Councilmember Lewis added an agenda item to the September 13, 2022, City Council meeting to call a joint workshop and public hearing before the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Zoning districts under discussion would be the CMU, UV-D, and UV-T.
The Mayor managed to sideline her request for a workshop on three zoning ordinances with a substute motion to schedule a joint workshop with P&Z to initiate a review of the 122 page Comprehensive Plan. The Council voted 6 to 1 to approve. The workshop will hopefully be held within the next month.
Meanwhile the big players, like Houston Methodist, can pursue their options for multi-story buildings and parking garages on the old Randalls site. Another location still in play is Christ Church Presbyterian on the southeast corner of Bellaire Blvd at South Rice, currently zoned R-4 (residential). Continue reading →
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On September 8, 2022, members of the Planning and Zoning Commission were treated to a conceptual presentation for a Planned Development, a medical office building on the old Randalls grocery store site.
At right are three options proposed by Page Architects. If you think H-E-B is oppressive, how about a 5-story building and the adjacent 5-story garage, bordering Bellaire Blvd and Bissonnet per Option 1?
What would this sort of development say about our town, how does it relate to that pedestrian friendly downtown with those small cafes and boutiques, touted in the UV-D ordinance and in the most recent Comprehensive Plan?
The medical buildings (MOB) are the white ones. The grey ones are the parking garages. There are few structures less attractive than a parking garage, but none of the proposals would serve to improve Bellaire’s image. P&Z members seemed lukewarm to the idea of medical buildings and parking garages on that site.
This table at left lists what is currently allowed or not allowed in the UV-D. Note that a height of 79 feet is allowed as a Planned Development in the UV-D if approved by City Council. Up to 90% site coverage! There would seem to be plenty of locations in this area that are better suited to this type of development.
Instead of multi-story wall-to-wall structures, why not pursue a development similar to the 2-story remodeled Town Center located on Bellaire Blvd and South Rice Avenue? With surface parking only and walkable, with outdoor spaces and beautiful landscaping.
No other affluent city in this area allows a 3 to 5 story building in the center of their downtown. West University limits building height to 35 feet, Southside Place allows tall buildings along the south side of Bellaire Blvd, backing up to Houston. (See map at left.)
Isn’t it time for Bellaire’s City Council to listen to the residents? Council can suggest that the the Randalls site be rezoned to at least align with the CMU, then go a few steps further. Limit building height to 2-stories or 35 or 40 feet, surface parking only, no parking underneath a building. Require at least a 15 foot setback and greenspace. This location should be a showplace, a park, not a parking garage.
Please email concerns or questions to the Mayor and members of City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov. Let Council know what you think.
Posted inHome|Comments Off on Houston Methodist Architect’s Presentation For A PD On The Randalls Site
Realty News Report’s Michelle Smith reports that the Randall’s space at 5130 Bellaire Blvd has been leased by a group associated with Houston Methodist Hospital. Find the article here.
The old grocery store, erected in the 1950s, would be demolished to make room for a 4-story building full of medical facilities including a surgery center. The site is in the UV-D, Urban-Village Downtown District, and if approved will certainly put an end to any small-town or ‘village’ feel in that area.
In fact, when this area was rezoned in 2014 a “small-town feel” was part of the City’s promotion to rezone these areas. Read the item at left. Instead it’s zoned with zero setbacks and minimum 30 foot tall buildings.
It’s hard to imagine any other affluent community allowing these large developments in the center of town or directly adjacent to residences. If they are permitted at all they are on the periphery, as in West University and Southside Place. But the Mayor seems to feel a 4-story building will fulfill the plan for urban development in Bellaire’s original downtown. No doubt it also will lead to an increase in traffic. Continue reading →
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After the completion of the new Bellaire High School and the ball fields at Bissonnet and Avenue B, the Houston Independent School District is not happy with Bellaire’s sign ordinances. An HISD representative is scheduled to appear before the Board of Adjustment on Thursday, September 15, 2022, due to the denial of sign permits per City Ordinances as follows:
Maximum number of one sign per institution at Bellaire High School, 5100 Maple Sr., per Section 24-1012 (A)(3)(a).
Installation of a 576 square foot scoreboard sign at the Bellaire High School Baseball Fields, located in an R-3 residential zone at 6300 Avenue B, per Section 24-1003 (55).
A 14-foot tall monument sign at Bellaire High School which exceeds the maximum 8-foot height allowed per Section 24-1012 (B)(1)(c).
What do you think about HISD’s efforts to circumvent our zoning ordinances?
Please email concerns or questions to the Mayor and members of City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov. Let Council know what you think.
Posted inHome|Comments Off on HISD Requests Variances For Sign Ordinances: Board of Adjustment Sept. 15, 2022 @ 7 PM
An article in the Houston Chronicle reports that a re-design is planned for the Bellaire Triangle. The center’s longtime owners, MC Management & Development, plan extensive renovations including the addition of an open-air space for outdoor events. There’s no word yet on the future of the current tenants.
The center is bounded by Bellaire Blvd, Mapleridge, Bissonnet, and Chimney Rock, located in the CMU zoning district, and the renovation plans apparently will reflect the current one-story design. Continue reading →
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7/15/2022 – After a review of the 232 pages of the proposed FY2023 budget I was unable to find estimates for anticipated revenues. Although there are totals for each sector of the City government, no grand total for the proposed expenditures is provided. It’s clear that some of these items will change, but wouldn’t it be helpful to see some estimated totals?
Find an example of consolidated revenue and expenditures for 2022 here. Will there be $40 million available, or $60 million? More? Below is an example from page 3 of the proposed Budget for just the property tax revenue:
This budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by an amount of $_______, which is a _____ percent increase from last year’s budget. The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $________. Continue reading →
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City Council – July 18 2022 Presentation of the proposed annual budget for the City of Bellaire, Texas, for the fiscal year commencing on October 1, 2022, and ending on September 30, 2023 – Submitted by Deacon Tittel, Interim City Manager.
Harris County Flood Control District is proposing a system of large diameter tunnels, 80 to100 feet underground and 30 to 45 feet in diameter, to carry flood waters to Buffalo Bayou and the Ship Channel. The suggested location for these tunnels is below various bayous and watersheds in the County, including Brays Bayou. Continue reading →
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From the Mayor’s recent article, Council has hired a new City Manager:
“Following a nationwide search that attracted candidates from far and wide, we ended up finding our next City Manager just a few blocks away. A resident of Braeswood Place and a Bellaire High School parent, Sharon Citino is already very familiar with our community and jumped at the opportunity to serve in this role. She’s got a wealth of municipal experience spanning more than 20 years, with a strong track record of leadership and team building, and has demonstrated the skills and temperament the City Council was looking for.” Continue reading →
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FINAL UPDATE 7/12/2022: At the third meeting before City Council to address the SUP application from Salad And Go the motion to approve the application was denied by a unanimous vote of 7-0. You can watch the meeting here.
UPDATE: The July 11, 2022 Council meeting begins at 5:30 PM.Find the Agenda here: Agenda for July 11, 2022 @ 5:30 PM – Regular Session begins with a Closed Meeting re City Manager; then interviews for boards and commissions; finally on to usual Agenda items.
Agenda item I addresses Unfinished Business regarding the Salad And Go (SAG) Special Use Permit application. Included in the attachments is a Written Protest signed by neighbors within 200 feet of the property. The Protest meets the Code of Ordinances requirement, therefore approval of the SAG will require six (6) votes on Council. Continue reading →
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With her children at her side, Kathleen Ballanfant, longtime resident and the publisher of the Southwest News and the Village News, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022. Kathy has been a a prominent member of the community and a fount of local lore for many years. She reported on the ins and outs of city halls in Bellaire and West University, political campaigns, local events and local characters. She was a friend to many and will be missed.
Posted inHome|Comments Off on We Lost A Valued Member Of Our Community Today, Kathy Ballanfant
Budget talks have begun, the City’s fiscal year begins October 1st. The City Manager position has been in play for some time, hopefully we’ll have a new, highly qualified City Manager soon. Meanwhile Council is currently mulling over a number of projects, some funded, some not.
A new bathroom for Mulberry Park was approved some time ago, to replace the use of porta-potties by the sports teams. The last price I recall was around $150,000, to include a prefab unit, a foundation, new water line, new sewer line, and electrical. It was initially listed in Capital Improvement Projects for $250,000, but that was when it was supposed to be funded by donations, which were never received. It will require ongoing cleaning and maintenance.
Designs for a stand-alone sidewalk are in the works along the 4700-5000 block of Maple St, to connect to Bellaire High School. Some of the Maple St residents want 5-foot wide sidewalks along both sides of the street, however Council approved only the south side. The initial estimated cost was around $200,000, but no firm price has been set. Neighbors affected by the sidewalk need to review the installation plans for their property.
A new dog pound has been discussed, but no location or costs have been provided. In the past Bellaire averaged 3 to 4 stray dogs per month. Update 6/14/22: This was just released by the City: Upping Our Game at the Bellaire Pound
There have been numerous complaints about lack of oversight and code enforcement on new home construction in the City. Development Services is responsible for inspections and verification that the builder is adhering to the City codes. Continue reading →
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UPDATE: MAY 13, 2022: There is no application for a PD at this time. Greg Thompson with Thompson+Hanson Landscape Company, located in Bellaire, spoke and his representatives made a conceptual presentation for one and two-story structures located in a garden-like area in the Urban-Village-Transit District, the UV-T. Based on the drawings it would be a delightful pedestrian-friendly commercial area with space for gardens and open air events. Find a link to the video here.
Sadly, there were several problems with the plans, due to the current zoning restrictions in that area, the UV-T. Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on Public Hearing: A Mixed Use Development Is Proposed In The UV-T
UPDATE: Portions of recently completed 5100-5200 Spruce are once again being demolished and reconstructed due to improper installation of electrical conduit and irrigation lines. Ponding and poor drainage are also problems. The good news is that the cost is on the contractor, not the City. The question is, what do these patched areas mean for the future stability of the pavement?
This was part of a $5.2 million dollar contract to A Status Construction. The streetscape design was opposed by residents and businesses but approved in 2017 by the Mayor and City Council. The then city manager promoted this design as a pedestrian friendly area. What do you think? The article below from August, 2021, was initially inspired by my queries to the City concerning the “ornate” street lights along the 5100-5200 blocks of Spruce St and Fifth St along H-E-B. “What lights?”, you may ask. The ones purchased in 2018 but never installed. Continue reading →
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Apparently some of our zoning ordinances aren’t in line the the Comprehensive Plan, and the Planning and Zoning Commission is tasked with review of those “inconsistencies”. Although the Comp Plan is just that, a plan, and one that is constantly changing depending on who’s in charge, some civic leaders insist that it should set the zoning plans for the City.
P&Z held a Workshop on this subject on April 14, 2022. Find a link to that meeting here. It’s an important subject and the presentation was well-done. Drop down the agenda below the video and click on Comprehensive Plan Update. It’s about an hour into the meeting. Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on Bellaire P&Z’s Discussion About Questionable Zoning Ordinances
Bellaire City Council held a workshop on Monday, April 18, to continue their discussion on flood risk management in Bellaire. You can watch the video or view the presentation online. The next workshop is on May 2 at 6 pm in Bellaire City Hall before the regular council meeting.
Councilmember Gordon made a compelling presentation on flood mitigation in Bellaire at the recent Council meeting, which in turn sparked a lively and informative discussion on past floods and future possibilities. Find the PowerPoint Presentation here and a link to the Council meeting here.
UPDATE 3/30/2022: The last meeting on these PD applications, styled as Bellaire Place, was held on March 21, 2022, when a portion of the PDs was approved. Here’s a link to that meeting. After a Public Hearing in January and three successive Council meetings Council chose to approve approximately two of the Planned Developments for now, with an allowance to cover up to 70% of the area and some modifications to the buildings. It’s up to the developer to choose which portions of the developments will be constructed first. Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on Urban Renewal? PDs For 4800 Fournace & 5901 South Rice Avenue Are Approved
UPDATE 4/18/2022: The application was approved by a 5-0 vote from P&Z. The application will now move to City Council.
Find a Summary below from the Agenda for a hearing for a new food establishment at 5201 Bellaire Blvd. Several residents living on Linden St spoke of problems with the alley that borders this block of homes and businesses. It is in poor repair and is sometimes blocked by large trucks. Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on P&Z Hearing March 10, 2022, For 5201 Bellaire Blvd
The City Council meeting on March 7, 2022, once again ran almost 5 hours. Members addressed City business and then, about an hour into the meeting, the three applications for Planned Developments in the new North Bellaire Special Development District NBSDD) were again discussed. Continue reading →
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If you have any suggestions, comments, complaints, etc. about the City website, now’s your chance to be heard. Log on here to the Website Design Survey and have your say!
The State Of Our City – February, 2022
On February 7, 2022, Mayor Friedberg delivered his State of the City Address. Prominent in the presentation was on the hiring of a City Manager, Council priorities, filling staff vacancies, and City finances.
Property taxes and bonded debt were covered. The Master Drainage Concept and the costly recommendations for flood mitigation will be discussed in greater detail in later meetings. Find some background on that interlocal study here. Updated information on the loss of our flood insurance discount was presented. Almost last, but certainly not least, was discussion of zoning. You can view the entire address here.
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In the last 6 months of 2021 numerous mid-level and high-level employees left the City of Bellaire’s employ. A recent claim of the Mayor and his candidates in the 2021 City election was that City employees are unhappy and leaving due to actions by the three recent members of Council, Catherine Lewis, Nathan Wesely, and Jim Hotze. Continue reading →
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UPDATE 12/28/2021: The City of Bellaire received a Public Information Request in November, 2021, from the office of a local attorney.Find the detailed request here. As of this date the Request is still open. Are we going to see more lawsuits? Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on Variance Request For SW Corner of Bissonnet @ Loop 610 – Update and Public Information Request
The election for Mayor and three members of City Council is over. A slate of candidates has been elected: Winfred Frazier, Ross Gordon, and Brian Witt, who ran as a slate and were supported by the Mayor, who ran unoppposed. Does this mean another 4 to 3 majority on Council? The election involved elements of partisanship by local Democratic and Republican parties in what is supposed to be a non-partisan race. Find the official results here.
Update 11/24/2021: P&Z essentially approved the three applications at the November 18th meeting, with an agreement to add some clarifications or conditions. The Chairman will draft a written agreement for approval. Once the P&Z process is complete the applications will go to City Council for final consideration. Find the 11/18/21 meeting video here.
Planning and Zoning Commission –Agenda for November 18, 2021@ 6 PM Discussion, consideration, and possible action on three (3) planned development applications filed by SLS West Loop, LP, consisting of 5901 S. Rice Avenue, Bellaire, TX 77401 and 4800 Fournace Place, Bellaire, TX
We hear a lot about Bellaire’s Comprehensive Plan, the one some Bellaire residents insist must govern our future zoning. That it’s some sort of civic law or such. Well, for starters, what is a Comprehensive Plan? Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on A Few Of Bellaire’s Many Comprehensive Plans
UPDATE: The City of Bellaire Budget FY2022 was adopted on September 20, 2021. Interpreting the budget doesn’t get any easier. Please take some time to review these pertinent items. Better yet, grab a cup of coffee and review the Adopted Budget: Continue reading →
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Update 11/24/2021: P&Z essentially approved the three applications at the November 18th meeting, with an agreement to add some clarifications or conditions. The Chairman will draft a written agreement for approval. Once the P&Z process is complete the applications will go to City Council for final consideration. Find the 11/18/21 meeting video here.The new NBSDD was approved on a 4 to 3 vote by City Council on May 24, 2021.
Update 9/15/2021: Find a link to the Public Hearing for this application here.
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING – Planning & Zoning September 9, 2021 @ 6 PM in City Hall
The NBSDD ordinance was approved by City Council in a 4 to 3 vote on May 24, 2021, with some amendments. Voting in favor were Councilmembers Verma, Pappas, Fife and Mayor Friedberg. Opposed were Councilmembers Lewis, Wesely, and Hotze.Continue reading →
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FEMA letters in 2021 to the Mayor and to the Interim City Manager.
UPDATE: City Notice: Community Rating System Open House and Community Discussion – September 8, 2021.
Bellaire residents were informed recently that as of October 1, 2021, they will not receive a 15% discount on flood insurance premiums.
Thanks to an open records request some of the FEMA documents sent to representatives of the City of Bellaire have been made available, and they reveal a troubling timeline. You can read the FEMA letters by clicking on the image at left.
The letter of January 22, 2021, addressed to Mayor Andrew Friedberg, clearly states “In a CAC letter dated January 16, 2020, we requested copies of Bellaire’s floodplain development repair permits and other documents related to substantial damage determinations for 86 addresses. We had expected that a simple clerical operation to gather and forward the documents would have sufficed, and the CAC would have closed in a matter of weeks; unfortunately, we did not find comprehensive enforcement of substantial damage requirements. Continue reading →
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UPDATE 8/3/2021: A vote on the agenda item was postponed after it became apparent that only Councilmembers Lewis and Hotze felt the ordinance was justified at this time. Towards the end of the meeting Bellaire’s City Attorney, Alan Petrov, confirmed that West University’s City Council had disallowed short term leases in West University residential neighborhoods over 3 years ago. You can watch the 8/2/2021 Council meeting here.
Some Bellaire property owners offer properties as short term rentals, usually through the Airbnb or VRBO websites. Other Bellaire property owners are concerned about this practice. Back in May of 2021 Councilmembers Lewis and Hotze brought up the issue for discussion to City Council. Continue reading →
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UPDATE 8/17/2021: On August 16, 2021, City Council approved the SUP request for the parking lot, with lot coverage at 80% plus some underground detention.
UPDATE 7/23/21: Agenda item was postponed due to petition submissions. It may be placed on the agenda for the next Council meeting. UPDATE 6/23/2021: City Council will consider approval of the SUP Request on July 19, 2021. Oral comment has ended but written comments can be submitted through July 15, 2021. Submit comments to tdutton@bellairetx.govContinue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire Church of Christ Requests Additional Parking Spaces For A Lot On South Rice
UPDATE May 25, 2021: The new zoning ordinance was approved by a 4 to 3 vote on May 24, 2021. The May 3, 2021, the City Council meeting ended after almost 5-1/2 hours. The proposed language for the new zoning district along Fournace, the North Bellaire Special Development District (NBSDD) for the old Chevron tract that encompasses approximately 30 acres, covered the second half the evening.
Due to the length of the meeting there will be a Special Session, at a date to be decided, to continue Council consideration of the ordinance. This tract is bordered by residential areas to the north and the south. Although residents were not allowed to speak, an owner of the property, Danny Sheena, was allowed to do so towards the end of the meeting. Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on Some Thoughts On The Orations By Members Of City Council Re The Proposed NBSDD
UPDATE May 25, 2021: The new zoning ordinance was approved by City Council on a 4 to 3 vote on May 24, 2021.
UPDATE 5/5/2021: After another 5 hour marathon session on May 3rd, this matter has been postponed. A date will be set for a Special Session for City Council to continue consideration on the proposed language for the the new NBSDD.
4/6/2021: Consideration by City Council on the proposed language for the NBSDD has been scheduled for Monday, May 3, 2021.
On April 5, 2021, numerous speakers addressed Council at a Public Hearing on the proposed zoning, both in person and by phone. A number of residents spoke in favor of ‘the development’, even though no development has been presented. Others complained that they must leave the City to find decent places to eat. Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on UPDATE on Public Hearing Before City Council – Proposed Zoning For The Old Texaco/Chevron Property
In May of 2021 the Bellaire City Library will celebrate 70 years of service to Bellaire residents.
In January of 1951 a committee was named from the Bellaire Women’s Civic Club for the formation of a Bellaire Library. The Friends of the Bellaire Library formally presented the Library to the City of Bellaire in May of 1951. Continue reading →
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The City of Bellaire has reached an agreement with the developers of Southside Commons regarding the parking lot illegally permitted and built on the CenterPoint property at the entrance to the City. The lot will be removed by our Public Works Department.
Terms of the agreement have not yet been released. Congratulations to the many Bellaire residents who worked so hard to have this lot removed!
On February 11, 2021, the Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission approved proposed language for a new zoning district, the NBSDD (24-544 North Bellaire Special Development District), to replace the existing TRPD (24-544 Technical Research Park District) zoning on the former Chevron property.
New garage was built in 2020.
Find the new draft of the proposed NBSDD at the end of this article. The proposal will move on to City Council. Then what? Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on The Next Step For SLS Properties (The Old Chevron Property)
At the March 1, 2021, Council meeting Councilmember Wesely objected to an agenda item for a service agreement contract costing almost a half-million dollars. A 95-page agenda item for $478,897.95, to be exact, for a 5-year contract for a Police CAD/RMS Upgrade.
The City distributed this information on the lack of City water on February 17, 2021. Frozen pipes were not the main problem, and this information was helpful:
We are aware that there has been a lot of confusion regarding the changes that have happened to the City’s drinking water service. The City staff has created this timeline to explain further the sequence of events that have occurred over the past few days. We hope this helps to clear up any confusion.
UPDATE May 25, 2021: The new NBSDD zoning ordinance was approved by City Council on a 4 to 3 vote on May 24, 2021. Watch the 5 hour meeting here.
Update: 2/12/2021: In a long and somewhat confusing meeting on February 11th the Planning and Zoning Commission essentially approved the proposed draft for the NBSDD with a few minor changes. They will recommend consideration and approval of the new zoning district from members of Bellaire City Council, possibly as soon as the March 15, 2021, meeting. Find the new proposed draft for the districthere. Listen to the meeting here. Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on Update on NBSDD Public Hearing on January 14, 2021
For over 70 years the 30 acre Texaco/Chevron campus along Fournace between South Rice and what is now Loop 610 was a mix of offices and labs, running primarily on a 9 to 5 schedule five days a week. It had its own zoning district, the Technical Research Park District (TRPD), and operated quietly as a good neighbor. Continue reading →
Posted inHome|Comments Off on North Bellaire Special Development District – The Great Wide Open!
Update 6/10/2021: The City has hired a new building official,building official, and plans examiner. Development Services should be fully staffed.
For some reason the City of Bellaire has chosen not to hire, or even attempt to hire, building officials. Instead, at the January 4, 2021, meeting Council will consider two 9-month contracts totaling $407,250 with an outside vendor. These contracts were first proposed to Council by Development Services on December 21, 2020. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Why Would Bellaire Pay Over $400,000 For Building Officials?
The first lawsuit was filed by A Status Construction on August 27, 2020, and is unresolved at this time. The construction contractor claims they are due additional payment for work on Spruce/Fifth (in the area around H-E-B) and Bolivar/Maple. Some folks may recall that residents and businesses vigorously opposed these projects. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on The City Of Bellaire Is Now Dealing With Another Lawsuit
UPDATE 10/21/2020: City Council voted 5-2 to approve a 1% match in the $65 million dollar CDBG-MIT grant application at the October 19, 2020, meeting. The application includes the demolition of our wastewater treatment plant to create a detention area, however the cost for detention in that area is not included. Here’s a link to the meeting. Start about 4.30 into the meeting. Very interesting. Bellaire is committed to pay over $650,000 if the grant is awarded and the City accepts it. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Is Bellaire Ready For The Cost, Uncertainty Of Turning Over Wastewater Treatment To Houston And Demolition Of Our Wastewater Treatment Plant?
UPDATE 4/16/2021: An agreement has been reached between the City of Bellaire and the developers of Southside Commons. The parking lot will be dismantled by Public Works. The terms of the agreement are not yet available.
UPDATE: 12/7/2020 – MM Bellaire One LLC, the developers of Southside Commons, filed suit on December 7, 2020, against the City of Bellaire, Evelyn’s Park Conservancy, and Kevin Taylor.
UPDATE 11/16/2020: At a City Council meeting on Monday, November 16, 2020, the City Council also unanimously rejected the rezoning applications.
UPDATE 10/8/2020: The requests to rezone the parking lot were rejected by Planning and Zoning on October 8, 2020, by a vote of 0-6. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on No Logo, No Welcome Sign – Just A Parking Lot At The Main Entrance To The City Of Bellaire?
Hopefully City Council’s unanimous decision at the November 16, 2020, meeting to deny the zoning applications by Evelyn’s Park Conservancy for the commercial parking lot at 4300 Bellaire Blvd will lead to the removal of that lot. If you are not familiar with this parking lot issue find information here.
Remarks of Bellaire residents at this meeting and at a previous Planning and Zoning meeting made it clear that lack of transparency surrounding the deals on this parking lot among Evelyn’s Park Conservancy, CenterPoint, and Southside Commons, aided by City of Bellaire staff, has led to stress and dissension among neighbors and to resident disgust, anger, and suspicion of the City and the Conservancy.Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on A Semi-Brief History of Evelyn’s Park: 1908 – 2020
On November 2, 2020, City Council will consider the HISD application for the construction of two baseball fields on the grounds of the old Gordon Elementary School, located at 6300 Avenue B. Many of the area residents’ concerns have been addressed in the final document presented to Council, including preservation of as many on-site trees as possible. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on City Council in November: HISD Ball Fields, Bellaire Blvd Parking Lot, Debt Reduction, And A Search For A City Manager
The action never stops, no wonder we ordinary Bellaire citizens can’t keep up! Read this post item by item, or drop down to your area of interest. All of this affects our future. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on A Lawsuit, HISD Fields, Our WWTP.2, The Siemens Contract, And Evelyn’s Park. Good grief!
After a quiet Labor Day things are picking up at City Hall. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on September In The City! Our Wastewater Plant, The AT&T Property, The HISD Ball Fields, And The Bellaire Blvd Parking Lot!
Why will the Board of Adjustment, rather than Planning and Zoning, hear a request on September 17th (7 PM) from a developer for an amendment to a zoning ordinance for a Planned Development? Apparently it’s semi-complicated.
This is part of an agenda item from a Planning and Zoning Public Hearing this past January regarding the AT&T Property at 6500 West Loop in Bellaire: Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Another Developer Wants A Variance – For 1.99 Acres on Bissonnet @ 610
On August 20, 2020, Bellaire’s Board of Adjustment votedNO, 4 to 2, on a request from O’Reilly’s Auto Parts for a variance in the zoning of the UV-D to construct a new one-story building at their current location at 5134 Spruce. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on What’s The Point Of Our Urban Village-Downtown?
UPDATE 9/4/2020: A Public Hearing was held on Thursday, August 13, 2020, before the Planning and Zoning Commission, for the parking lot at 4300 Bellaire Blvd. I counted twenty speakers opposed the zoning request, no one spoke in favor. The next P&Z meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2020. However the September 10th Agenda, just posted, contains no mention of the the parking lot other than in the minutes from the August meeting. Oversight? If not, what’s going on?
Bellaire’s Municipal budgets are dry and hard to digest. Lots of verbiage, numbers, graphs, etc. It’s understandable that most residents don’t spend time reviewing them, and so may have missed the $6 million dollar Dog Pound that was added to the wish list of Future Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Not Interested In Bellaire’s Proposed FY2021 Budget? How About A $6 Million Dollar Dog Pound?
Many Bellaire residents point to the Rice Village as an example of small shops and boutiques in West University. It is not. The shops and the huge apartment complex are in Houston. West University would not allow that huge mixed-use multi-family structure in their city. In fact West U allows no multi-family, and nothing over 2-1/2 stories. Bellaire? Not so much. Please, read on. This article was updated on July 24, 2020.
The Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission will be making decisions and recommendations on a number of important zoning matters in the new few months. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on A Primer on Bellaire P&Z: Updates, A 30 ft Minimum Height And A Zero Setback!
UPDATE 11/11/22020: Council has approved the 2-field plan but with numerous conditions. Find those conditions and the new layout here.
UPDATE: The public hearing by City Council for this application has been postponed to sometime in August 2020 or whenever meetings return to Bellaire City Hall.
As currently approved, the new baseball and softball fields approved by P&Z for use by HISD on the site of Gordon Elementary campus may require the removal of 51 trees on the site.
The Revised Plan was approved by P&Z on February 13, 2020.
Public Comments at the July 6, 2020, Council meeting included a call from Raquel Boujourne, the owner and president of A Status Construction LLC, the contractor responsible for the Spruce/Fifth project. Ms. Boujourne stated that her company has been blamed for the delays on the project and that the accusation was false and unacceptable. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on A Status Construction Owner Spoke At City Council
UPDATE 6/24/2020: Mayor Friedberg announced that City Manager Paul Hofmann has been hired as the City Manager of Bastrop, TX, and will be leaving Bellaire on August 2, 2020.
The June 15, 2020, Council meeting was an in-person action packed forum that lasted over four hours. Unfinished business set the tone for the night with the first agenda item, a second appearance by James Andrews with ARKK Engineers to request additional payment of $116,303.00 for construction management of the long overdue projects of Spruce/Fifth and Bolivar/Maple. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on City Council Is Back In City Hall, And Back In Action!
Sorry, this is a long article. The health crisis and lack of in-person Council, commission, and board meetings have not slowed down the staff meetings and planning sessions at City Hall. Click on items of interest below to read the various updates at your leisure. As always, stay safe.
Remember this? South Rice Avenue before the new City Hall/Civic Center was built? Carefree driving with 2 wide lanes in each direction? UPDATE: At the June 15, 2020, City Council meeting the Mayor and members of Council voted unanimously to return this segment of South Rice Avenue to the original arrangement of four lanes with parallel parking along the west side.
Have you driven southbound lately as it narrows to one lane, especially during rush hour and before the health crisis? Were you cut off by merging drivers? Did you try to make a right turn from the ‘legal’ lane, only to be cut off by someone cutting around the one lane of traffic via the angled ‘parking’ space lane?
City of Bellaire Economics in 2020 – A New Paradigm
The economic damage from the current health crisis is alarming, and the City of Bellaire anticipates a decrease in revenues FY2020. At the April 6, 2020, City Council meeting Council member Wesely requested discussion and possible action on measures to reduce expenditures, including a hiring freeze. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire After The Virus Shutdown – In Transit and On Hold
The recent Bellaire City Council meeting on March 2, 2020, which included a Workshop regarding Revised Street and Drainage Reconstruction Selection Criteria, once again revealed a marked change in attitude by Council members. Continue reading →
Members of the Bellaire Planning & Zoning Commission have been tasked with drafting proposed amendments to the Technical Research Park District (TRPD), for the purpose of creating a new zoning district, North Bellaire Special Development (NBSDD) District. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire’s Trend For Commercial Development – Residents Had Better Pay Attention
The City Manager’s weekly memo of 2/14/20 contains another memo, from project manager Joseph McMillen to Paul Hofmann. Mr. McMillen addresses the Bolivar Street and Innsbruck Street projects, trumpeting the quality of the work while disparaging the protests of the residents who apparently didn’t realize their streets had so many problems. The City’s main complaints about Bolivar seemed to be that it was too high and too flat.Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Open Letter – Bolivar, A Double Standard. Is It Time For A Change?
What’s the value of a City of Bellaire construction contract? Apparently if you’re the owner of the company awarded contracts for the City Manager’s pet projects it’s not worth the paper it’s written on. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on City of Bellaire – Beautification or Boondoggle?
The January 27, 2020, council meeting, the second of the year, was eventful – and long. After discussing and approving various ordinances, some passing after minor tweaks, the meeting moved on to Items for Consideration. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire City Council – A 5 Hour Marathon
In a recent weekly memo on 1/10/2020 Bellaire City Manager Paul Hofmann explained that last Fall it was discovered that the surety bonds provided by A Status Construction, LLC for three (3) City bond projects, totaling over $6.5 million dollars, were fraudulent. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire City Manager Addresses A Problem With Fraudulent Surety Bonds
On January 30, 2019, Bellaire’s City engineer James Andrews of ARKK Engineers recommended a company new to Bellaire, A Status Construction, LLC, as qualified to run several construction projects funded by the 2016 bond issue, including the $2.5 million Spruce/Fifth St project. The question is why, based on what information? Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on ARKK References For A Status Construction – We Have A Problem!
It’s time for some thoughtful reflection on our recent City Council elections. I believe the election results revealed that our Mayor and recent Council members had lost the trust of both residents and local businesses while following the lead of the City Manager. That a majority of Bellaire citizens feel it’s time for fiscal discipline and time for their concerns to be addressed. We don’t need more divisive and contentious issues or flashy projects, we need calm, thoughtful leadership. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Hopes For A New Year And A New Bellaire City Council
UPDATE 12/31/2019: Notice of public hearings on January 9, 2020, for applications from HISD for revisions to the proposed sports fields at the old Gordon Elementary site on Bissonnet and from Cushman & Wakefield, on behalf of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (AT&T), regarding the property at 6500 West Loop South. Find more information in the Agenda for 1/9/2020 P&Z Session.Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on P&Z – HISD Sport Fields and AT&T Bissonnet @ 6400 Loop 610 – UPDATE
After submitting grant applications to various agencies Bellaire is the recipient of two grants to date. A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for $252,033.84, for flooding from 2015, will be applied towards the Group C Phase 3 bond project. specifically the 4300 block of Cynthia. Council member McLaughlan continued to question the need for reconstruction of this particular block in Southdale. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire Receives Grants For Bond Projects and an Urgent Care Center Is Approved
UPDATE 12/14/2019: The results of the Bellaire Runoff Election are in. The new City Council members are Nathan Wesely for Position 4 and Jim Hotze for Position 6, joining Catherine Lewis on City Council in January, 2020. Here’s the Agenda.
Scan the most recent posts on this site. You’ll find articles on developer requests to rezone numerous Bellaire properties. Not requests to construct developments that comply with current zoning, but to change it. These developers want more, in essence to revise Bellaire’s zoning to suit their desires. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Why Has Bellaire, Our City of Homes, Become A Target For Commercial Developers?
Remember the curb and sidewalk along the right turn lane on Fifth at Bissonnet?
It’s gone, Fifth ends at Bissonnet with a wall high enough to require a railing to prevent someone falling into the street.
Construction on Spruce and Fifth St. alongside and behind H-E-B began in late April of 2019. The contract called for a completion date of February 15, 2020. Promoted by the City Manager and approved by 6 members of City Council, the City of Bellaire decided to narrow 60 foot wide commercial streets to 26 feet wide (about the width of your residential street). The affected areas are lined with local businesses. Traveled every day by 18-wheelers and delivery trucks! Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on An Ornate ‘Streetscape’ Behind a Multi-Story Grocery Store? Why?
UPDATE: March, 2020 – Still no actual list of responses to reference checks from the City of Bellaire. A logical deduction: perhaps none were made, no one was contacted, or perhaps the responses were not positive.
An Open Letter to the Mayor and Members of City Council:
You may recall that I sent you an email on July 31, 2019, about the construction site on Fifth and Spruce Streets, part of $6.57 million dollars in contracts awarded to A Status Construction LLC. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire Council’s Careless Oversight – $6.5 Million Dollars of Bond Funds
Is anyone else curious about the disparity between the proposal to purchase a new EMS ambulance for $280,000, and the fact that Bellaire leases other City vehicles instead of purchasing them? Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on If Bellaire Can Afford A $280,000 EMS Ambulance, Why Not A Ford Pickup Truck?
Two Bellaire residents spoke at the City Council meeting on Monday, October 21, 2019, expressing their concern about a new residential construction in their area that is elevated about 10 to 12 feet off the ground. See the photo at left. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on The Sky’s The Limit! At Least For Now…
My Comments at City Council on September 16, 2019:
Good Evening, Mayor and City Council,
I realize that you would prefer that we simply support you in your approval of this budget. That we hand you and the City Manager control of over $46 million in City funds with little or no examination of the expenditures. Some of you seem to resent any scrutiny about how that money is to be managed and spent. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Did Bellaire Voters Miss The Fine Print in the 2016 Bond Election?
Since 1980 Bellaire voters have approved $199,980,000 in bond issues. Most of that amount, $165,480,000, has been approved since 2000. We currently owe about $123 million. What do we have to show for all that debt?
Even though many homeowners are recovering from the 2017 flood, and we still have lovely areas of homes lining shady streets, why do so many other streets and especially our main thoroughfares reflect a lack of maintenance? Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on All That Debt – Where Has The Money Gone?
Please click on the page below to view Mike Jacobs’ Budget Analysis FY2020 as presented to Bellaire City Council on September 9, 2019. The pdf can also be downloaded. Thank you.
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Mike Jacobs – A Presentation to Bellaire City Council, September 9, 2019
August 6, 2019: There was good news for Bellaire residents as City Council voted 6 to 1 at the August 5, 2019, Council meeting to retain the existing residential zoning in the Bellaire Boulevard Estate Overlay District (BBEOD). Only outgoing council member Pat McLaughlan voted in favor. Let’s hope the same attitudes carry over to the rezoning requests for the property at 4800 Fournace Place.
I planned to write an article about the Planning & Zoning vote on April 11, 2019, on an application filed by a developer to amend the official zoning map.
It would rezone the property located at 4301 Bellaire Blvd from Bellaire Boulevard Estate Overlay District (BBEOD), a low density residential area, to CMU (Corridor Mixed-Used District) to allow for the possible construction of a 22,000 square foot, two-story office building with surface parking. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on 4301 Bellaire Blvd – Can We Trust Our Zoning?
“The plan takes care of “the basics” by repeatedly reinforcing the fundamental importance of neighborhood integrity in the City of Homes, as well as the priority residents place on parks and recreation opportunities, safe streets, and preservation of a small-town atmosphere amid a vast metropolitan region.” Excerpt from the updated City of Bellaire Comprehensive Plan in 2015.
For years one of Bellaire’s biggest draws has been that, unlike Houston, we have zoning.Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire – Back to Basics? Sounds Like A Plan!
UPDATE 9-27-2019: On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, the City Council approved an increase the total tax levy for the 2019 tax year (fiscal year 2020) by 3.28% by proposing a tax rate of $0.4473 per $100 valuation. Less then the original 8% and the second reduction to 7.1% but most property taxes will still increase.
UPDATE 9-30-2019: After cutting some expenses and moving amounts from one account to another, the City Council essentially adopted the budget submitted in July. Less than $200K in spending cuts in a $46 million dollar budget. 2020 Bellaire Budget
We learned from the third budget session, held on August 26, 2019, that our appraised property values have appreciated and Bellaire’s property tax revenue for 2019 may increase by about $1.3 million. The City Manager announced that this allows a decrease to a 7.1% tax rate for 2019. It seems that no matter how much revenue this city takes in, it all gets spent – and then some. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Tax and Spend – Bellaire Council’s Budget Session #3 and Some Updates
Apparently the sky’s not really falling, since the proposed budget FY2020 presented by the City Manager increases expenditures in every major area and includes a million dollars for him to use to plan the next bond issue. Including the proposed budget FY2020, City spending increased a million dollars a year for the past 5 years. Some takeaways: Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire Budget FY2020 – And The City Manager’s Hit List!
UPDATE 9-27-2019: Some good news. On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, the City Council meeting will include a presentation regarding a proposal to increase the total tax levy for the 2019 tax year (fiscal year 2020) by 3.28% by proposing a tax rate of $0.4473 per $100 valuation. Based on the earlier suggestions of an 8% increase this comes as a relief to taxpayers, though many residents felt no tax increase was needed due to the increase in revenues of a million dollars or more per years for the past 5 years, plus higher appraised values for many property owners are anticipated.
Could we see our Bellaire property taxes increase as much as 25% over the next 5 years? A proposal for an 8% increase for 2019, and increases of 3.5% per year though 2024 was discussed at at the first of several City Council meetings and workshops to discuss next year’s budget. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire Property Taxes Up 25% Over The Next 5 Years?
UPDATE: A second workshop is to be scheduled during the week of October 28, with a public hearing to follow during the week of November 18, tentatively. The Commission would then vote at their December 12, 2019, meeting.
“There are 82 monitoring wells on the property, and the last report that I found on the website said that 41 showed contamination,” said Bellaire resident Charles Platt at the July 11, 2019, P&Z meeting, referencing the TCEQ Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on 4800 Fournace & 5901 South Rice – Development & Apartments – Undermining Residents and Our City of Homes?
Click the graphic at left to review the 8 page draft of the end product from the recent City Council Workshop. It is a 5-year priority plan distributed by the City Manager, and a lot for citizens to digest. For most intents and purposes, for now the future of Bellaire was basically decided in these 2 days. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Bellaire’s Future & the Status of the 2016 Bond Funds
I watched the recent Flood Mitigation Task Force meeting held on March 26, 2019, available on Facebook. The focus was streets and drainage. How to prioritize what streets get fixed first. Suggested ranking criteria was first discussed – how many houses flooded in a block. How old the houses were. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Flood Mitigation Task Force Meeting March 26, 2019
The Council meeting on March 4th was a quiet affair with one highlight – local resident Dan Sebesta registered his objections to having his engineering qualifications questioned by the the City Manager. The highlight of his talk was his sign: VOTE NO BONDS. He opined that giving this City Council more bond money in November was like handing booze to an alcoholic.
Speaking about the upcoming election, four council seats will be in play. Hold that thought.
After the meeting the Council retired to a closed session and returned to the dais to vote in favor of a $6,000 raise for the City Manager. Six votes in favor, Council member Pat McLaughlan abstained. Video of the meeting can be found here.
Bellaire’s Debt is estimated to be $124.8 million at the end of FY2019 Not including the interest
Email your thoughts or opinions to the Mayor and members of City Council in care of our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Council Meeting March 4, 2019 – “Vote No Bonds” and A Raise For City Manager
Back in 2017 City Council approved $50,000 for a branding study, with a no-bid contract to a company owned by a Bellaire resident. The results of that study, a B/leaf logo, a verbal identity, and a green font, were met with derision by many Bellaire residents. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Welcome To A Lush Grove? Now It’s Migrated To The City’s Website!
Over half of the $23.38 million in bonds approved in 2016 for Water and Wastewater Improvements did not go toward new water or sewer lines. It was devoted to a contract with Siemens for new water meters and improvements to the wastewater treatment plant.
According to our longtime Public Works director, who retired prior to this bond issue, the wastewater plant was in working order and in compliance with the TCEQ. However Council approved $8 million in renovations for the plant. Complete water meter replacement was based on tests on 70 water meters that showed ‘low flow’ was under-reported. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on How Much Debt Is Too Much?
Don’t be fooled by recent City Council votes on sidewalks. Five foot wide sidewalks are still the standard with street reconstruction. The stand-alone sidewalks have been shelved but the funds have not been redirected by City Council to other projects like new streets or drainage, even as Council is considering another $47 million dollar bond issue in 2019 and another $36 million in 2022. Take a look at the page below. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on How Is Our City Money Being Managed?
NOTE: The State of the City Powerpoint presentation from February 4, 2019, can be found at the end of this article.
Despite the large number of speakers at recent City Council meetings who opposed the Spruce/Fifth St project as planned, plus an overwhelming number of emails to members of City Council and the Nextdoor posts in opposition, the mayor and council approved the plan by a 6 to 1 vote at the February 18, 2019 City Council meeting. Only Pat McLaughlan opposed the project.
H-E-B employee vehicles parked in public spaces in the 5200 block of Cedar
Although the 2016 bonds were promoted for the design and construction of streets and drainage systems with sidewalks on at least one side of the street, the $2.5 million dollar award to Astatus for the Spruce/Fifth project includes $360,449 just for landscape and irrigation costs.
Further costs cannot be determined for the 7-foot wide sidewalks on both sides of the streets, curbs, angled public parking, decorative street lights, tree wells, etc. that are included in what is described as a street and drainage project. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Council Votes 6 to 1 To Proceed With The Spruce/Fifth St Project at 2/18/2019 Meeting
Welcome to Bellaire in the first decade of the twenty first century. From 9/11/2001 to Bellaire’s Centennial year of 2008. A new city manager, new parks, more bonds for streets, drainage and sidewalks, aquatics centers and municipal facilities. Zoning changes, and more park projects.
The Municipal Facilities cost has reached $21 million.
Council sang the praises of city staff at the January 7, 2019 council meeting for some cost savings – the cost for change orders for the Municipal Facilities was reduced to $302,516.
So far the amount for the new structures, estimated in 2017 to run about $19 million, is now close to $21 million, paid almost entirely from bond funds. Still to be completed is the demolition of the old city hall, the construction of a new Civic Center, parking lots, landscaping, and miscellaneous costs. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Cost Savings Won’t Lower The City’s Debt – See A Debt Comparison Courtesy Of The Texas Comptroller
Can’t the appearance of downtown Bellaire be improved without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to drive out our longtime businesses?
We already have everything we need to remain a successful and attractive community. A great location, terrific schools and parks. Friendly residents living on tree-lined streets in quiet neighborhoods. A city government that includes our own library, police and fire departments, and a public works department. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment, Public Works|Comments Off on What’s All This About Downtown Redevelopment in Bellaire?
UPDATE 2/18/2019: Find the breakdown for the final proposed cost of $5,200,890.50 for the Spruce/Fifth ($2.5 million) and Maple/Bolivar ($1.76 million) projects – plus $1 million to the engineering companies. About 10% of the 2016 bond issue. The project was approved on at the City Council meeting. The full agenda can be found here. Agenda for February 18, 2019
The six (6) estimates are available at the end of this post.
It is important that you understand not only the financial damage that the proposed Spruce/Fifth St project as designed will inflict on our local businesses, but also the added cost to Bellaire taxpayers. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on About Those Bids for Spruce and Fifth + Maple and Bolivar
The January 28, 2019, City Council meeting went off like a rocket and just kept climbing. A link to the video of the meeting is available at the end of this article. Please watch the video, you’ll find it interesting. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on A Sidewalk Petition and Some Fireworks at the January 28th Council Meeting!
The highlight of the December 17, 2018, Council meeting was the presentation a Bellaire Master Drainage Concept Plan, beginning with a proposed interlocal agreement among Bellaire, TX-DOT, and the Harris County Flood Control District. Bellaire is located at the east/southeast terminus of various watersheds that flow into Brays Bayou. Continue reading →
At this point the proposed date for Council’s approval of the project is February 18, 2019. A pdf of the presentation can be found here: 1_7_19_Spruce&Fifth
The City of Bellaire seems determined to narrow 60 foot wide commercial streets to 26 feet wide (about the width of a residential street) – for 2 lanes of traffic. Traveled every day by 18-wheelers! With 2016 Bond money as part of a project to reconstruct streets, drainage, and sidewalks. Continue reading →
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on A Master Plan For Wasteful Spending – While Harming Local Businesses
At the November 19th City Council meeting, Denton Ragland, CEO of the Bellaire Business Association, made a presentation promoting a campaign to encourage residents to ‘Stay Local to Bellaire Resources’ and stay loyal to their local businesses, then City Manager Paul Hofmann presented his report. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on City Council Update on Spruce/Fifth St Leads To An Unpleasant Exchange; The 4th Quarter Financial Report Is Available
Find information on Bellaire’s recycling program. The wrong items in our recycle bins cost us money! Find tips on other forms of recycling via the Our Environment tab on the menu. A Holiday Note: Did you know that MOST wrapping paper is NOT recyclable?
what can and cannot be recycled (no pizza boxes!)
how to dispose of hazardous waste
recycling those autumn leaves
grasscycling – no matter who does the mowing
water conservation and water pollution
mosquito misting concerns
and terrific information on plants from Aggie Horticulture
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on A New Addition To The Menu: Our Environment
At the November 5, 2018, City Council meeting a specific use permit for a car wash business at the corner of Bellaire Blvd and Ferris St. was not approved. The vote was 5 to 2, with Council members Pappas and Montague voting for the permit. Council had voted unanimously to approve a specific use permit for SLS Properties’ plans for the Chevron Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Yes to Chevron Property, No to Car Wash, Pause in the Sidewalk Saga
The Bellaire City Council, City Manager, and City staff discussed the possibility of another bond issue in 2019. The amount proposed by City staff is $47 million. A second bond issue in 2022 was also mentioned, at this point it would be an additional $36 million. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment, Uncategorized|Comments Off on 2019 Budget is Adopted – Future Bond Program Planning Session – A Possible $47 million Bond Issue in 2019
Are you aware of Bellaire’s History Walk? Lynn’s latest chapter of Bellaire history, History In Tangible Form, explains the background of Bellaire’s History Walk and the various monuments around town. Part of the City’s centennial celebration. Find it here!
All Chapters are listed under Bellaire History on the main menu.
Posted inHistory, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Bellaire History In Tangible Form – The Centennial Walk
Call for Referendum To Require a Vote on Sidewalks!
SidewalkChoice was founded by a group of Bellaire residents who feel the $55 million dollar 2016 Bonds for Better Bellaire bond issue left out important facts about how the funds would be applied, and changes were made that obscured the true use of a portion of the funds.
Preface: On August 15, 2016, City Council approved a motion to call a bond election for November 8, 2016, for $53,980,000. Four propositions were initially discussed: 1) street and drainage facility improvements for $20 million); the construction of new municipal buildings for $5.9 million (City Hall/Civic Center and Police/Courts Building), 3) water line improvements, for $20.38 million and 4) sidewalk improvements for $4 million.
However Council member Pollard proposed that Prop 4 for sidewalks be included in Prop 1, and that proposition be changed to 1) streets, drainage, and sidewalk improvements for $24 million, effectively removing the opportunity for Bellaire residents to approve funding for stand-alone sidewalks. Mayor Friedberg objected to this change. In addition, the $12.8 million Siemens no-bid contract was included in Prop 3, not listed as a separate proposition.
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on Answer The Call For A Referendum on Sidewalks
From boomtown to slowdown, in 1980 population in Bellaire dropped from a high of almost 20,000 to less than 15,000. President Ronald Reagan defeated Michael Dukakis and reigned for the decade until George H.W. Bush took over in 1989. There was Black Monday in 1987, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 22.6% on October 19th, largest one-day decline in history. The Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 closed the decade. Read the next chapter of Lynn’s Bellaire history!
All Chapters are listed under Bellaire History on the main menu.
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on Bellaire’s History: The 1980s – Bellaire Special TIFD District Formed to Rebuild Downtown
Preface: In order to maintain our current revenue stream City Council has agreed on an increase to our property tax rate from $ .4159 to $ .4313 for tax year 2018 to compensate for the lower property values on the tax roll. Those residents whose assessed value increased or remained the same as the prior year will see an increase in their property tax for 2018. Those whose assessed value declined will see their tax bills remain the same or may see a decrease. Here’s a random example of the current situation, a beautiful 3200 square foot home in Southdale built in 1996 that suffered flood damage and was completely rebuilt. It sold this past July:
HCAD Value as of January 1, 2017 $811,160
HCAD Value as of January 1, 2018 $737,291 (a decline of $73,869)
Sold Price as of July 30, 2018 $670,000 (an additional decline of $67,291
Assuming the new owners protest the 2018 appraisal, this property’s value on the tax roll will be lowered a total of $141,160, or about 17%, from the 2017 value. And this is just one of approximately 2000 homes that flooded in Bellaire, many with lowered HCAD appraisals FY2018.Continue reading →
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on Property Values, Tax Increase, and Our Burgeoning Debt – Good Evening, Mayor and City Council,
Click to see how Bellaire’s debt compared to other similar sized cities in 2016- the current debt stands at $124 million
Many city governments find themselves up against a wall when they need money for day-to-day operating expenses, building new structures, improving existing structures or making repairs. Ongoing expenses, including employee wages, maintenance andinsurance, plus periodic projects including building schools, improving roadways and ensuring the safety of bridges, represent significant costs for city governments. To pay for these costs, a city’s resources include licensing fees and tax payments. But there are times when city budgets simply cannot sustain the city’s operating costs and city coffers come up shorthanded (or empty-handed) to cover expenses or fund needed projects. During times like these, government officials often turn to city bonds as a resource for raising the money. Continue reading →
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on How Do City Bonds Work?
A few weeks ago, out of the blue, 4 members of Council chose to ignore the Bellaire residents who spoke out against the Pathways Plan and others who spoke against sidewalks in their front yards. By their vote to add 5 foot wide stand-alone sidewalks and even more concrete to our City those 4 members also turned their backs on the many residents who fear another flood. How much more concrete will cover Bellaire with 5-foot wide sidewalks? Or with more sidewalks, period? Continue reading →
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on Bellaire: A City Divided
It was 31 years ago, in 1977, that 4,619 Bellaire voters at a Special Recall Election called by a citizens’ initiative referendum succeeded in recalling from elected office the Mayor and three of the five City Council members.
Bellaire citizens were up in arms when the City Council insisted on going against the majority of residents who opposed more commercial development. Read Lynn’s latest history article here!
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on Chapter 11: The 1970s – The Bellaire Recall of its Mayor and Council Members
HEB dumpster service – note how far the truck extends into the current 60′ R.O.W. – over half the width. And the delivery truck at another business. (Click for larger image)
You’ve heard the phrase ‘Not in my backyard’, right? This Spruce St/Fifth St project is everyone’s back yard. We tend to spend most of our home time in our neighborhood, but just about everyone in the City spends some time in our downtown area.
Initial Plan for 5100 block of Spruce. Purple parking areas block existing parking lots.
The plans are about 90% complete and the City is still determined to narrow the streets and build public parking – for who?
These folks are our neighbors. Some of them have been in business for 20 or 30 years or more. A bite to eat at Jax, windshield wipers or a plug for the lawn mower at O’Reilly’s, drop off your car at Bellaire Auto or your youngster at Treehouse Learning Center. How will you replace this kind of service if these trusted longtime businesses go away? Accessing the new H-E-B won’t be easy, either, with all the traffic forced into a constricted area if this street is narrowed. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment|Comments Off on Spruce Street – Not In My Backyard! But The City Manager Just Won’t Give Up. Why?
Update – 10/15/2018: Late summer and into the fall of 2018 residents protested and submitted petitions to remove their streets from the projects, and their requests were approved. But most Council members still continued to vote in favor of installing stand-alone sidewalks. Finally, on October 15, 2018, after RAC Industries withdrew their bid to construct the stand-alone sidewalks in Group D Phase 1 because so many had been removed from the project, City Council voted to rescind Ordinance Nos. 18-056 and 18-057. The stand-alone sidewalks were ‘shelved’.
The cost for the sidewalk program? Over a quarter of a million dollars in 2 years.
Preface: On August 15, 2016, City Council approved a motion to call a bond election for November 8, 2016, for $53,980,000. Four propositions were initially discussed: 1) street and drainage facility improvements for $20 million); the construction of new municipal buildings for $5.9 million (City Hall/Civic Center and Police/Courts Building), 3) water line improvements, for $20.38 million and 4) sidewalk improvements for $4 million.
However Council member Pollard proposed that Prop 4 for sidewalks be included in Prop 1, and that proposition be changed to 1) streets, drainage, and sidewalk improvements for $24 million, effectively removing the opportunity for Bellaire residents to approve funding for stand-alone sidewalks. Mayor Friedberg objected to this change and moved to retain Prop 4. His motion was voted down 4 to 3, with Council members Pollard, Reed, McLaughlan, and Fife in favor of rolling the sidewalks into Prop 1. In addition, the $12.8 million Siemens no-bid contract was included in Prop 3, not listed as a separate proposition.
Two years later, August 20, 2018: Item for Individual Consideration: Council discussion on sidewalk program implementation and possible action to provide direction to the city manager as appropriate – Submitted by Paul A. Hofmann, City Manager.
Was this item, posted at the end of the August 20th City Council agenda, sufficient to warn residents that a big change in sidewalk width might occur? Does this description provide any reason to think we will end up with 5-foot sidewalks?
Protests and Petitions
Group D Phase 2 Layouts – Orange Trees to be Removed
One week earlier, at a City Council Special Session on August 13, 2018, the stand-alone 4-foot sidewalk program (sidewalks installed only, not part of street reconstruction) was put on hold by Council. Numerous objections and petitions had been submitted by Bellaire residents who objected to sidewalks planned for their streets.
They objected to sidewalks along both sides of cul-de-sacs, wrapping Continue reading →
The 1960s saw a wave of activism in the country, and Bellaire residents became activists as well. Catch up with local, national, and world history in Lynn’s latest installment here.
As you work towards the 2019 City budget and the possibility of another $45 or 50 million dollar bond issue I’d like to suggest the following. First, check out the Comptroller’s Continue reading →
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Preface: On August 15, 2016, City Council approved a motion to call a bond election for November 8, 2016, for $53,980,000. Four propositions were initially discussed: 1) street and drainage facility improvements for $20 million); the construction of new municipal buildings for $5.9 million (City Hall/Civic Center and Police/Courts Building), 3) water line improvements, for $20.38 million and 4) sidewalk improvements for $4 million.
However Council member Pollard proposed that Prop 4 for sidewalks be included in Prop 1, and that proposition be changed to 1) streets, drainage, and sidewalk improvements for $24 million, effectively removing the opportunity for Bellaire residents to approve funding for stand-alone sidewalks. Mayor Friedberg objected to this change and moved to retain Prop 4. His motion was voted down 4 to 3, with Council members Pollard, Reed, McLaughlan, and Fife in favor of rolling the sidewalks into Prop 1.
It appears that at least some members of City Council were listening to Bellaire residents who attended last week’s Council meeting. Discussion during the Special Session on August 13, 2018, focused on financial concerns and about flood mitigation rather than adding more concrete to the City. Continue reading →
Bellaire City Council faced a large crowd of Bellaire residents who turned out for the August 6, 2018, City Council meeting. The Council chambers and the City Hall atrium were full, and resident after resident spoke their mind on the Pathways Plan. Continue reading →
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UPDATE:City Council has tabled the Pathways Plan but did not vote it down.Unless it returns for consideration and approval it will sit on the same shelf as the Branding proposal, available for a rerun in the future. The latest Pathways Plan information can be found here.
Meanwhile, please review the articles on the nightmare proposal on Spruce and Fifth Street! Here’s the latest post.This is another project the City Manager has been involved in for over a year. The businesses and land owners are not objecting to the new street and drainage improvements, only the plans for the parking that would narrow the street and hinder or block parking at their businesses.
See Costello Plans
It will harm our longtime local businesses, interfere with deliveries to the new H-E-B, create dangerous traffic patterns, and the costs, of course, will be provided after approval!
At the very least it should be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review. Please stay engaged in these important matters. Continue reading →
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on Bellaire Community Pathways – And The Nightmare on Spruce and Fifth Streets
Update: Due to oversights in the Development Services Department, as of October 1, 2021, Bellaire residents lost the 15% rate discount on flood insurance. Now FEMA is moving to a new methodology, Risk Rating 2. Check with your insurance agent.
July, 2018 – Even as we enter another hurricane season many residents in Bellaire and the Houston area continue to suffer from the damage and the costs of Hurricane Harvey. Numerous homes have yet to be repaired with the owners living in them as best they can, some living on upper floors; others have moved out and are living with relatives or in rented quarters.
After three devastating floods in our area in three years (May 2015, April 2016, August 2017), only one of which was hurricane related, let’s first focus on the need for flood insurance.
Streets shown on current maps: 8 feet wide path – South Rice, Evergreen, Fournace, Newcastle; 6 feet wide path – Maple, Alder, Chimney Rock, Ferris, Anderson/Second, Englewood, Avenue B, Mulberry, Sunburst. (This Plan is not part of the sidewalk project currently in progress.)
See all files and graphics at the bottom of this article.
After a fractious meeting last Thursday evening, July 12, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted not to approve the Pathways Plan. Lack of communication, lack of transparency, Continue reading →
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When a new City Manager takes the reins in Bellaire we might expect that he or she would bring a former executive assistant along, someone already in tune with their style of management. Continue reading →
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UPDATE:Pathways Plan was ‘shelved’ by Ctiy Council on August 6, 2018. The Pathways Plan was presented to Planning and Zoning on Thursday, July 12, 2018. The Meeting video is available to view online. P&Z voted unanimously not to recommend the Plan to City Council at this time.
The Pathways Project will be ‘reviewed’ at the City Council meeting on August 6, 2018. You can email Council at tdutton@bellairetx.gov and request that your email be forwarded to the Mayor and City Council.
Streets shown on current maps: 8 feet wide – South Rice, Evergreen, Fournace, Newcastle; 6 feet wide – Maple, Alder, Chimney Rock, Ferris, Anderson/Second, Englewood, Avenue B, Mulberry, Sunburst. (Let me know if I missed any.) See maps at the bottom of this post.
One of the items on the agenda for the June meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was “Discussion and possible action regarding the Community Pathways Project”. Updated project files can be found at the end of this post.
Ayo Bello, an engineer with HR Green, the contractor for this $75,000 dollar plan, explained that the Pathways plan was developed based on a City survey. The survey garnered 430 responses out of over 16,000 residents – about 2.7%.
City staff member Cristin Emshoff and Mr. Bello presented the details of the new plan in hopes of gaining the Board’s approval. After a PowerPoint presentation they explained that no pathway would be on private land, all would be built on public right-of-way (ROW).
Find it here: Council Priorities 2018-06-18. Take a look at the overview – the Chevron property; the costs to the city from Hurricane Harvey – $3.5 million, much of that will be reimbursed by FEMA and the Texas Municipal League, but a recent financial report estimated the City’s non-reimbursable loss at around $621,000. Continue reading →
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Here are the City Manager’s 7 easy steps to beautify downtown Bellaire:
1) Take the 60 foot wide commercial Spruce Street that runs behind a large grocery store, contains no small retail stores or boutiques, and is traversed daily in both directions by large delivery vehicles, narrow it to 30 feet or less and add sidewalks and angled public parking on the north side, which will…
2) Force large trucks turning from intersecting streets to swing wide to avoid jumping curbs while trying to avoid hitting other vehicles when making deliveries to businesses that line the narrow street while…
3) Being blocked from entering business parking lots along the north side of the street because of blocked or limited access to those businesses which…
4) Will damage those businesses economically due to the loss of private parking spaces and customer access and will also…
5) Endanger the lives of people parking in those angled parking spaces as they jaywalk to the other side of the street or try to back out into traffic on the narrow street and meanwhile the plan also…
6) Widens the intersecting Fifth Street that runs alongside the grocery store which would wipe out parking spaces for more businesses and then…
7) Narrows that street while constructing more sidewalks and angled parking spaces along the side of the new grocery store.Continue reading →
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5100 block of Spruce – business parking spaces have been blocked, loss of parking at Jax. Click for larger image.
Some background: On March 19, 2018, Public Works presented a plan to City Council to reconstruct the 5100 and 5200 blocks of Spruce St. and three blocks of North Fifth by the new H-E-B grocery. (Watch the meeting here.) The plan would add public angled parking along the north side of Spruce and the east side of Fifth on City right of way and narrow the streets, eating up the right of way. See Costello Overlays Updated May 2018 . Also fancy lamp posts and trees. Paid for by bond funds for streets and drainage. Continue reading →
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on Spruce and Fifth Street Neighborhood Meeting – What Will Happen To Local Businesses?
The City Council and the City Manager are fond of referring to various plans and studies to justify expenditures, sometimes on questionable projects and more studies. We hear about the Comprehensive Plan, the Branding Study, Terrain Studios and something called Visioning Bellaire, and the Pathways Plan. And now the Spruce and Fifth Streets project, which if approved as planned will harm businesses in the area around the new HEB. The project has not yet been approved but some of those businesses are already suffering from current street construction. Continue reading →
Posted inGovernment, Uncategorized|Comments Off on What’s With All These Bellaire Plans and Studies?
Thursday, May 3, 2018, the Mayor and City Council will hold an all day pre-budget planning session in the Centerpoint Energy Community Center, located over the entrance to the Aquatics Center. For those residents unable to attend the Session you can find information on updates, fiscal forecasts, and City Council priorities in the 2018-05-03 Mayor and Council – Full Agenda-1708. Discussion on:
Pushing out small businesses around HEB that don’t meet Bellaire’s ‘higher standards’ (see Spruce/Fifth Streets) and see page 10 of the Agenda pdf above. (The euphemism is “to encourage commercial redevelopment”)
Adding to Bellaire’s debt with a $48.5 million bond issue in 2019
Increasing Bellaire’s water and sewer rates over the next 5 years
Ensuring public safety; money for infrastructure, public works and library buildings, and parks.
Residents are speaking out in opposition to the proposed Pathways Plan. The cost may be paid by the 2016 Bonds for Better Bellaire funds for Streets, Drainage and Sidewalks. The estimated cost is eight to twelve million dollars. You’ll find more information at Pathways Study under City Studies in the main Menu.
Substandard and abandoned houses were an early topic of last Monday’s regular Council meeting. After numerous complaints from residents on Nextdoor and articles in the Southwest News about abandoned houses the City Manager provided a PowerPoint presentation on the subject. Continue reading →
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Why would a City choose to harm its small businesses? Spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to do so?
In November of 2016 Bellaire voters gave the City Council and City Manager a big pot of money – right at $54 million dollars. About $34 million was available to be spent on streets, water, drainage, and sidewalks. In 2017 City Council approved about $3 million dollars of contracts to 6 engineering firms. As one Council member noted – before one drop of concrete was poured. Continue reading →
Have you tried to find information on the City of Bellaire website? One example: search for City Council agenda packets. You’ll find the calendar for the current month where you can click on the Council meetings. The next best possibility is City archives, except the most recent agenda shown is for March 24, 2014. If you really want to find the most recent agendas you literally have to go back month by month.
Search for transparency or transparency in government. First up is annual local debt report – informative (and scary), but not really about transparency in government. Then some type of City report, and so on. Nothing close to West University’s site, which lists Transparency in Government as a main menu item.
What’s your experience with Bellaire’s website? Comments are welcome
Construction on the new Bellaire High school began in 2018. The original building was demolished during the week of July 13-17, 2021. Find more information here.
The new school was financed by the 2012 HISD bond election and completion is expected in 2022.
100 Years of Bellaire History!
Click on the Trolley to view the Table of Contents for Lynn McBee’s history of Bellaire. Great information on your Home Town!
Spruce and Fifth Streets – Now the subject of a lawsuit, the $3.2 million in contracts for this project called for completion by February 15, 2020. A drive through the area feels as though you’re in a rundown fun house. Here’s some background on this project.
According to the City manager and staff our longtime City logo, representing Bellaire as a City of Homes, will soon be gone, thanks to City Council and the $50,000 branding study. Read more here.
You’ll find Little Free Libraries popping up throughout Bellaire. Loftin Park, Evelyn’s Park, Ware Family Park, plus private LFLs. “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin
UPDATE: A second workshop is to be scheduled during the week of October 28, with a public hearing to follow during the week of November 18, tentatively. The Commission would then vote at their December 12, 2019, meeting.
Construction on the new Bellaire High school began in 2018. The original building was demolished during the week of July 13-17, 2021. 
FEMA imposes requirements for new structures and limits on existing structures in flood zones. Check with Development Services for more information,
