Update: More Chapter 42 information located here
The City of Houston Planning Commission is holding four (4) public meetings on the proposed changes to the City’s Land Development Ordinance, Chapter 42. The public is invited to attend any of the meetings and learn what these changes will mean for their community. The proposed ordinance can be found on the Planning Department’s website, www.houstonplanning.com under Development Regulations.
All meetings are from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. The meetings are:
Monday, February 13
Sunnyside Multi-Service Center
4605 Wilmington
Houston, TX 77051
Thursday, February 23
Northeast Multi-Service Center
9720 Spaulding
Houston, TX 77016
Thursday, March 1
Sharpstown Community Center
6600 Harbor Town Drive
Houston, TX 77036
Thursday, March 8
Trini Mendenhall SOSA Community Center
1414 Wirt
Houston, TX 77055
Amendments to Chapter 42 will address the following topics:
- Average lot size/lot width in new subdivision plats
- Creation of guest parking for certain single-family residential units
- Redefining the width and length of shared driveway developments
- Requiring sign posting in residential subdivisions w/certain reserves
- Establishing a protocol on naming of partial replats
- Extending the Urban Area beyond the 610 Loop to the Beltway
- Building line overhangs encroach 30 inches, five foot for outside stairs
- Require surveyed site plans for single-family residential plats
- Resolve the conflict between Chapter 42 and the Design Manual for Lift Station Sites
These ordinance amendments will also result in changes to the Building Code and PWE Infrastructure design manual.
The primary reasons to expand the urban area out to the Beltway are to allow for obsolete commercial and multi-family areas to be redeveloped and to provide a variety of housing styles and prices for close-in housing. Neighborhoods with deed restrictions that prevent the further subdividing of lots, establish minimum lot size and restrict to single family residential uses are not impacted by this provision.
With areas outside the city limits continuing to develop and build affordable housing, there is a concern for the loss of middle income families and neighborhoods. In order to remain competitive with the far suburbs, we have to create additional products that compensate for higher land prices and other impediments.
