that the Zuckers (who live at least a 1/2 mile away from him) were going to remove a bad mid 90's addition and renovate their fee simple property in a way that, while a significant improvement, was not quite up to his standards so egregious, so critical to his existence, and so important to his life that he spent a few hours at the planning commission and who knows how many other hours involving himself in the Zucker family's life and property and actively working to cause the government to exert its power to prevent the Zuckers from making decisions for their own family and property as they saw fit, and contrary to the expressed sentiments of what appeared to be the entire block of supportive neighbors who actually live near the house?

 

Pardon the run-on sentence, which is certainly not consistent with the aesthetic character of the topic thread. . .

 

Who are you to tell this guy that he should not participate in the democratic process?  It is an open forum and a public process.  He has every bit as much of a right to participate as do the applicants.  If you disagree with him, fine.  State your argument.  But calling him out just for standing up for what he believes in and participating in an open forum is just flat out wrong.

[Marksmu]

Who are you to tell this guy that he should not participate in the democratic process?  It is an open forum and a public process.  He has every bit as much of a right to participate as do the applicants.  If you disagree with him, fine.  State your argument.  But calling him out just for standing up for what he believes in and participating in an open forum is just flat out wrong.

 

I AM YELLING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS:   HE SHOULD HAVE NO SAY IN WHAT HAPPENS TO A HOUSE HE DOES NOT OWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

 

What another person does to their PRIVATE PROPERTY is not a democratic process.

 

We should call out every single socialist who think they should get to control other people's property.  Call each and every one out by name over and over again...print their names in the newspaper...rent billboards, we should shame each and every one of them into submission...if I have learned nothing from watching politics its that the more an issue gets a light and a magnifying glass, the more clear it is that the issue should never have been undertaken by government in the first place.

Edited November 1, 2013 by Marksmu

[arche_757]

Woah...

 

I understand both sides from you two.  Cities prosper by having both sides of the argument, they fail by having one or the other sides weilding too much power.  It is best to meet in the middle, and in the case of Mr Marsh it seems that perhaps he is being far too nitpicky over "styles" and less so over an actual rational reason for rejecting a project.

 

And to a lesser extent the Heights is a historic neighborhood (as far as Houston goes) but it *should not* hamper reasonable development.  Sensible designs should be allowed without such vitriol from either group (not speaking about any one in particular).  As when people get mad at each other compromise fails and that hurts everyone particularly those who are the actual "victims" (so to speak) as their voices get drowned out by both sides.  City Hall needs to get involved, but doubt anything comes of anything until January after the election cycle has run and politicians need to burn off the caloric intake following Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Edited November 1, 2013 by arche_757

[s3mh]

I AM YELLING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS:   HE SHOULD HAVE NO SAY IN WHAT HAPPENS TO A HOUSE HE DOES NOT OWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

 

What another person does to their PRIVATE PROPERTY is not a democratic process.

 

We should call out every single socialist who think they should get to control other people's property.  Call each and every one out by name over and over again...print their names in the newspaper...rent billboards, we should shame each and every one of them into submission...if I have learned nothing from watching politics its that the more an issue gets a light and a magnifying glass, the more clear it is that the issue should never have been undertaken by government in the first place.

 

And until the law changes from what it is to what you want it to be, Mr. Marsh and others very much have the right to participate and speak out for what they believe is right. 

[s3mh]

Very sad indeed.  It seems the very vocal minority with the most extreme views has officially taken hold in our neighborhood.  Really sad indeed.  I was out trick or treating last night, and one thing was abundantly clear to me - 90+% of the new construction which is family friendly was occupied by families with young children (average age looked to be 3), while the ultra majority of the original housing was occupied by older people with no kids at all.  On top of that, of the original houses on the 3 streets we went on, about 60% were not participating in Halloween at all.  Lights off, gates locked...

 

I say this as anecdotal evidence of what I already know to be true.  The older people, with no families who wish to keep the Heights "historic" are fighting the growth of the neighborhood to keep their property values lower not because they care even one iota about preservation...They may think their house is cute and that it is a good size for them, but their fight is about nothing more than not getting taxed out of the area.  When the neighborhood comes out at night, like it did last night, the segregation between the two groups is abundantly clear.

 

I also went trick or treating.  Only one of the new builds on my street were answering the door for trick or treaters.  They are empty nesters who are about 5-10 years from retirement.  The other new builds are young couples who weren't home and one other empty nester who kept the porch light off.  The six families with kids all live in original homes with varying degrees of additions.  The one ardent anti-ordinance resident is old and retired.  From what I gather, she was opposed because she wanted to be able to get lot value in the event she had to sell and move into a retirement/assisted living home and did not want to have her property values restricted by the ordinance.   

 

The number of retired residents in the Heights who have so little retirement income that rising property taxes are an issue for them are so small that they are insignificant as a political force.  Most of the residents from the old days have sold and moved on.  The retired residents who remain tend to be very well off and are not concerned about their property taxes. 

 

The reality is that the pro-historic preservation people are a broad mix of young and old.  Conservative and liberal.  Rich and poor.  It is funny how whenever an argument comes up over something about the ordinance that the discussion quickly turns to a personal attack on pro-ordinance people instead of an objective discussion about how to solve problems and make things better for all. 

[JJxvi]

I agree that it comes from a sense of smug superiority and arrogance rather than an actual economic decision for most of those people.

[Heightsfamily]

Okay, I just have to respond to the trick-or treating comments! I live across from the new Sullivan Brothers houses on 16th street. All were open for trick-or-treating business despite being either "empty nesters 5-10 years from retirement" or "young couples". Lots of cute decorations, and I noted that the parents of the trick-or-treaters were socializing on the sidewalk while the kiddos were doing their thing - totally a neighborhood feeling. I felt guilty that we were going out and not handing out candy. There is room is this neighborhood for all sorts of people including us who are bridging the gap between parenting and empty-nesting all the while living in our 1899 house across from the beautifully built 2013 Sullivan Brothers homes. Viva la difference! Sorry for the poor french.

[innerlooper]

I AM YELLING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS:   HE SHOULD HAVE NO SAY IN WHAT HAPPENS TO A HOUSE HE DOES NOT OWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

 

 

 

 

 

Marksmu, I take it you don't have to live next to this free spirit. Location: about as far from the Heights as the new Walmart.

[Morrison]

I'm still waiting for someone in the district to switch with me. You want out. I want in. Trades-ies anyone?

[Marksmu]

Marksmu, I take it you don't have to live next to this free spirit. Location: about as far from the Heights as the new Walmart.

 

The historic ordinance would do absolutely nothing to prevent that ugliness until the person tried to fix or remodel that ugly house.  The ordinance does not prevent hording, rebuilding old junkers in your front or back yard, or anything else.  It applies only to the structure itself.  The only thing that will get rid of something like that would be deed restrictions, and the Heights, except for some small pocket areas, are not deed restricted.  Its clear as day on your title search - it says unrestricted...that means, you can have a house, a townhome, an apartment, a manufacturing facility, a hospital, or a small vegetable farm next door.  You really dont know, and you really do not have any say.

 

While, I personally hate the historic ordinance, a case could be made for a very limited set of deed restrictions (which I also hate)  The problem there being that the second you open the door to deed restrictions at all, you will have the crazy historic nuts thinking that they need to limit everything, and they would try.  Its for that reason I do not support deed restrictions too....while they could be beneficial to prevent blight - they would be abused by nuts and end up being another hoop you have to jump through.

 

The appreciation in our area is rapid enough that homes like that are becoming less and less common. Just keep waiting, when the property there gets high enough those people see dollar signs and they will pick up and move.