Land Use Committee Meeting
March 4, 2019 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Monday’s Land Use Meeting: Addressing Concerns over Proposed Multi-Family Developments
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Hear the latest plans, including how the developers hope to address neighborhood concerns.
Monday, March 4th
Houston Heights Fire Station
107 W. 12th Street
6:30 PM |
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| Locations for 2 proposed multi-family developments in relation to Heights Fire Station |
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We hope you’ll join us for a very important Land Use Committee Meeting this Monday, March 4th!
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Don’t worry, you don’t have to be on the committee to attend. This meeting is open to all! We’ll be discussing concerns over proposed two separate multi-family developments in our neighborhood, one on the corner of E. 4th & Columbia and one on 6th 1/2 & Oxford. We will even have representatives from Urban Genesis, the developers of the latter project.
402 Columbia
We understand that Brinshore Development’s proposed 60-unit affordable housing apartment complex at 402 Columbia has been a hot topic, and we have been happy to serve as liaison between the developer and neighborhood stakeholders. HHA President called a special Board Meeting on Monday, February 25th where the Board voted to weigh in on the project’s application for a Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs tax credit.
The Leader wrote a comprehensive article just the other day explaining the back and forth the past few months between Brinshore Development and many of our members living south of White Oak and on the east side of Houston Heights. Separately, many of those neighbors have worked hard to submit a Special Minimum Lot Size Area application to the City of Houston Planning & Development Department, which may also affect the plans for the now up to 60-unit development. |
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| In an effort to address the nearby resident concerns about possible strains on density, infrastructure, and traffic, Brinshore has already agreed to reduc the number of units for the complex from 120 to a maximum of 60, has said they will reserve one of the lots in the tract for greenspace or an art installation, and will discourage on-street parking from its tenants and guests. You can read all about these efforts in their proposed Good Neighbor Agreement. |
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6th 1/2 & Oxford
The other development we will be focused on at Monday’s meeting is Urban Genesis’ proposed 66-unit apartment complex at 6th ½ and Oxford. Representatives from Urban Genesis will be joining us to address concerns over their proposed development. Our neighbors’ major concerns with this development as we have heard them are similar to those on Columbia. Residents along those blocks already express concerns about overflow on-street parking due to the (thriving and very welcome!) nearby retail, restaurants, and bars along White Oak, and the concern here is that this development will make this issue worse.
Urban Genesis has said that they are modeling this project to cater to more multimodal urbanites who demand less parking. Thus they have applied to the Planning Commission for an on-street parking variance to have less parking than required, will have an “Uber Lounge” in the complex, and will offer leases that don’t include a parking space. They have proposed 74 actual spots (73 garage spots and 1 surface spot) for their 66 units. Urban Genesis has also stated that they would want to work with the City to purchase the unused alley on the southern end of their proposed development and turn it into greenspace.
These two proposed developments could play a major role in how our neighborhood takes shape in the coming years so this is not just a meeting for those who live near the developments or those interested in housing options in Houston Heights moving forward. Really, it’s for anyone invested in the future of the neighborhood as a whole. This is a wonderful opportunity to come have your voice heard and clarify any misinformation! |
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Comments can be directed to Land Use Committee by email at landuse@houstonheights.org
