On May 28, 2020, the Houston Planning Commission unanimously approved the proposed Walkable Places and Transit-Oriented Development Ordinances to encourage pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development with an enhanced, walkable public realm along certain urban corridors, light rails and the Rapid Bus Transit routes. The existing Transit Corridor Development performance standards in Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances limit development flexibility and have not created enough incentives for transit-oriented development. The proposed enhanced pedestrian realm standards in Chapter 42 amend some of the current standards to allow more development flexibility. The proposed standards will guide new development and redevelopment along officially designated Walkable Places Streets and Transit Oriented Development Streets. They are related to pedestrian realm design as well as building and site design.
The proposed ordinances will benefit property owners by allowing more buildable area and adjusting parking requirements, benefit pedestrians by creating safer and more walkable streetscapes and public spaces, and benefit neighborhoods by creating an activated area with more eyes on the street. Chapter 212 of the Texas Local Government Code requires City Council to hold a public hearing before adopting an ordinance amending Chapter 42 of the City Code of Ordinances. Under Chapter 212 (Sec.212.002 and 212.044), city council may adopt rules governing plats, subdivisions and development plats after a public hearing on the matter. Those rules include right-of-way width, building line, street classification, and pedestrian realm standards.
The Planning and Development Department recommends setting a public hearing date of July 22, 2020.
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Margaret Wallace Brown
Planning Director, AICP
Planning and Development Department