Developers and homeowners might be able to opt-out of the Houston’s sidewalk ordinance under legislation under consideration by the Houston City Council this week.
The city of Houston is considering a “sidewalk-in-lieu-fee” that would allow homeowners and developers to pay a price to opt-out of the city’s sidewalk ordinance, according to an article by Yilun Cheng paywalled by the Houston Chronicle.
“Under current regulations, property owners and developers are required to build a sidewalk in front of a property unless the project meets certain exemptions,” according to Cheng. “With the new measure, applicants can choose to pay a fee of $12 per square foot if the required sidewalk construction is unsuitable or unfeasible. The fees would go into a new fund, which is expected to generate $1.7 million a year for the city to build sidewalks in a cohesive manner.”
The ordinance would split the city into 17 areas—70 percent of sidewalk-in-lieu-fees collected in each area would be allocated in the same area. The remaining 30 percent could be used citywide. David Fields, chief transportation planner at the Houston Planning and Development Department, is quoted in the article saying the fee system is intended to balance the need for sidewalk projects throughout Houston.
According to the Greater Houston Builders Association, which has advocated for the $12 per square foot fee, “a large tree, a drainage system or an open ditch” can sometimes make it implausible to build a sidewalk in front of a house. Greater Houston Builders Association Chief Executive Officer Aimee Bertrand is quoted in the article saying the fee will help bring down the cost of housing in the city.
FULL STORY: Houston's plan to avoid orphan sidewalks would let developers opt out of building them
Houston Mayor Pauses Complete Streets Projects
The move raises concerns among road safety advocates who point out that traffic deaths continue to rise.
The Struggle for a Walkable Houston
Houston is fighting itself on walkability. While some build sidewalks and benches, parking minimums and outdated policies hold the city back.
Portland Council Tentatively Approves Sidewalk Repair Plan
The proposal would address sidewalk needs in Portland’s District 1 and District 4.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling
An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)