SUBJECT: Motion establishing a date for a public hearing on the proposal to use approximately 0.0323 acre (1,405 square feet) of Bayou Greenways for a variable width utility corridor.
RECOMMENDATION: (SUMMARY) Approve a motion establishing a date for a public hearing on the proposal to use approximately 0.0323 acre (1,405 square feet) of Bayou Greenways for a variable width utility corridor in conjunction with the replacement of an existing 24-inch water line aerial crossing along W. Tidwell at Halls Bayou.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: The City acquired approximately 4.933 acres of land (Parcel BY15-078, the “BG Parcel”) as part of Bayou Greenways, an integrated system of connected linear parks with walking, running and bicycle trails along the City’s major bayous. Houston Public Works has identified the need for the replacement of an existing water line along Tidwell Road at Halls Bayou. However, due to design specifications, a new water line cannot be placed in the location of the existing water line. HPW recommends replacing the existing water line by constructing a new 24-inch water line by aerial crossing near the vicinity of the existing water line, which requires the use of approximately 0.0323 acre (or 1,405 square feet) of the BG Parcel for a variable width utility corridor (Parcel KY19-292, the “Utility Corridor”). The area of the proposed Utility Corridor will encompass the new water line aerial crossing, and the space needed to build and maintain it.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 26 requires the City to publish three public notices and hold a public hearing prior to authorizing the use or taking of park land for non-park purposes. Notices will be published in the Houston Chronicle on March 1, 2021, March 8, 2021, and March 15, 2021. The proposed date of the public hearing is Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. virtually via Microsoft Teams. At a later date, an ordinance will be presented to Council to make findings relating to the public hearing.
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Kenneth Allen, Interim Director
Houston Parks and Recreation Department
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Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E., Director
Houston Public Works
WBS No. S-000701-0024-3