Transcript The Role of Houston’s Development Ordinances in: Developing Green Neighborhoods Presentation at the Green Building Resource Center February 25, 2010 Speaker Contact Information City of.

The Role of Houston’s Development Ordinances in:
Developing Green Neighborhoods
Presentation at the Green Building Resource Center
February 25, 2010
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Speaker Contact Information
City of Houston Planning & Development Department
Neighborhoods and Development Services Division
611 Walker, 6th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Brian J. Crimmins, Senior Planner
Phone: (713) 837-7833
Fax: (713) 837-7994
E-mail: [email protected]
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Presentation Overview
• History of Houston Development Regulation
• Current Development Ordinances
– Chapter 42
– Chapter 33
– Chapter 26
• Noteworthy Recent Amendments
• What's on the Horizon?
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Timeline of Key Houston Planning Dates
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1940 – Department of City Planning
1957 – Rules for Land Subdivision
1976 – Land Platting Policy Manual
1982 – Subdivision, Developments & Platting Ordinance (CH. 42)
1989 – Off-Street Parking Ordinance
1991 – Tree and Shrub Ordinance
1995 – Historic Preservation Ordinances
1999 – Chapter 42 comprehensively amended
2007 – Old Sixth Ward Protected Historic District created
2007 – Parks and Open Space amendment
2009 – Tree & Shrub Ordinance amendment
2009 – Transit-Corridor amendment
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Citywide Zoning Referendums
• November 1948 – Failed
• November 1962 – Failed
• November 1993 – Failed
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Planning Department Mission
• The Planning and Development Department's
mission is to work to ensure that Houston
remains a vibrant and sustainable city by
partnering with decision makers and the
community to balance a spectrum of needs and
interests while addressing the dynamics of
growth and change.
Marlene Gafrick, Director
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Current Development Ordinances
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The City of Houston & Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)
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Focusing on “The Big Three”
• Chapter 42
– Subdivisions, Developments and Platting
• Chapter 33
– Tree and Shrub Ordinance
– Historic Preservation Ordinance
• Chapter 26
– Off-Street Parking Ordinance
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Chapter 42 – The Basics
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General Platting Requirements
Street Layout and Arrangement
Building Setback Requirements
Lot and Reserve Design Standards
Parks and Private Parks
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Chapter 42 – Developing Green
• Area Designations
– Central Business District; Urban Area; Suburban
Area
• Reduced Building Setback Lines
– Along Certain Major Thoroughfares in Urban Area
– Residential w/ Access to Shared Driveway or Alley
• Flexible Lot Size
– Urban Performance Standards
– Compensating Open Space
• Special Minimum Building Line/Lot Size Areas
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URBAN
SUBURBAN
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The Major Thoroughfare & Freeway Plan
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Picture
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Chapter 33 – The Basics
• Tree and Shrub Ordinance
– Houston’s “landscaping” ordinance
– Minimum Planting Guidelines for New Development
– Tree Protection/ Tree Preservation
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Chapter 33 – The Basics
• Historic Preservation Ordinance
– Designates buildings, sites or districts that are of
historical, cultural, architectural significance
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Chapter 26 – The Basics
• Off-Street Parking Requirements
– Outlines the minimum parking requirements based
on building use
– Established Parking Management Areas
– Established the Central Business District
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Recent Amendments
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PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ORDINANCE
• The primary purpose of the ordinance is to
provide adequate parks, recreational amenities,
and open space for new residential areas in the
City of Houston.
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Park Sectors
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Transit-Corridor Amendment
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New Terms -Transit Corridor Streets & Type A Streets
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TRANSIT CORRIDOR
• Key Elements:
– Mandatory Requirements
• Minimum 6 foot clear pedestrian space sidewalk for Transit
Corridor Streets and Type “A” streets
– Opt-In Rules
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Mandatory Requirements
Minimum 6’ Sidewalk & Clear Pedestrian Space
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Opt – In Rules
Minimum 15’ Pedestrian Realm
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Opt – In Rules
Softscape
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Opt – In Rules
Minimum Building Frontage
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Opt – In Rules
Façade
8’
Maximum 20’ interval between Transparent openings
Public Entrance
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Transparency is 30% of façade surface
Area consisting of doors and windows
Between 0’ and 8’ height
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What's on the Horizon?
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What's on the Horizon?
• Evaluation of Existing Ordinances
– Chapter 42
– Off-Street Parking Ordinance
– Historic Preservation Ordinance
• Review of Major Thoroughfare & Freeway Plan
Street Designations
• Public Outreach and Education
• Use of Technology in Development Review
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Technology
• My City Mapping Application
• New Plat Submittal System
• Social Networking Sites
• Enhanced Planning Department Website
– www.houstonplanning.com
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Speaker Contact Information
City of Houston Planning & Development Department
Neighborhoods and Development Services Division
611 Walker, 6th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Brian J. Crimmins, Senior Planner
Phone: (713) 837-7833
Fax: (713) 837-7994
E-mail: [email protected]
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