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continued from http://goo.gl/Z1ac
JS
The new ordinance was developed with input from the Houston Association of Realtors, the Greater Houston Builders Association, Houstonians for Responsible Growth and various other stakeholders. The opposition from Heights area realtors is just fear mongering.
CM
The Houston Association of Realtors input was to provide a process in which neighborhoods could remove themselves from the HPO. Can you elaborate on all the input you think the Houston Association of Realtors and the Greater Houston Builder’s Association contributed to the ordinance that was accepted? That would be meaningful.
It is not fear mongering. I can’t speak for other Heights area Realtors, but I am against the ordinance because of what I feel it will do to our neighborhood and I am entitled to my opinion.
Wondering how it might progress over the years after the October 13th HPO, I decided to drive around the Old 6th Ward. I used to drive around it when I looked to buy my first home in 1997. I LOVE the homes there and being a single young woman at the time, the small size of most was not an issue for me. But I ultimately decided on a neighborhood nearby that made me feel a little safer.
I drove through this historic district this week. After being a district for 12 years, and a “protected district” since 2007, meaning no 90 day waiting period if your COA is not granted, I felt like it looked pretty much the same as 2007. I am sure it isn’t the same, but most houses were dilapidated and there were an inordinately high number of vacant lots in my opinion. Why? If being a historic district is supposed to make property values increase, why didn’t it happen there? And why since the death of the 90 day waiting period are Realtors now noting in Houston Heights listings in the MLS that a home is NOT in the historic district? Why?
JS
They suggest deed restrictions or their own type of historic regulations but not one has lifted a finger to deed restrict more properties or file a lot size or setback application. The same will be true once this campaign is over. Their statements to the contrary are cover for their intense opposition to protections they don't want you to have.
CM
I’m not sure what you are talking about here so I don’t quite know how to respond. Naturally I have issues with these last three sentences. As you have been the co-chair of the Houston Heights Association Land Use Committee for the past several years, I might ask you the same.
Kudos to you for being instrumental and successful in passing Historic District designations for some of our Houston Heights areas. But the issue is the bait and switch. The Historic District designation worked well for our area until they removed the 90 day waiting period which eliminated a home owner’s ability to circumvent the subjective process of obtaining a COA from the HAHC.
I propose the blue sign people and the yellow sign people work together to arrive at a solution that will not stifle our growth. Want to see what is happening in regards to our growth? Read this post from the Heights Kids Group. I have been describing this change for years as a wave of children about to enter our Heights area schools and it is a big wave. Now through Heights Kids Group own tracking, some numbers can actually be put to the size of that wave so you can see how big it is. Read their post at http://goo.gl/BviZ.
JS
Read the ordinance and call the city for the accurate information.
CM
On this we can agree upon. That is why I included a link to the ordinance on every blog post and where appropriate, links to the city’s website. In addition, talk to people who have been through the process!
To see the rest of the post which touched on dilapidated homes and what this means for them, visit http://goo.gl/fUBN.
