The setup
Some developers in the city expressed their frustrations in September regarding the city's current code of ordinances, which states all new single-family residential developments must be built with mandatory sidewalks.
On Sept. 25, Houston Mayor John Whitmire directed the Planning and Development Department to waive that requirement while the city worked on drafting a new ordinance.
According to Planning Department information, the changes are intended to expand the sidewalk construction exemption criteria, simplify the ordinance, address unconnected sidewalk segments in neighborhoods and streamline the application process.
What residents need to know
The draft process includes opportunities for residents to give input and provide comments starting Oct. 22 with four in-person meetings and four virtual meetings.
The in-person town halls will be held at four different locations across Harris County from 6-8 p.m.
- Oct. 22: Houston Community College-Alief Hayes Campus, 2811 Hayes Road, Houston, Auditorium Room C-100
- Oct. 24: Houston Community College-South Campus, 1990 Airport Blvd., Houston, Multi-Purpose Room 1st Floor
- Oct. 28: Houston Community College-Felix Fraga Campus, 301 N. Drennan St., Houston, Multi-Purpose Room 3rd Floor
- Oct. 30: Lake Houston YMCA in Kingwood, 2420 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Kingwood, Multi-Purpose Room 1st Floor
One more thing
Residents have until Nov. 7 to submit advance and written comments on the Let's Talk Houston page.
There will also be two more public hearings on the proposed ordinance, with one occurring at a Nov. 14 Planning Commission meeting and one during a Dec. 2 Quality of Life Council Committee meeting.
Houston City Council will vote on the new ordinance Dec. 11.
