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, Near Northside II, and Riverside Terrace. The ordinance contains provisions for a citizen petition procedure to extend restrictions to other areas of the city.
The Museum Park Super Neighborhood Council, on behalf of residents and property owners in the Museum Park area, submitted a petition to the City Secretary to extend the Civility Ordinance to their neighborhood. In compliance with the procedures set forth in Section 40-353 of the Code of Ordinances, the Planning and Development Department has certified that the petition meets the required criteria. The proposed boundary is bordered by Palm Street and Southwest Freeway (59/69) to the north, South Freeway (288) to the east, Herman Drive to the south, and Main Street and Fannin Street to the west. The petitioned area abuts the Midtown Area on the north and the Riverside Terrace Area on the southeast.
City Council conducted the required public hearing on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, wherein the Planning and Development Department presented its report on the petition request to extend the provisions of the Civility Ordinance to the Museum Park area. The report prepared by the Houston Police Department as required by the ordinance indicates the existence of incidents of criminal misconduct prohibited under the Civility Ordinance within the petitioned Museum Park 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 Museum Park.
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Vonn Tran
Director
Planning and Development Department