MONTHLY PLANNER
January 2017
Your monthly updates from the
Planning & Development Department
In This Issue
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Happy New Year from P&D!
Planning Dept. Staff ~ Dec. 2016
Approximately 90 employees staff the Planning and Development Department (Dec.2016)
 
As we begin a new year, be on the look out for the department's Annual Report in February which will provide a full scope of department services, 2016 highlights, and projects scheduled for roll-out in 2017.

Two New Committees Formed-
Walkable Places and Platting Standards
Walkable Places

The Planning Commission has created two committees - Walkable Places and Platting Standards - to review and consider potential changes to the Code of Ordinances pertaining to walkability and platting. These two committees will be chaired by members of the Commission and consist of a broad-spectrum of stakeholders from the community.
 
We invite you to attend the monthly meetings to follow the committee's work in the development of recommended changes to the Code of Ordinances.  Both committees will begin meeting next week in the City Hall Annex Chambers located at 900 Bagby Street, Public Level, Houston TX 77002.
 
Walkable Places Committee
Will consider issues and potential revisions to Chapter 26 and 42 related to planning environments that facilitate walking, and create amenities for the public. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11th, 2017 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
 
Platting Standards Committee
Will consider issues and potential revisions to Chapter 42 platting standards and related ordinance changes. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for Thursday, January 12th, 2017 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
 
Information about both committees will be posted on the Planning and Development Department website (www.houstonplanning.com), including meeting agendas, minutes, progress updates, videos, and opportunities to participate in the process.
2017 Commission and Committee Schedule
The master schedule of known Planning Commissions, Boards, and Committee meetings is listed below. All meetings take place at the City Hall Annex Council Chambers located at 900 Bagby Street, Public Level Houston, TX 77002. Please check our website for any updates throughout the year. In addition, we'll be posting progress updates, action items, and opportunities for comments at www.houstonplanning.com

HPAB
Historic Preservation Appeals Board
TC
Tower Commission
PYP
Prohibited Yard Parking Board
HAHC
Houston Archeological and Historic Commission
PC
Planning Commission
WP
Walkable Streets Committee (New)
PS
Platting Standards Committee (New)


HPAB
and TC
4th Monday 
3:30 pm
(as needed)
PYP

3rd or 4th Wednesday

3:00 pm
(as needed)  
HAHC

Last Thursday of the Month 

3:00 pm 
PC

Alternating Thursdays


2:30 pm
WP

First or Second Wednesday

4:00 pm 
PS

First or Second
Thursday

4:00 pm  
Jan 23 
Jan 25
Jan 26
Jan 5 and 19
Jan 11
Jan 12
Feb 27
Feb 15 or 22
Feb 23
Feb 2 and 16
Feb 8
Feb 9
March 27
March
15 or 22 
March 23
March 2,
16, and 30 
March 8
March 9
April 24
April
19 or 26 
April 20
April
13 and 27 
April 5
April 6
May 22
May
17 or 24 
May 18
May
11 and 25
May 3
May 4
June 26
June
21 or 28 
June 15
June
8 and 22 
May 31
June 1
July 24
July 19 
July 26
(Wednesday) 
July 13,
20, and 27 
July 5
July 12
( Wednesday
Aug 28
Aug 16
Aug 23
(Wednesday) 
Aug 10, 17,
and 24 
Aug 2
Aug 9
( Wednesday
Sept 25
Sept
13 or 20 
Sept 21
Sept
14 and 28 
Sept 6
Sept 7
Oct 23
Oct 18 or 25
Oct 19
Oct
12 and 28
Oct 4
(PSEFI) 
Oct 5
Nov 20 
Nov
15 or 22 
Nov 16
Nov 
9 and 30 
Nov 1
(optional) 
Nov 2
Dec 18
Dec 20
Dec 13 
(Wednesday) 
Dec 14
Dec 6
(optional) 
Dec 7
(optional)  



Jan 4, 2018


A Look at Our Planners: They Plan to Match
Development Services Staff
Development Services Staff

Have you noticed a common look, with the City of Houston's Planning staff at Planning Commission meetings? One by one, members of staff approach the podium to address the Commission, most of who are wearing something of the same color as the speaker before them. You may joke to yourself: looks like they all got the memo to wear blue.

Well... yes, we did get the memo. Just for fun, staff has created color themes for each Planning Commission meeting. What started as an idea of two Planners to unify the office under a common look has evolved into a fun tradition for staff, and sometimes even the Planning Commission! On what can be a hectic day of meeting preparation, staff also enjoys getting together briefly, at the start of each Commission day, to compare and contrast their adherence to the color theme of the day.

The next time you watch or attend a Planning Commission meeting and notice that staff is wearing the same color, know that it is not a coincidence. Like everything we do in the Planning Department, it was planned.
Planning and Development Key Contacts
Community & Regional Planning - Planner of the Day
  
Department General Assistance
  
Development Services - Planner of the Day
  
GIS Information Mapping & Analysis
  
Historic Preservation Hotline

Permitting - 1002 Washington Office
  
Public Information/Media Requests
(832) 393-6533 or planningdepartment@houstontx.gov 
  
Transportation Planning

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