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Step One:
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New laws offer protection to all neighborhoods in the loop. Now it is up to you and there is no time to loose. |
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HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BLOCK AND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
As of March, 2007
These new laws are a direct result of the efforts of our efforts, but we are not done. This is just a first step.
Now it is up to you to use these tools!
For an excellent description of what has changed, read this Houston Chronicle article
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/heights/news/4682532.html
First - Find out what deed restrictions you may already have. Look at the deed to your home and/or ask your homeowners association or civic club for their help. The new ordinance may or may not help people who already have deed restrictions and prevailing lot size and building set back BUT if you find that the new law will increase the minimum sizes for your block, you may apply under the new rules. Otherwise, all current restriction remain in place - no one looses anything.
Apart from deed restrictions, a small number of blocks already have some protections:
Blocks that currently have prevailing lot size http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/DevelopmentRegs/prevail_lot_04.htmPrevailing building line http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/DevelopmentRegs/PrevBldgLnStatus.htm
To Protect Your Neighborhood Under the New Rules:
Information/application - scroll down to "News Flash" http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/
Read it through. If you have a homeowners group, find out if others want to work on this as a community project.
Two block faces (the houses that face each other on a block) will apply together, but if necessary, one side of the street may apply alone.
The Planning and Development Department has asked me to spread this message - before you gather signatures, please contact P&D to make sure that your application is ACCURATE! Call 713-837-7701 to talk with a planner. Two staff memebers have been assigned to assist us - don't hesitate to use their expertise.
Good luck and please forward this information to everyone you know in the loop!
Sheila Sorvari
Founder, Save The Bungalows
info@savethebungalows.org
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