July 2025

At left, Planning Department staff members Devin Crittle and Jacinta Davis at the Sunnyside Super Neighborhood workshop. At right, staff members Jacinta Davis and Tonya Sawyer at the Choice Neighborhoods Public Engagement meeting.

Sunnyside Super Neighborhood Workshop:

On July 24, the Planning Department recently attended the Sunnyside Super Neighborhood meeting to lead an engaging community workshop highlighting the department’s wide range of services, including neighborhood protection tools. Staff provided an overview of current planning programs, including Planning Commission, Minimum Lot Size/Building Line, and Historic Preservation. The workshop allowed community members to ask questions, voice concerns, and learn how to get more involved in shaping their neighborhoods. Planning staff demonstrated to attendees how to use the City’s MapViewer tool as a resource and discussed upcoming opportunities for residents to participate in shaping long-term plans. Overall, the meeting strengthened the departments relationship with Sunnyside stakeholders and emphasized the importance of collaborative planning. The department remains committed to working closely with super neighborhoods like Sunnyside to ensure planning efforts align with local priorities and empower residents to help shape future development in their community.

Choice Neighborhoods Public Engagement:

The Planning Department recently supported a public engagement meeting at Cuney Homes, hosted by the Houston Housing Authority and the City’s Housing and Community Development Department. As part of the Implementation Phase of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, the meeting focused on sharing updates with residents about Critical Community Improvements (CCI) projects, including enhancements to infrastructure, public spaces, and community services. Residents were invited to provide feedback, ask questions, and ensure the projects reflect their needs and priorities. Meanwhile, the Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan process is kicking off in Irvington Village through a collaborative effort led by the Houston Housing Authority. Partner organizations include LISC, Avenue CDC, the Planning Department, and master planner LRK. At the initial meeting, residents discussed their vision for the future of Irvington Village, offering ideas on housing, safety, services, and connectivity. The two day meetings, July 16 and 17, emphasize the importance of community-led planning and ensure that revitalization efforts are rooted in local voices.

30-Day Single-Family Residential Permit Pilot Program

The City of Houston’s 2025 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP) amendment request process is underway. Mark your calendar for these important upcoming dates: 

• August 21 - MTFP Application Update
• September 18 - MTFP Recommendation Meeting

*meetings will be held In-Person Only - 1:00 p.m. in City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby Street, Public Level

The MTFP is a long-range right-of-way plan to preserve adequate ROW for the orderly and efficient expansion of the transportation network. The purpose of the MTFP is to preserve mobility and ensure safe and efficient development of the roadway system.

The Houston Office of Preservation in conjunction with Stantec, present the plan to survey a 4 block portion of Lyons Avenue to some residents of the Fifth Ward community. The meeting was held on July 31 to inform the residents of what it means to be nominated for a National Register of Historic Places. The residents were engaging with staff and informed the Houston Office of Preservation about other areas of the neighborhood that they would like to have considered in the future. For more information, visit Historic Preservation: Lyons Avenue

This summer, the Planning and Development Department participated in the City of Houston Summer Jobs program. The program provides internships to students who might be interested in working for the government at the local level. The Planning interns assisted in the following department divisions:

• GIS
• Development Services
• Historic Preservation Office
• Community Planning
• Records Management

In addition, they attended various meetings, including City Council, Planning Commission, Houston Archaeological Historic Commission, and Historic Preservation Appeals Board. 

From left to right standing, Joshua Cororve (senior at Macalester College), William Genitempo (graduate from Texas State University), Benjamin Valdes (senior at St. Thomas HS), Michaela Dixon-Peltier (grad student, Texas Southern University).

From left to right seated, Laura Lopez (senior University of North Texas), Sanskriti Atti (freshman at Shadow Creek HS) and Alexis Chambers (senior at Shadow Creek HS). 

Department Resources:

Public Engagement | Activity Reports | Planning Publications | Press Releases |Subscribe for Updates

611 Walker Street, 6th Floor,

Houston, TX 77002 

832-393-6600

www.houstonplanning.com

planningdepartment@houstontx.gov