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Chapter 42 Revisions Provide Tools for Residential Re-Development in Southwest Houston
 Two weeks ago, the City Council adopted amendments to Chapter 42 of the City's Code of Ordinances that will extend to the entire City many of the provisions that have contributed to single family residential re-development located inside Loop 610 during the past two decades.
Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances is a technical ordinance that outlines the rules for the subdivision and development of land within the corporate limits of the City of Houston and Houston's extra-territorial jurisdiction. All property within the jurisdiction of Houston's development review authority is subject to the rules of this ordinance.
The adopted amendments are designed to create more flexibility within our City's development regulations. The changes are intended to create more affordable housing options inside the city limits and improve the City's ability to compete with areas outside the city limits for new residents.
In short, the adopted amendments provide mechanisms to establish a minimum lot size, establish street rights-of-way width and setback lines, and provide for dedicated and extended streets. In collaboration with the Super Neighborhood Alliance and the Greater Houston Builders Association the amendments have been crafted to mitigate many issues related to increased density such as storm water and drainage management. Construction projects will be required to have adequate drainage infrastructure.
How these proposed changes will affect our neighborhoods will be in large part dependent upon the status of deed restrictions within neighborhoods. Neighborhood protection tools have been drafted into the ordinance. However, every neighborhood must actively participate in taking advantage of those tools.
All civic and home owners association officers and super neighborhood and community leaders are invited to attend a workshop explaining the changes, hosted by the Planning Department and your District J Office. The meeting geared toward District J neighborhoods will take place on Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 pm at the Sharpstown Community Center. For other workshop dates, please click here. All workshops are open to the public.
The workshop will present information about the scope of Chapter 42's provisions, how the newly adopted amendments might affect our neighborhoods, the timeline for implementation for the new amendments, and what tools are available to protect the character of our neighborhoods.
It is my sincere hope that the changes to Chapter 42 will provide market-based incentives for the construction of affordable single family homes, thereby jump-starting residential re-development in Southwest Houston. I believe that increasing home ownership is the best way to protect our quality of life and to strengthen and protect our neighborhoods.
- Mike Laster, Council Member - District J
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UHD Litter Pick Up
 The University of Houston Downtown Student Government Association is joining the movement in litter abatement in District J. On Saturday, May 4, volunteers from UHD will pick up litter and trash along the 6300 block of Windswept near the Bering Ditch from 10am to noon. A Guatemalan community organization, the Comite Civico Multicultural de Houston, will participate as well.
"As a part of Student Government Association and a chair of the Community Outreach Committee I believe in empowering the community. After just randomly driving by the area and seeing its condition, fellow UHD student Ivan Sanchez and I knew that we should do something about it. We reached out to City Council Member Mike Laster to see if there was something we could do as part of a joint effort to change the condition of the area. It turned out that this area has been on a lot of people's radar and he was very happy to help us help this community. We are very excited about the project and hope that we can change the culture of the area into one of environmental consciousness," said John Locke, UHD Senator of University College.
Council Member Laster said that he is "so proud that these young leaders of Houston have stepped forward to become caretakers of our community. Their spirit of community outreach and environmental stewardship are inspirational. I hope that other groups and organizations in District J and Houston will join us in making and keeping our neighborhoods beautiful."
The District J office and the Student Government Association welcome all volunteers who would like to participate in the day's activities.
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Sharpstown Fine Arts Gala TONIGHT
 The Sharpstown High School Fine Arts Department would like to invite you and your family to the Sharpstown Fine Arts Gala. Here you will see the works of aspiring artists through musical performances, a theatre festival, visual arts gallery, and a dance recital.
The Gala will include performances from The Sharpstown High School Band's Latin Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, Drumline, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band, and Winter Guard. The Theatre Department will be hosting a Shakespeare Festival that includes technical theatre presentations and Shakespeare monologue and scene performances. The Visual Arts Department will have an interactive art gallery and the Dance Department will showcase their talents through a dance recital.
The Sharpstown Fine Arts Gala will take place on Friday May 3, 2013 on the campus of Sharpstown High School beginning at 7:00 pm and ending at 9:00 pm.
General Admission to the Gala is $2 per person. VIP Admission is only $5 and includes premium seating at all 4 event locations, snacks, drinks, and departmental goodies.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or reserved by calling The Sharpstown High School Theatre Department at 713-773-6127.
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You Can Help Reduce Street Flooding
 Last month's rains caused many streets in Southwest Houston to flood. While the amount of rain was beyond control, here are some tips to help prevent and alleviate street flooding in your area:
- Keeping drain grates, ditches and culverts clear of leaves, grass clippings, litter, and other debris.
- If you use a lawn service, ask them to take care to keep clippings and leaves out of the storm drains.
- If you think your street's storm drains are clogged, call 311 to request an inspection by Public Works. Do not attempt to clean inside the storm drains.
- Take steps to prevent sand, dirt, silt, and other debris from construction areas from flowing into the storm drains.
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First Annual Willow Waterhole Jazz Festival - RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 5
The Willow Waterhole JazzFest was cancelled due to inclement weather and has been rescheduled for Sunday, May 5 from noon to 8pm.
To learn more, visit www.wwgc.org or click here for the event flyer. |
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District J Spotlight: 21st Annual Gulfton Festival & Parade - May 18
 Gulfton Citizen's Advisory Council, Gulfton Youth Development and Gulfton Houston Police Department Storefront invite you to the 21st Annual Gulfton Festival and Parade sponsored by Kroger.
The parade begins at 11am on Saturday, May 18, and will travel along Gulfton from Benavidez Elementary to the festival located at Burnett Bayland Park, 6200 Chimney Rock, Houston, Texas 77081.
The Gulfton Citizen's Advisory Council is made up of members of the Gulfton Community whose goal is to raise funds to support The Gulfton Houston Police Department Storefront.
Please visit www.gulftonfestival.org or email gulftonfestival@gmail.com for more information. |
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Upcoming Events
 Please refer to the Community Events Calendar on our website for time, location and other event details.
New events are added every week. Be sure to check in often!
May 4
-
4th Annual Educational, Health and Community Resources Fair
- Alief International Kite Festival
- ECHOS/Texas Security Shredding: Certified Shredding & Computer Recycling
May 5
- Cinco de Mayo
- Easter/Pascha (Eastern Orthodox)
- St. Francis de Sales Bazaar
- Willow Waterhole Jazz Festival (rescheduled)
May 6
- Braeburn Super Neighborhood Meeting
May 8
- Gulfton Area Service Provider Luncheon
May 9
- Braeburn Valley West Board Meeting
May 11
May 12
- Mother's Day
- Celebracion Del Dia De La Madre
May 13
- GSMD Business & Economic Development Committee Meeting
- Mid West Super Neighborhood #20 Meeting
May 14
- AARP Chapter 50 Meeting
- Brays Oaks Management District Bi-Monthly Breakfast Meeting
May 15
- GSMD Environmental & Urban Design Committee Meeting
- Midwest PIP Meeting
- Shavout (Jewish) - through 5/16
May 16
- District J Chapter 42 Workshop
- Westside PIP Meeting
May 17
- Asian Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Conversation with Ed Wulfe
- Mini Court Clinic at Southwest MSC
May 18
- Gulfton Festival & Parade
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