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February 2022
City Council Votes To Extend More Space: Main Street
Restaurants and bars participating in the More Space: Main Street initiative can continue offering expanded outdoor seating thanks to a program extension approved by City Council. The program has been extended through March 31, 2023 or the end of all City-adopted COVID directives, whichever is later. More Space: Main Street closes portions of Main Street from Commerce Street to Rusk Street to vehicle traffic and allows restaurants and bars that front Main Street to use that reclaimed space as an outdoor dining area.

“The program has temporarily transformed seven blocks of main street,” District 1 Council Member Robert Gallegos said during the Feb. 2 City Council meeting. “I encourage my colleagues to see how popular these spaces are, especially on the evenings and weekends.”
Cherry Bar, 308 Main Street
Participating businesses include Little Dipper, Shay McElroy’s, Flying Saucer, and Finn Hall. Each of these businesses have built additional outdoor spaces to accommodate patrons. Cherry Bar, located at 308 Main St., is the latest establishment to complete their outdoor space. This effort is a partnership between the City of Houston, Downtown District, and METRO.
Livable Places Discusses Conservation Districts, Secondary Unit Size and Parking Requirements
The Livable Places Action Committee Feb. 8 meeting covered a range of topics from Conservation Districts to secondary dwelling unit size limitations and parking minimums. The Committee discussed the draft copy of Conservation Districts. Their feedback will help staff clarify next steps to initiate an application and define the characteristics of a Conservation District area.

Committee members expressed their support for eliminating the size limitation on detached secondary dwelling units and agreed that parking could be based on the size of the unit. Overall, the Committee voiced support for eliminating parking minimums when the development is in close proximity to other modes of transit.
Join us for the next virtual meeting on Tuesday, March 8 at 2:30 p.m. The Committee will discuss lot widths, lot access to streets as well as small lot developments to promote a variety of development types.
View the meeting details at letstalkhouston.org/livable-places.
Video: Understanding Neighborhood Preservation Tools
The Community and Regional Planning Division staff presented the "Understanding Neighborhood Preservation Tools" virtual workshop on Feb. 16. The presentation, which drew more than 100 participants, explained how tools like Minimum Lot Size and Minimum Building Line, deed restrictions and historic districts can help residents preserve the existing lot size, prevent incompatible development, and ensure that future buildings conform to existing building lines. Watch the video for the English presentation, or join us for the Spanish presentation at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 2.
Map of the Month: 2020 Census Demographics
Click the image for an expanded view of this dot density 2020 Census demographics map produced by our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team.
MTFP Deadlines & Rescheduled HAHC
Annually, the City produces the Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP). The City listens to developers and neighborhoods about issues including congestion, mobility and future development plans and identifies sections of roadways that are in need of expansion, either by lengthening or widening. Applications are due March 4, 2022. For more information please visit the MTFP website. 
Due to technical difficulties, the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby Street, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 2 at 2:30 p.m. at the same location. Watch the live stream on facebook.com/HoustonPlanning and find meeting details on the HAHC website.