Houston Planning

Welcome to Ultraground. We keep your ear to the ground on Houston development.

June 8

• 164 New Projects

• 4.0-Acre Apartments Lazybrook/Timbergrove | Approved

• 2, 20+ Acre Reserves | Approved

• 3.1-Acre Multifamily | Approved

• Pushback on Commercial Parking Variance | Deferred

• 5.9-Acre Storage | Approved

Citywide

• Chapter 26 and 42 Amendments:

  • Missing middle, New <8-unit Requirements, Narrow Lot Shared Driveways

You saved: 5h 3s

Lofts on Dacoma ➊

Lazybrook/Timbergrove | 4.0 Acres | Approved

Developer: Rah Contractors, Ronny Hecht, LinkedIn

Plat Plan

Sawdust Woodlands ➋

Montgomery | 22.7 Acres | Approved

Developer: Marquette Companies

Plat Plan

Preserve at Friendswood Sec 1 ➌

Clear Creek | 26.7 Acres | Approved

Developer: Guefen

Plat Plan

Rosehill Estates ➍

Tomball | 4.0 Acres | Approved

Developer: Rosehill Real Estates

Plat Plan

Sabija Hills ➎

Channelview | 12.4 Acres | Approved

Developer: Madina Construction, Javeed Hyder, LinkedIn

Plat Plan

0.77-Ac Plat Plan | Capital Real Estate Development: 3.7-Ac Plat Plan | 6.4 Ac Plat Plan | 41.8 Ac Plat Plan | 7.1 Ac Plat Plan | 49 Ac Plat Plan

Waterloo Crossing ➏

Central Southwest | 3.1 Acres | Approved

Developer: Techpro Developers

Plat Plan

3236 Summer Street ➐

Variance request

Staff recommended approval for 26 on-site parking spaces, less than the stipulated 51. However, public objections emerged around traffic, parking, and potential impact on the adjacent Olivewood cemetery.

A letter from City Council Member Abby Cayman, voicing concerns about the cemetery's impact and urging a contextual review of parking needs, was noted. The architect for the owner advocated for the parking variance, basing their arguments on peak occupancy analysis and comparable jurisdictions.

The proposed five-story building had potential for additional parking on the first level, but this was deemed incompatible with the neighborhood. The owner has reached out to the Olivewood cemetery's descendants, and has had ownership of the site for a few years.

A motion to defer the project was approved.

Developer: Sphere Soccer

Plat Plan: NA

Inwood North Self Storage ➑

Inwood North | 5.9 Acres | Approved

Developer: Brightwork Development

Plat Plan

Chapter 26 & 42 Amendments

Livable Places Action Committee

1. Second dwelling unit

   1. Limit 1,500 sf with 1 curb cut

2. Multi unit residential development - <8 units on unrestricted reserve

   1. No more than 4 units along local street

   2. 40’ max height per Fire Code

   3. Parking:

      1. 1 space per unit at <1000sf

      2. 2 spaces per unit >1000sf

3. Courtyard style development

   1. 30’ max height per Fire Code

   2. Max unit size: 1,800 sf

4. Removed: Narrow Lots (<40’) must have shared driveways

   1. Max width for shared driveway: 24’ (12’ per each lot)

   2. “Direct vehicular access from a street shall only be allowed for lots 33’ or wider. This individual driveway approach shall be 10’- 12’ wide” Any lots narrower than 33’ may use alley access, flag lots, shared driveway or PAE.

Jeff Turnoise, a home builder, presented a handout and argued that the proposed changes would not solve the problem of clearing sidewalks and providing street parking. Joe Dunham, another speaker, expressed concerns about the lack of parking space in shared driveways and the potential for conflicts with neighbors.

Another industry professional argued that shared driveways would add to the problem of affordability for buyers with other homes builders speaking out against the shared driveway provision.

The meeting also included a presentation by Christa Stoneham, CEO and president of the Houston Land Bank, who expressed support for the staff's hard work and stressed the importance of innovative housing solutions for low to moderate income populations.

It will see a public hearing on June 21.

Commissioner Garza suggested eliminating shared driveways from the proposal, recommending further refinement until it suits most of the city. Meanwhile, Commissioner Clark proposed altering the recommendation language from a minimum lot size of 25 feet to 33 feet, allowing front loading driveways without shared access.

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