The Role of Houston’s Development Ordinances in: Developing Green Neighborhoods

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

2. Speaker Contact Information Brian J. Crimmins, Senior Planner Phone: (713) 837-7833 Fax:     (713) 837-7994 E-mail: brian.crimmins@cityofhouston.net City of Houston Planning & Development Department Neighborhoods and Development Services Division 611 Walker, 6th Floor Houston, Texas  77002

3. Presentation Overview • History of Houston Development Regulation • Current Development Ordinances • Chapter 42 • Chapter 33 • Chapter 26 • Noteworthy Recent Amendments • What's on the Horizon?

4. Timeline of Key Houston Planning Dates • 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

5. Citywide Zoning Referendums • November 1948 – Failed • November 1962 – Failed • November 1993 – Failed

6. 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

7. Current Development Ordinances

8. The City of Houston & Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)

9. 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

10. Chapter 42 – The Basics • General Platting Requirements • Street Layout and Arrangement • Building Setback Requirements • Lot and Reserve Design Standards • Parks and Private Parks

11. 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

12. URBAN SUBURBAN

13. The Major Thoroughfare & Freeway Plan

15. Picture

18. Chapter 33 – The Basics • Tree and Shrub Ordinance • Houston’s “landscaping” ordinance • Minimum Planting Guidelines for New Development • Tree Protection/ Tree Preservation

19. Chapter 33 – The Basics • Historic Preservation Ordinance • Designates buildings, sites or districts that are of historical, cultural, architectural significance

23. 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

24. Recent Amendments

25. 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.

26. Park Sectors

27. Transit-Corridor Amendment

28. 08 New Terms -Transit Corridor Streets & Type A Streets

29. TRANSIT CORRIDOR • Key Elements: • Mandatory Requirements • Minimum 6 foot clear pedestrian space sidewalk for Transit Corridor Streets and Type “A” streets • Opt-In Rules

30. 12 Mandatory Requirements Minimum 6’ Sidewalk & Clear Pedestrian Space

31. 11 Opt – In Rules Minimum 15’ Pedestrian Realm

32. 13 Opt – In Rules Softscape

33. Total Frontage Min. 50% Frontage 14 Opt – In Rules Minimum Building Frontage

34. Maximum 20’ interval between Transparent openings 8’ Transparency is 30% of façade surface Area consisting of doors and windows Between 0’ and 8’ height Public Entrance 15 Opt – In Rules Façade

35. What's on the Horizon?

36. 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

37. Technology • My City Mapping Application • New Plat Submittal System • Social Networking Sites • Enhanced Planning Department Website • www.houstonplanning.com

38. Speaker Contact Information Brian J. Crimmins, Senior Planner Phone: (713) 837-7833 Fax:     (713) 837-7994 E-mail: brian.crimmins@cityofhouston.net City of Houston Planning & Development Department Neighborhoods and Development Services Division 611 Walker, 6th Floor Houston, Texas  77002