ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE XVI, CHAPTER 40, CODE OF ORDINANCES, HOUSTON, TEXAS, by adding an area within and surrounding Magnolia Park Area between Avenue B to 74th Street to Sherman to 75th Street to Avenue B to E. Navigation Street to Baltimore Street to Woodvale Street to Alton Street to Pineview Drive to Capitol Street to S. 75th Street to Brays Bayou to Brays Bayou Greenway Trail to S. 69th Street to S. Wayside to Union Pacific Railway Galveston Sub to Union Pacific East Belt Sub ending at Avenue B as a Designated Area covered by such Article - DISTRICT I - MARTINEZ

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, Riverside Terrace and Museum Park. The ordinance contains provisions for a citizen petition procedure to extend restrictions to other areas of the city.

The East End Management District on behalf of residents and property owners in the Magnolia Park area has 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 Hughes Street on the east, E Navigation Blvd on the west, Avenue B along the north, and Union Pacific Railroad and Baltimore Street along the south, with portions abutting Brays Bayou.

City Council conducted the required public hearing on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, wherein the Planning and Development Department presented its report on the petition request to extend the provisions of the Civility Ordinance to the Magnolia 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 Magnolia 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 Magnolia Park.

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Vonn Tran
Director
Planning and Development Department