The Civility Ordinance in Sections 40-352 and 40-353 of the City Code was created to provide law enforcement more authority to help preserve and maintain the openness of sidewalks in designated areas. The proposed ordinance aims to balance the needs of the community with the rights of individuals and considers certain exceptions for medical emergencies, disabilities and other circumstances as specified under the code.
In areas designated by the ordinance, persons are prohibited from sitting or lying down on sidewalks and placing personal items on a sidewalk between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. It is currently applicable to the Central Business District, Midtown, Old Sixth Ward, Avondale, Greater Hyde Park, East Downtown Management District, Historic Near Northside, South Post Oak/West Bellfort, and Near Northside II. The ordinance contains provisions for a citizen petition procedure to extend the restrictions to other areas of the City.
The Riverside Terrace community filed a petition with the City Secretary as set forth in the Civility Ordinance, seeking to extend its terms to a designated area within their neighborhood. The proposed area encompasses the Riverside Terrace area, which is bounded by major streets and landmarks. The northern boundary of the area is Blodgett Street. The eastern boundary is defined by the Columbia Tap Trail. The boundary extends southward to South MacGregor Way, while to the western boundary is the South Freeway (SH 288).
City Council conducted the required Public Hearing on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, wherein the Houston Police Department (HPD) presented its report indicating the existence of incidents of criminal misconduct prohibited under the Civility Ordinance within the petitioned Riverside Terrace area. Based on HPD’s report and public testimony at the hearing, this matter is presented to City Council to consider adopting the proposed ordinance to extend provisions of the Civility Ordinance to Riverside Terrace.
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Jennifer Ostlind, AICP
Interim Director
Planning and Development Department