At Houston City Council's upcoming weekly meeting March 28, council members will vote on the addition of conservation districts to the city's code of ordinances as another form of protection for historic and culturally significant neighborhoods.

If the governing body OKs this enabling ordinance, it does not automatically create conservation districts. It does, however, allow for the the Houston Planning and Development Department to move forward with the creation of six conservation districts throughout Houston: Independence Heights, Freedman's Town, Acres Homes, Magnolia Park/Manchester, Pleasantville and Piney Point.

If the ordinance passes, 51% or more of property owners in the aforementioned six neighborhoods must be in support of it for the next step, which is a series of public hearings at Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission and City Council.

If a future conservation district presented to either HAHC or City Council has less than 100% of property owner support, state law requires the governing bodies to have a 75% affirmative vote to create the district.P

Conservation districts have been discussed in Independence Heights since 2012 with the Houston Livable Centers Study. The city of Houston Planning and Development Department has been considering conservation districts since Liveable Places Action Committee focus groups were held on it in 2020.