The United States 2026 Mid-Term Election is
November 3, 2026  Every Citizen is a Voter 

Please Register To Vote! Also to update address, name, driver’s license info. Mail-in applications (postage paid) should be available at public libraries. Find information here: https://www.hctax.net or here: https://vrrequest.sos.texas.gov/VoterApplication/ConfirmStatusEN Some folks can vote by mail: https://www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/ Mid-term election is November 3, 2026. Your vote matters.

Check here to see if you are registered: https://www.harrisvotes.com/

Texas law requires eligible voters to register by the 30th day before Election Day. The voter registration deadline for the The General Election will be held on November 3, 2026.

You must now request mail-in ballots annually, find an application here.  https://www.harrisvotes.com/Voter/Vote-by-Mail

Items for various City proposals and meetings considered to be of importance will be posted, plus links to information on the City website when available.

7/26/2026: Fire at Pont Alba Apartments on Saturday, July 25, 2026 – KHOU website

Bellaire 2027 Proposed Budget – Presentation on July 20, 2026 to City Council – pgs 15-231 of the Agenda.

Please Take The Parks Survey

Click for larger version

6/25/2026: A New City Logo? What Do You Think?

Since the Cityseems determined to go with a Trolley Logo here are some suggestions from the Cultural Arts Board. What do you think? BTW, the Bellaire was founded in 1908. My vote goes to the bottom one, with the water tower, home, gazebo, etc.  The period to comment on the logos ended July 15, 2026.

6/15/2026: Over $21 Million In Bonds Approved By City Council on June 15, 2026

Per City Council on June 15, 2026 Meeting: The City of Bellaire is renovating the Glenmont property purchased in March 2025 for $6,897,788. It will be used for police impound operations, Parks and Recreation field crews, and Facilities Department storage. The purchase was funded in 2025 by $7 million in Certificates of Obligation (COs) COs do not require approval by Bellaire voters.

PGAL was contracted in June 2025 for architectural and engineering design services for the renovation for $630,000. The scope of work will be a new roof, updated MEP/IT systems, façade refresh, parking, fencing, lighting, and landscaping. About 10,000 sq ft of conditioned office space, the rest will be warehouse/storage. The cost is estimated at an additional $8,700,000, to be paid by more Certificates of Obligation. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 and final cost for the new location will run around $16.3 million. Debt service for the COs will be paid from ad valorem taxes and utility rates.

At the June 15, 2026 Council meeting Council also passed the sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026 sale in the amount of $12,500,000 to fund improvements to the City’s drainage system. The requested issuance of $12,500,000 is a portion of the $70,000,000 General Obligation Bond authority, and will be used for projects, including demolition of the Bellaire Wastewater Plant and connection to the City of Houston plant. Continue reading →

This website was established to provide easily accessible information for Bellaire residents. You can find reports for 8 years beginning in 2018 on proposals and decisions overseen by the Mayor and members of City Council, proposals from the City Manager and City Departments, financial updates, budget discussions, and general oversight updates on the of the City. For instance, this was an early article: Branding, Pathways, Spruce St – What’s Up at Bellaire City Council?

You can use the Search box at the upper right. Enter a search term, maybe ‘budget’ or ‘zoning’, and a list of possible posts will appear. Between Lynn McBee’s historical information on Bellaire History and my efforts at providing information from City Hall which residents might have missed it provides some interesting background on the City’s progress. Enjoy!

COMMON SENSE BY THOMAS PAINE

INTRODUCTION.

Perhaps the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general Favor; a long Habit of not thinking a Thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of Custom. But the Tumult soon subsides. Time makes more Converts than Reason.

Click on image to read the entire pamphlet.

As a long and violent abuse of power is generally the means of calling the right of it in question, (and in matters too which might never have been thought of, had not the sufferers been aggravated into the inquiry,) and as the King of England hath undertaken in his own right, to support the Parliament in what he calls Theirs, and as the good People of this Country are grievously oppressed by the Combination, they have an undoubted privilege to enquire into the Pretensions of both, and equally to reject the Usurpation of either.

In the following Sheets, the Author hath studiously avoided every thing which is personal among ourselves. Compliments as well as censure to individuals make no part thereof. The wise and the worthy need not the triumph of a Pamphlet; and those whose sentiments are injudicious or unfriendly will cease of themselves, unless too much pains is bestowed upon their conversions.    Continue reading →

Constitution of the United States of America

Articles 3 to 12 Approved in 1791

Updated Bill of Rights

Bellaire Police Chief Onesimo Lopez, Jr. announced his retirement on Saturday, December 20, 2025. On Sunday, both Lopez and Bellaire PD posted to social media to announce the retirement.   Continue reading →

UPDATE 3/10/26: The Randall’s building is gone, the land has been cleared. Fencing is up around the entire area. No signage yet, but is sure looks as though we will have second source for groceries and good food!

According to a recent article in the Houston Chronicle, Trader Joe’s will be moving into the old Randall’s space at 5130 Bellaire Blvd.

Information from the City of Bellaire website has been removed, but Community Impact magazine still reports the move is on! 

Click here to purchase the new Historical Bellaire Cookbook!

For a number of years I’ve provided articles on this website, trying to keep Bellaire residents informed about the activities of Bellaire mayors and members of City Council and City management. It takes time to develop and maintain a website, gather research, track down documents, follow various Council, Commission, and Board meetings.

Early on it mattered and the knowledge transmitted via these articles encouraged groups of Bellaire residents to form alliances to support or oppose City proposals.

But now, for whatever reason, there seem to be fewer and fewer folks interested in those activities. What’s the current level of the City’s debt? Where does the money go? Will it cost me more? Will it affect my neighborhood? Will it affect my property values or raise my taxes? Should the WWTP be demolished? What happened to garbage bag deliveries? The answers for many seem to be “who knows” and “who cares”?

Most of the recent decisions at City Hall will have little to no impact on my life. We live in a small older home, small lawn area, no pool, no expensive watering system. Exemptions provide low property taxes. Life is good. And rather than continue to report on those goings-on at City Hall and the City of Bellaire I’m moving on but may post items of interest.

So long for now, take care, and best of luck.

P.S. There are over 7 years of articles on this website and a seach option, and links to Bellaire history. You may find some of the information interesting!

You can speak in person or email comments to City Council via City Clerk Tracy Dutton at tdutton@bellairetx.gov  Feel free to comment and share your thoughts on activities in Bellaire. Here’s my recent comment to City Council regarding the city’s debt.

8/1/2025: $7 millon more    RFP & RFP Addendum

Just saw these articles in the local news:

• Houston Public Works seeks $15 billion for new water plant, wastewater improvements and
• Houston-area’s biggest drinking water facility failing, officials scramble for money to replace it.

To be clear, these articles seem to refer mostly to Houston’s drinking water, noting some problems for the wastewater system as well. And problems in general with Houston’s finances.

Those reports led me to research some of my past articles on Bellaire’s drainage and wastewater treatment plans, some with Houston connections. Most of the plans track back to our major floods in 2015, 2016, and 2017, but recently there’s a push to demolish our wastewater treatment plant and connect to Houston’s WWTP on Beechnut.

Proposed Cost to Move WWTP to Houston

Why would a city spend $30 million to demolish a public facility and cede control of that vital operation to another city? What happens if there’s a problem with the pumps or the pipeline that moves raw waste and sewage from Bellaire to a wastewater treatment plant located across a busy Houston street and on the bank of Brays Bayou? Or a problem with the City of Houston’s WWTP? Who do you call?

In 2020 City Manager Brant Gary initiated submission of a $65 million dollar grant to move to the Houston service. It was not approved, but included a pipeline to the Almeda-Sims WWTP, 8 to 10 miles from Bellaire. See Item 2 below. Would Bellaire be responsible for more cash flow to Houston for updates and repairs if something changes with the Beechnut plant?

Then we have the $40 million in bonds recently approved by voters to apply towards a $110 million estimate to widen Cypress Ditch, located in Houston and part of a 2021 plan for flood control for our area. Council recently approved another $3 million to Ardurra for this project, and an additional $70 million is needed cover the cost. Bellaire/Harris County/TXDOT committed $335 million towards the overall project. See Item 3 below.   

1. 2018: 2019: Drainage Plan – Town Hall Meeting – Spruce St
2. 2020: Is Bellaire Ready For The Cost, Uncertainty Of Turning Over Wastewater Treatment To Houston And Demolition Of Our Wastewater Treatment Plant? – this is particularly interesting, since part of the grant application included: “Bellaire’s wastewater plant would be gone, and wastewater would be routed to the City of Houston’s Almeda Sims plant via an 8 to 9 mile long pipeline. Public Works would be relocated.  Land and new buildings are included in the grant but not a new wastewater treatment plant.  Here’s the link to the October 5, 2020 Council meeting.  The October 5th CDBG workshop begins about 3 minutes into the meeting.”
3. 2021: Master Drainage Concept Plan for City of Bellaire – UPDATE – Preliminary Cost is $335 Million
4. 2022: Harris County Flood Control District: Tunnel Visions – an odd one…
5. 2022: City Council’s Agreement with Ardurra in December, 2022 from the City of Bellaire website
6. 2022: First Report From Ardurra Group Hired To Oversee Regional Drainage Program for Bellaire
7. 2024: Two Public Hearings Are Scheduled On August 5, 2024: A Stormwater Ordinance And The FY2025 Bellaire Budget – that’s the new $6.00 charge on your water bill
8. 2025: $3 Million To Ardurra In The February 17, 2024 Council Agenda 

Ardurra’s suggestions in 2024 for Cypress Ditch improvements  

Updated 6/30/2025: $54 million grant in 2025 for Cypress Ditch improvements

No word on who will maintain Cypress Ditch in the future.  Find some overhead photos of overgrown Cypress Ditch here.

Speak in person or send comments to the Mayor and City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov

Update 6/30/2025: $54 million grant in 2025 for Cypress Ditch improvements

Bellaire City Council unanimously passed an Ordinance on May 19, 2025, to put an end to Bellaire’s wastewater treatment plant. It is a sad day for the City of Bellaire. Most Council members asked few questions, no one requested another inspection by at least one more engineering firm. The WWTP may remain in operation until sometime in 2027 while the connection to the CoH plant is under construction. You can view the meeting here. Find the agreements, etc., here.

The strategy appears to be directed by Bellaire’s desire to prevent flooding in the next big storm with an agenda to promote rebuilding Cypress Ditch, provide land to convert to detention along Edith St, the south side of Beechnut, and Brays Bayou, and do away with the WWTP. By the time we discover if this anti-flood strategy is successful most of the people promoting it may be gone, but the debt will remain.

Cypress Ditch @ South Rice

As for Cypress Ditch, which begins at Chimney Rock and borders Bellaire, time will tell. I’m no expert on detention areas and how well they work, but I do know that in order to work as promised Cypress Ditch will need to be cleaned and maintained. If past experience is a predictor, good luck with that. Same for these proposed detention areas.  No idea of the cost, no idea of the cost of future maintenance

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HDR Costs 2024 & 2025

The plan is obvious if you follow Council’s trail of bread crumbs. Hire a new City Manager familiar with the City of Houston (July 2022). Suggest holding back on maintenance and evaluating the condition of the WWTP via the 2024 CIP plan, pg 9 (Aug 2023). Issue evaluation contract for $285K to HDR (Nov 2023).

Buy a $7 million Houston property (using Certificates of Obligation) for Public Works relocation (Oct 2024). Run up the flag for bonds for generic drainage projects – wastewater, water, etc. Once they pass (Nov 2024), override that first 2024 HDR evaluation of $29M (May 2024) of the WWTP costs with a much higher HDR cost of $105M (March 2025).

Land Swap! At the May 19th meeting Council approved the exchange of Ruffino Hills, valued at over $10 million, to Houston in exchange for three (3) City of Houston Tracts (13.15 acres) to be used for future detention areas + Houston’s agreement to treat the City of Bellaire’s wastewater + a payment of $5,140,000 to Houston from the balance of the Ruffino Hills sale/swap.      Continue reading →

Here’s a portion of the Mayor’s blog: “You see, it will not only be the cost of rehab or replacement but the cost to maintain the existing plant in the interim (several million), as well as the cost to maintain it on a go-forward basis (roughly 3 million annually, lest future generations of Bellairians find themselves in the same position that we do now).

These costs would be on top of our current debt of 92 million, plus the impending cost to renovate our new Public Works facility, as well as the 70 million in bonds that we approved in November 2024 to address our flooding issue as well as to improve our wastewater collection system, as stated above, which will not go away, by the way, in any event.

So we are clear, within the next three years, the debt of the City of Bellaire could stand at an amount that approaches 300 million, and with that, there would likely be no new streets built or repaired, no new library, no new parks, no new soccer or ball fields, green-space, etc. (all of which would be in play with a dismantled WWTP and the associated benefits), but what you will have is a much heftier bill from the City.” 

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Sadly, I agree with the Mayor’s assessment regarding Bellaire’s future debt. The current debt is high, $90 million or more, and the $9.5 million paid annually in debt service will only increase if more bonds are sold.     

My concern is that the problems with the WWTP are only a symptom of a much larger problem with Bellaire’s debt and financial management. If Bellaire cannot afford to operate and maintain a Wastewater Treatment Plant, a facility we’ve have for 80 years or more (it was in operation when I moved to Bellaire in 1956), what else may the City have to give up or outsource in order to reduce the bonded debt?    Continue reading →

Click to View Item G.2

UPDATE 4/28/2025: Found this on a new page on the City of Bellaire website: https://www.bellairetx.gov/1938/WaterWastewater-Projects

5/13/2025 – Community Meeting Join us on May 13 at 6:30 p.m. for a Community Meeting at Bellaire City Hall to learn more about the Wastewater Treatment Plant, ask questions, and engage with council and staff. 

UPDATE 4/24/2025: Regarding a City management presentation on April 21, 2025, City Council Agenda (Item G.2) for costs for rehab or new construction of the WWTP. Watch the meeting here.

At one point in the meeting there’s an explanation regarding the $5 million or so left over from the Ruffino Hills swap with Houston for the old HPD station on Beechnut. It would be applied to the ‘impact fees’ due City of Houston for connection to their WWTP facility. West University sold their portion of Ruffino Hills for $10.5 million.

Back to HDR’s new $100 million or more estimate to build a new, fairly small WWTP. Find the cost for a recent, much larger Conroe WWTP: Conroe – large new WWTP at a final cost of $73 million dollars in 2024. Conroe sent a disc full of information, including this list of costs.

Find the cost for a recent small Galveston WWTP: Galveston is replacing a WWTP for the Pirates Beach area between 11 Mile Road and 13 Mile Road, with a contract for $23 million. It may be completed by now. Find plans, news, and public information requests here. 

When the time comes for a decision by City Council on the demolition of the Bellaire Wastewater Treatment Plant, shouldn’t the City of Bellaire advise residents of the possibility of the loss of the WWTP, and the consequential decision to move to the City of Houston plant for service?  

This is the possible loss of a critical City facility. Signs on major thoroughfares, a letter to every property owner? A public hearing and/or special session? Put it up to the residents for a vote?        Continue reading →

RFQ-25-005

First up is a solicitation for renovation of the property recently acquired by the City of Bellaire for $7 million dollars, after City Council approved the sale of $7 million in Certificates of Obligation for the purchase. The property is located at 5233-5235 Glenmont Street in Houston, the former Federal Express building. This in addition to the $70 million in bonds approved by voters in 2024.

City Manager Citino had informed City Council that she felt there were adequate funds on hand to cover the costs of drawing up plans.  As for the actual changes, another $7 million may be required to remodel the property. Find the full RFQ here

RFQ-25-004

Next is a request for quotes to submit plans for Evergreen Park Plans and Design, starting with No 1. Gather and review existing data including the Evergreen Park Master Plan (2015), City of Bellaire Parks, Master Plan (2016) and the recent Evergreen Park survey conducted in November 2024. Find the RFQ here.

In other words, spend more funds on more plans for Evergreen Park. The question is, why now? Bellaire is in need of flood control and drainage upgrades. The City is currently carrying about a hundred million dollars of bonded debt, at a cost of $9.5 million per year for debt service, before any of the $70 million in bonds approved in 2024 are sold. Yes, Evergreen Park can always use more maintenance, so what has been done in the past several years?

• Thanks to Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, a $600,000 federal grant for Evergreen Accessible and Inclusive Playground improvements was received in 2024.
• Find the recent 2024 Evergreen Park Survey
• $5.1 million for Evergreen Park was included in the list of suggested Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for 2024-2028, page 8.  $200,000 for 2024, $4,900,000 for 2025. 
• August 9, 2021, members of the Parks and Recreation Board made a budget presentation to City Council.  They focused on redevelopment of Evergreen Pool and Park. Find the 2016 Master Plan Concept here. The estimated cost in 2015 was $4.6 million, and no specific defects in the pool or park were discussed other than that it is ‘old’. 
  

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  Speak in person or email comments to City Council via City Clerk Tracy Dutton at tdutton@bellairetx.gov

The recent City Council meeting on March 17, 2025, addressed changes to a zoning ordinance amending various sections within Articles II-VII and Article XI of Chapter 24, Planning and Zoning, of the City Code for the purpose of implementing changes in the recent Council-approved Comprehensive Plan. Find the entire document here.

Focus of the Council’s discussion was the possiblity of 10 ft and 12 ft tall fences in certain areas. Councilmember Gordon mentioned that police and fire departments do not favor tall fences.The question is how home owners would feel about a 12 foot fence along any side of their lot. It then moved on to a suggested definition of who can legally reside in a community home.

Possible expansion of lot coverage for religious and school structures in residential areas. Suggestions were to leave current lot coverage as is and use SUPs – Speciic Use Permits – to expand lot coverage. Find the entire Council meeting here. Stay tuned, there’s more to come.

Speak in person or send comments to the Mayor and City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov  

After various zoning changes for most of Bellaire’s commercial areas were approved about 10 years ago, City Council held a Public Hearing on March 3, 2025, to hear suggestions from City staff regarding changes to those changes!  Watch the Public Hearing here. Drop down to C. Presentation of Proposal, it’s worth your while to listen.

Changes in lot coverage, allowing more possible drive-throughs, reducing minimum building heights. Change standards for parking, community homes. And more. Setbacks (is zero appropriate?). Council comments on signs were varied, and downright confusion ensued over the zoning language.

Frankly, those 10-year old changes in zoning ordinances that included 30 foot minimum heights, zero front setback for buildings, the addition of sidewalks and angled parking which narrowed our commercial streets around H-E-B (PD-25), have not improved the UV-D. There’s very little that is attractive or welcoming about that area.

The same zoning prevented the possibility of a wonderful proposal from a business in the UV-T.

Speak in person or send comments to the Mayor and City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov  

Possible Changes To Bellaire’s Zoning Code – March 3, 2025, by Councilmember Lewis

Below is an email from City Council Member Lewis regarding possible zoning changes. Community homes seem to be a possible addition to the term Family in the code. Please let City Council know what you think about the current zoning and proposed changes.

The public hearing before Bellaire City Council on upcoming zoning code changes will be Monday, March 3 at 6pm,City Hall 7008 S. Rice.    Continue reading →

Update 1/30/2025: Regarding that work order mentioned below, there were hopeful reports on acquiring reasonable costs for a new WWTP, especially since the Public Works equipment and storage area may be available. Requested options are:

1. Full WWTP replacement with a conventional WWTP, chemical disinfection, and aheadworks building.
2. Upgrade the existing Influent Lift Station, and construction of a force main to the City ofHouston WWTP.3.

In addition, HDR shall perform a high level evaluation to determine if the new WWTP as described in option 1 could fit onto the Public Works site located immediately to the east of the City’s WWTP. This would include all new assets on the Public Works site, less the influent pump station which would remain in its current location. If the new WWTP willpotentially fit onto the site, perform a high level cost estimate for this option.

Councilmember Gordon recused himself from the discussion, stating that he has a business arrangement with HDR Engineering. Then tried to participate after the recusal, which was not allowed.

For those folks who have the time, you may want to peruse the Agenda for the January 27, 2025.  Fifteen hundred and nine pages (1509).  Nine (9) items on the Consent Agenda, five (5) for Adoptions of Ordinances and Resolutions.  Wow…

Here’s the full Agenda: City of Bellaire Texas City Council, Monday, January 27, 2025

It includes another $26,400 Work Order for HDR Engineering, to prepare a more accurate assessment of costs to repair our WWTP.  Something I thought they were asked to include in the first round of inspection of the plant.

Perhaps another company should have been chosen to make this new assessment. Bellaire spent over $8 million on equipment and repairs for the plant just a few years ago. Continue reading →

EVERGREEN PARK POV SURVEY 2024

Read Comments Only Here

FIND A PDF VERSION OF THE SURVEY HERE

Notes: Park and Pool –

• 661 responses; 56% would like a fancier pool, but only 22% are willing to donate for any change. 
• Rated highest were natural shade, parking, playground equipment, structural shade, and seating.
• Rated lowest were sports equipment, trampoline equipment, social seating,and quiet cozy spaces.

While there is support for both the park and pool projects, residents set the pool renovations as their highest priority.

Some 2016 history from BCC.com: Members of the Patrons for the Parks are seeking over $5 million to renovate Evergreen Park, but there are no funds available for this kind of project. More bonds to satisfy a few hundred residents?  And what’s wrong with trees, an expanse of green lawn, and a few comfortable benches?

And from 2023: Thanks to Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, a $600,000 grant for park improvements has been received.

Studying the issues for the City’s future at the end of 2024, I see that we haven’t had even a semblance of a flood in the past 7 years and, if or when we do flood again, we have no way of knowing if borrowing $77 million, possibly $84 million, will make much difference. Current plans call for:

Last November, whether they realized it or not, voters approved $40 million in bonds for the Cypress Ditch project, and $30 million in bonds for water and wastewater projects, including our wastewater treatment plant, which is apparently destined for demolition. Most voters thought they were voting for “drainage improvements”. To view the actual ballot language for those bond proposals check out pages 4 and 5 of the sample ballot for Bellaire. 

Somewhere in that $70 million are plans to

•      widen a portion of Cypress Ditch (located in Houston),
•      connect Bellaire’s wastewater treatment to the Houston plant on Beechnut 
•      demolish our existing plant,
•      build a detention pond on portions of the the Edith St. Public Works site,
•      purchase the old HPD station on Beechnut,
•      swap Bellaire’s portion of Ruffino Hills for… something. 

Some alternative plans include renovating and possibly elevating our old plant and installing larger storm sewer systems.  Or building a new one.

Certificates of Obligation were also approved to purchase a $7 million building at 5233-5235 Glenmont in Houston for a permanent Public Works location (with another possible $7 million for renovations).

Regarding the demolition of the City wastewater treatment plant (which continued to operate even during Harvey) and connection to a City of Houston facility, at the right, find a list of current cities and communities served by COH. 

July 8, 2024 Agenda

The actual demolition cost may be as little as $1 million. See this item, part of a response to my public information request.  Over a third of the $30 million in costs to demo the plant is the $11.5 million to Houston, for Impact Fees to connect to the Houston WWTP. The final cost to connect to Houston could be as much as $15 million.

Imagine that – paying Houston $15 million so that we can demolish one of our oldest City Services.    Continue reading →

UPDATE 12/17/2024: On December 16, 2024, City Council unanimously approved the issuance of $7 million in Certificates of Obligation for the purchase of a property at 5233-5235 Glenmont.  Another $7 million was mentioned for renovations. Voter approval is not required for COs.

Resident comments at that meeting included protest of the large increase in costs for use of the Recreation Center, the no-turn signs at Newcastle and Bellaire Blvd, and demolition of the wastewater treatment plant. Watch the meeting here. (This sale was under contract since October 22, 2024, but not one word of this was mentioned in open City Council until the December Council meeting.)

UPDATE 12/10/2024: Interesting Workshop meeting on 12/9/2024. Part of the issue is the age of the plant and the lack of maintenance, part is the subsidence.  Several speakers mentioned flood walls.

A Public Workshop will be held to discuss the future of the Bellaire Wastewater Treatment Plant on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 6 PM.

Find my letter to the Mayor and City Council here.

UPDATE 12/3/2024: There was strong public comment at the December 2, 2024, Council meeting on the demolition of Bellaire’s wastewater treatment, plans for Cypress Ditch, and the new 4-way stop signs (which includes a 50-year old traffic ordinance). Comments begin about 55 minutes into the meeting, and makes one appreciate living in Bellaire.

Speak in person or send comments to the Mayor and City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov  

Voters approved $70 million in 2024 for various drainage, water, and wastewater improvements, of which $40 million (Prop A), is now purposed for the widening of Cypress Ditch and $30 million for various improvements for water and wastewater projects. The Mayor has stated that the full amount of the bonds may not be sold for some time.

Many Bellaire residents were unaware that when they approved Prop B for $30 million dollars  that they were essentially approving the demolition of the plant and a connection to a City of Houston wastewater facility.  Find a current list of cities and communities served by a City of Houston WWTP here.

To view the actual ballot language for those bond proposals check out pages 4 and 5 of the sample ballot for Bellaire. 

At the recent Bellaire City Council Workshop on December 9th regarding the future of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), every comment in person or by email was in opposition to the loss of the plant. 

Over $8 milion was paid to Siemens for repairs and equipment for the WWTP in 2017-2018, consisting of Aeration System – $2,448,527, Digester Upgrades – $1,289,479, Main Lift Station – $2,809,323, Disinfection System Conversion – $532,435, and RAS Pumps & Flow Control – $432,390.

Now we may see a detention pond  in the WWTP area, and the acquisition of more detention area in Houston in exchange for the Ruffino Hills land.  West University sold their portion of Ruffino Hills for $10.5 million.   

Everything  seems directed towards getting rid of the Bellaire WWTP, paying numerous outside sources for projects ranging from demolition to detention ponds to real estate in Houston, and to borrowing more money.    Continue reading →

That $70 million dollar bond issue, which includes $40 million for Cypress Ditch and $30 million for the Bellaire Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), has raised some concerns. 

Many voters were unaware that Prop B, the $30 million dollar portion of the bond proposals, was essentially to fund the demolition of the WWTP and to move Bellaire’s wastewater treatment to the City of Houston plant.  A City of Houston rate calculator can be found at the end or this article, readers will find the COH costs higher than those for Bellaire. And the City of Bellaire would remain responsible for all repairs, maintenance, and replacement costs of COB equipment, lift stations, and sewer lines.

Compared to recent construction costs for plants in other cities it appears the repairs and improvements provided by HDR Engineering for the Bellaire WWTP are much higher, for a small plant. Why not use that $30M to repair or rebuild the Bellaire plant? Continue reading →

Bellaire WWTP

Updated 11/6/2024: Bellaire voters approved both bond issues.

Updated 10/24/2024: Two speakers, both engineers, spoke at the October 21st Council meeting regarding the bond proposals. Dan Sebesta suggested that the Cypress Ditch project was wasteful and not well planned. Then Joe Tedore explained that he toured the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the past year and felt the plant was in reasonably good condition but in need of some repairs.

Find the 10/21/24 meeting here. Public comments begin at 1:16 into the meeting. Let the Mayor and City Council know what you think about these proposals. 

Cost for the new Conroe WWTP mentioned below is $72 million.  

The City of Conroe recently built a new WWTP for $70 million in 2023.  Why would a much smaller WWTP in Bellaire cost $100 million? Or $71 million to rehab the current plant? Can someone provide the actual cost, please?  A request for public information for details of the Conroe construction costs has been submitted, You can also find a link to West University’s plans to renovate their WWTP here.   

You won’t find one word in the ballot language for the Bellaire $70 million in bonds that mentions demolition of our Wastewater Treatment Plant and moving our reliance on wastewater treatment to the City of Houston. Bellaire will be responsible for maintenance of the the lift stations.     Continue reading →

UPDATE 10/11/2024: On October 7, 2024, City Council granted an amendment to PD-9 and PD-10 for an Office Plaza development. Be on the lookout for a new building on that corner. Watch that meeting here.

9/17/2024: Due to public comments at the September 9th meeting, Bellaire City: Council and the applicant requested a postponement on a decision on this application until October 7, 2024. Watch that meeting here. 

Review the minutes of the 2010 P&Z Meeting here, when the replat of the 1.99 acres was approved.  A long list of documents was provided in response to a Publlic Information Request for information on that replat. Find the PD-9 & PD-10 Prudential ordinance #2099 from 1977 here. Ordinance 2099 doesn’t seem to be included in the current Code of Ordinances.     Continue reading →

Here are the main items for consideration at the September 12, 2024, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.  Find the full agenda here.

1. Docket # SUP-2024-03 – A public hearing on an application filed by ChristChurch Presbyterian, in accordance with Chapter 24, Planning and Zoning, Article VI, Amendatory Procedure, Section 24-605, Application for Specific Use Permit, of the Code of Ordinances, of the City of Bellaire, Texas, to operate a two-story church and day care center, encompassing approximately 16,000 square feet, located at 4921 and 4925 Bellaire Boulevard. The property is located within the R-4 Residential District.  Continue reading →

UPDATE 8/23/2024: Thanks to an increase in appraised values for most Bellaire properties there will not be an increase in the tax rate.

The Bellaire City Council will conduct a public hearing on a tax increase for tax year 2024 on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, First Floor of City Hall, 7008 South Rice Avenue, Bellaire, Texas 77401-4411. If the increase exceeds the voter-approved tax rate the tax increase will be on the November ballot.

The “Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Increase” is available for review on the City’s website.

Comments can be emailed to the Mayor and City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov

Bellaire Regional Drainage Improvement Program Open House – August 20, 2024 – 6:00 – Civic Center – Find more information here.

Bellaire City Council – Public Hearing on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. on the adoption of drainage utility charges for the City’s Stormwater Drainage Utility System – Find the proposed fees here.

Comments can be emailed to the Mayor and City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov

Update 8/9/2024: City Council approved an ordinance to create a Stormwater Drainage Utility System.  Next step is scheduling a Public Hearing on adoption and customer cost of a Drainage Utility Charge.  You can watch the August 5, 2024 Council meeting here.

A public hearing for a Stormwater Ordinance was held on August 5, 2024, at 6:00 PM.  Find information on the proposed ordinance here.  If the ordinance is approved drainage charges may be included in our water bills.

A  second Public Hearing on the City budget is set for Monday, August 5, 2024, at 6:15 PM. City Council received a copy of the proposed Budget FY2025 at the July 15, 2024, Council meeting. That hearing is now scheduled for August 19, 2024.

Per City Manager Citino and Finance Director Beaman, the proposed budget is structurally balanced with enough revenues to cover annual costs, but not balanced if additional programs and projects are included. Find a link to the meeting video here.

Structurally balanced allows recurring revenues to cover anticipated expenses, but supplemental programs such as capital improvement projects, increased police service by adding four more officers, and increased fire services by adding a fire marshal and additional part-time medics are not included. Those costs would also include additional employee positions, and various new or improved programs. To cover those costs a tax increase may be proposed.      Continue reading →

UPDATE 7/5/2024: A number of speakers offered comments on the possible changes to the Comprehensive Plan regarding multi-family and/or optional developments in Bellaire. Comments can still be emailed to the Mayor and City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov.  View the July 1st meeting and agenda here.

Another important meeting will be the Joint Public Hearing regarding multi-family or single-family development on the 3+ acres of land at 4301 Bissonet.  Let City Council and P&Z members know how you feel about apartments or condos in our City of Homes.    Continue reading →

Will we be saying so long to this beautiful corner?

UPDATE 6/14/2024:  On June 13, 2024, members of the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the application for a Planned Development at the corner of Bissonnet and Loop 610, on less than 2 acres. The original ordinance followed the Loop 610 District zoning which requires 4-acres or more for development, however City staff advised that the new development conforms to the ordinance. The application will now proceed to City Council for consideration and approval. You can view video of that P&Z meeting here. 

Find a link to the Kinder Institute study on tree loss and the value of a tree canopy in the Houston area here. Find out why West University is 7 to 8 degrees cooler than the Gulfton area.

Find the entire agenda for the June 13, 2024, Planning and Zoning meeting here showing site plans, architectural renderings, etc.  Open and download it, then see Item VII, Current Business (Items for Discussion, Consideration, and/or Possible Action) and click on the links for each agenda item for Docket #PDEV-2024-01 to review the plans for this corner.  This is a request to amend PD 9 &10. The developer bought 1.99 acres of PD-10 several years ago even though PD-10 zoning has always required a 4-acre minimum for a PlannedDevelopment.  It’s too late to speak at this meeting.  Email your comments to zoning@bellairetx.gov 

Find my email to P&Z here.
Find the Current Bellaire Zoning Map here
Find the Loop 610 District Ordinance here
A Public Hearing On A Variance For Bissonnet @ Loop 610 Was Held By P&Z On May 9, 2024
A post about an earlier request 9/21/2021 to the Board of Adjustment: Variance Request For SW Corner of Bissonnet @ Loop 610 – Update and Public Information Request

Update 6/5/2024: The request for the SUP was approved.

Public hearing on an application filed by Treehouse Learning Centers, LLC, for a Specific Use Permit to expand into and operate a day care center on an approximately 6,500 square foot site located at 5202 Spruce Street, Bellaire, Texas, in the Urban Village-Downtown (UV-D) Zoning District – Submitted by Travis Tanner, Director of Development Services. Agenda Statement Report – Pdf

Find earlier information on this park-like property and the developer who purchased it in this post from 2020: Another Developer Wants A Variance – For 1.99 Acres on Bissonnet @ 610.  

Now the owner, Bissonnet Street Ventures LLC, is proposing Project Luong, an 85′ tall medical building that includes six stories of occupied floors and a 6-story parking garage, built on 1.99 acres. The current UT Physicians/AT&T building at 6500 West Loop South is five stories.

No matter the building height, this land is zoned for Planned Development on a minimum of 4 acres as prescribed in the Loop 610 District ordinance 24-541. The piece of property these developers purchased is less than 2 acres.  Why did they purchase it with that zoning in place? There’s a term in the business world: Due Diligence – reasonable steps taken by a person in order to satisfy a legal requirement, especially in buying or selling something.  The first thing to check on a piece of real estate in a city with zoning ordinances is the current zoning.     
Continue reading →

Click To View The PowerPoint Presentation

Costs for Bellaire city services will continue to increase.  Personnel, equipment replacement and repair, maintenance, disposal of solid waste and recycling, purchase of water from the City of Houston, and more. Per the May 13th presentation, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) forecasts that water and wastewater rates across the U.S. will triple over the next 15 years. 

Estimated costs for capital improvements of Bellaire’s water, wastewater, and solid waste disposal for 2024-2028 is $4.37 million, though that cost could change. $2.27 million is already included in the Capital Improvement Plan. The additional $2.1 million may be covered by long-term debt, to be issued in 2026-2028.  In addition, costs will be offset by increased rates to Bellaire customers.  Several scenarios are included in the presentation.  

The presentation contains an in-depth overview of where we’re headed and what our options may be.  We’re not alone, all cities in our area are facing similar cost increases.  Per the agenda of the City Council Workshop on May 13, 2024, focus will center on suggested recommendations for the best methods to cover future costs. No video of the meeting is available.    Continue reading →

UPDATE 5/8/2024: By a vote of 5 to 2 City Council approved another $115,000 for the Holly Street Trail.  As of April 26, 2024, the total spent on this trail is $306,583, including thousands of dollars on jasmine ground cover. Now another $115,000 was approved by 5 members of Council.  Unitl 2014 this area was simply used as a walking trail.

Council also approved the $214,000 solar panel proposal for City Hall on a 6 to 1 vote.  The tree ordinance passed by a vote of 5 to 1 with one member absent.  The proposal to address some changes in the Comprehensive Plan regarding multi-family was postponed.  The meeting lasted 6 hours and ended at midnight.  Here’s the video.

The Bellaire City Council has quite a variety of agenda items to address at the May 6 2024, City Council meeting.  Find the full agenda here: Agenda for May 6, 2024.

After opening ceremonies at 6 PM there will be a Workshop, Public Finance 101: Presentation on Public Finance 101 as it relates to Council’s FY 2025-2027 Adopted Strategic Plan. Note that only General Obligation Bond issues require voter approval.

Later, under New Business, you’ll find:

Authorization for another $115,595 for the Holly Street Trail project (for those keeping count, this would push expenses for that esplanade in the past 10 years to over $430,000).

Consideration to authorize $214,107 for a solar energy system for City Hall.  Find the City Hall costs for electricity for the period of February, 2021 through January, 2024 here.  The current average is about $3,000 per month.  Find a link here to the website of the chosen contractor, Sunshine Renewable Solutions LLC.

Consideration to amend Chapter 9 of our municipal ordinances to enhance tree protection – (that would get my vote, let’s preserve our tree canopy and help to reduce flooding)

Consideration to amend the Comprehensive Plan regarding multi-family development – remove multi-family by right in CMU or UV-D.

Share your thoughts with the Mayor and City Council, you can  send emails via tdutton@bellairetx.gov.

UPDATE 4/24/2024: Channel 11 news reported on the problems, and on a traffic stop and an arrest near the home.  Bellaire Police were called about the property at least 40 times over the past year and recovered a large amount of marijuana at the house. Find the KHOU report here.

UPDATE 4/21/2024: This is in regard to a shooting in front of a house at 4521 Merrie Lane on Saturday, April 13, 2024, around 7:30 PM.  The shooting continued in a car chase down Newcastle to Beechnut. I encourage everyone to view the comments at the April 15th City Council meeting.

The house is used by EMF, which apparently stands for Edwards Marijuana Family. For me these comments raise important questions regarding communication by our police chief and the actions of BPD.  Most of the City’s personnel, including the police and fire departments, answer to the City Manager, who in turn answers to the Mayor and members of City Council. Continue reading →

Rice University path

UPDATE: Below is my post from August of 2023. Now more updates and funding are requested by Holly St residents and the matter will come before City Council in May, 2024.  The Rice University path has been there for decades, no perks, just a quiet path for walking or jogging.  If the Holly Street Trail needs repair, asphalt or crushed granite paths are both good surfaces for walking or jogging.

After the recent community safety meeting it’s apparent that we need funding for more traffic cameras, police officers, and police presence.  Per a recent Request for Public Information, an additional $50,000 has been spent. To date, over $320,000 on the Holly Street Trail, and now more expenses may be approved by Council. Find my letter of April 26, 2024, to the Mayor and City Council here.

8/23/2023: Residents are once again complaining about the poor conditions along the Holly Street Trail.  That’s the esplanade portion of Holly that runs from the Loop to South Rice Avenue. The walking trail portion was developed many years ago. 

After complaints in 2014 from homeowners along Holly Street, the City began to make landscape improvements.  During the approximate 6-year period from March of 2014 through February of 2020 the City paid out over $270,000 for Trail improvements.  Find the list of expenditures here.  

In the near future I plan to submit another Public Information Request for a list of City expenditures for the Trail for the past 3+ years.  With our finances restrained due to almost $100 million in bonded debt, is it time to just pave it or plant grass?  Stay tuned.  

First up at the April 1, 2024, was a City Council discussion to update the Bellaire Comprehensive Plan was the Pont Alba apartments, located at 4301 Bissonnet.  The current zoning for that area is R-MF, Residential Multi-Family, apartments or condominiums.

In the new Comp Plan the Pont Alba area becomes Small-Lot Residential Attached, and presents an opportunity for homes on smaller lots or fee simple townhouses. However, a new zoning ordinance will be required to complete the change.  Until then the site is still zoned for multi-family. 

The really bad news?  Multi-family remains in the UV-D, the Urban Village Downtown.  Some members on Council seem to think that’s a good idea, and that means apartments or condos could be built on the old Randall’s site as mixed-use multi-family. Bellaire residents may recall the shiny new apartments that were built about 50 years ago in what is now known as the Gulfton area.  A highrise condo development, The Sussex, was built in the 1960s in Sharpstown. 

Others have mentioned the number thefts of autos and the transitory nature of occupants of multi-family developments. Condos are often purchased or converted for rental units, as is the case with a condominium development just outside Bellaire. Currently only 9 of the 27 units are homesteaded, and some investors own multiple units in the complex.

In addition, the UV-D was expanded in 2014 to include the north side of the 5100 and 5200 blocks of Spruce St., which means multi-unit developments could be built 15 feet from the backyards of homes on the south side Locust St.  Meanwhile, small upscale cities like West University do not allow any multi-family.

The zero-lot line setback will become ‘narrower setbacks’, allowing more green space in the UV-D and the UV-T (located in the Loop 610/Westpark area), and the 2-story minimum building height is scheduled to be removed, .  Stay tuned, I’ll try to parse out more Comprehensive Plan updates as I finish watching the video from the April 1st City Council meeting. 

Feel free to email comments to the Mayor and City Council via our City Clerk at tdutton@bellairetx.gov, and to members of the Planning and Zoning Commission via zoning@bellairetx.gov.

Bellaire currently has a tree ordinance, primarily for new construction. This information can be found on the City’s website:  Does the City have a Tree Ordinance? 

Yes, and it applies to construction-related situations that would require a tree disposition permit. You can refer to Chapter 9, Article XI of the City’s Code of Ordinances for more information.

A large portion of the March 4, 2024, City Council meeting was devoted to the possible adoption of an updated ordinance, directed towards saving existing trees of value or replacing them when necessary with a similar tree or trees of equal size.  Not just in connection with new construction, but rather to save our stock of valuable older trees and our tree canopy.  A list of trees that would require a permit for removal will be provided. 

Permits would be required, and City staff recommended hiring the services of a certified arborist as needed to inspect proposed removals. Discussion focused on the current ordinance in West University Place which has been on effect for 30 years. Entitled the Urban Forest, it explains the large trees and tree-lined streets in that city.  Bellaire’s would be similar, and the ultimate goal is to discourage removal of valuable trees and to encourage planting and maintenance of an extensive tree canopy.

Trees are valuable additions to a property and to a city, both for their beauty and their usefulness.  Let your Mayor and members of City Council know what you think of these proposals.  Email them via our Tracy Dutton, our City Clerk, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov

Public Hearing Announcement

UPDATE: 3/13/2024: A lot of questions from Council and answers by Gary Mitchell and Mike Baker. Highlights include lifestyle living, small-lot residential, no more multi-family, and R-5 zoning (townhouses). Revise the zoning for the commercial areas. Possibly do away with zero setbacks and 2-story minimum heights. It’s going to take months and probably more hearings to arrive at a final Plan. 

Find my comments to the Mayor and members of City Council here. Watch the March 18TH Public Hearing video here. There’s still time to send your comments to the Mayor and City Council.

Come to the meeting on March 18, 2024, and voice your comments about improving the City’s Comprehensive Plan.  Or email them to the City Council in care of Tracy Dutton, our City Clerk, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov.  This is an important time in Bellaire’s development, please send your comments or speak at the hearing.

Numerous meetings regarding the Comp Plan and possible revisions to our zoning ordinances have been held in the past several months, and the final decisions may soon be made by City Council.  Let them know your expectations for the City’s residential and commercial areas, and what your expectations are for the City’s future growth.  

View suggestions for updates here.

How do you feel about zero setback for commercial developments, that is, right at the property line? (Think H-E-B, or the view of the back of the building at 4460 Bissonnet & Newcastle.)  Would a 15 or 20 foot setback with landscaping, trees, and on-site parking be better?

What about 90% site coverage, and tall building heights in the middle of downtown? Would you prefer one and two-story retail and office buildings? Where you can pull in and park? With ground level parking, no parking garages?

Do multi-family apartments and condos belong in Bellaire?  (Not to be confused with residential single-family townhouses.) How do rental properties affect a city?  Continue reading →

Bellaire’s Planning and Zoning Commission held a Public Hearing on February 8, 2024, regarding the possible rezoning of the property located at 4301 Bissonnet, the Pont Alba apartments, which covers 3.4 acres.  Find the agenda and meeting video here, it’s a short meeting.   Although only this location was under discussion, multi-family permeates Bellaire’s zoning districts, including the R-MF, UV-D, CMU, and UV-T. 

Please let the City know what you think about this 4301 Bissonnet property and your views on multi-family in general.  Do we want apartments or condos (which may end up as rentals)?  Email P&Z at zoning@bellairetx.gov and email City Council at tdutton@bellairetx.gov.

A multifamily home is any residential property with more than one housing unit. A duplex, townhome, or apartment complex is a good example of a multifamily home, also condominiums, not to be confused with single-family townhouses such as those in Bellaire.  Most upscale cities in our area, including West University, do not allow any form of multi-family construction.  That multi-family exclusion is a draw for many and adds to the value of homes in those cities.   

Numerous residents voiced objections to multi-family at the P&Z meeting.  They fear tall buildings, troublesome tenants, loitering, and tenant parking on adjoining streets.  When I did some research on the condos located at the corner of Jessamine and Mapleridge in Houston, I found that two-thirds of them are not homesteaded, they are used as rental properties.  Find more information on multi-family from an earlier article below:      Continue reading →

From the Agenda: Ron Gailey, CEO of OnPointe Insights, will report to City Council regarding the results of the 2024 Citizen Satisfaction Survey. The survey was available to residents from January 9, 2024, through February 9, 2024. The results will be used to inform future decisions about the community’s needs, priorities, and concerns. A copy of the survey summary is attached for reference.

Note: There were just over a thousand responses.

2024 Citizen Satisfaction Survey link to results dashboard

On December 11, 2023, Mayor Friedberg distributed an email regarding the Metro Transit Center, located in the 5100 Block of Bellaire Blvd in the City of Bellaire.  The Transit Center was approved by City Council in 1986.  Find the agreement for the Transit Center, dated March 3, 1986, here. 

In addition, many Bellaire residents may be unaware that the City receives annual revenue from Metro, a percentage of the sales tax Metro receives within the City. The anticipated revenue for 2024 is $1.7 million, and only applies to transportation and mobility projects in the City.  Find the agreement here. Find a 2020 amendment extending that agreement here.

The articles included in the Mayor’s presentation are available thanks to the Portal of Texas History. They are from The Texan, published in Bellaire, and dated 1986 and 1987.  Find the Mayor’s explanation below:   

Relocating METRO’s Bellaire Transit Center, December 11, 2023
https://cityofbellairemayorsmusings.blogspot.com/2023/12/relocating-metros-bellaire-transit.html
Continue reading →

Find the entire video of the Bellaire City Council Meeting of February 5, 2024, here.

Highlights include current City staff, stable tax base and tax rate, debt and debt service, and much more.  Please view the meeting.

Please send comments to City Council via tdutton@bellairetx.gov

2/8/2024 UPDATE:  At this time Houston Methodist has withdrawn their application for a planned development at 5130 Bellaire Blvd.

1/12/2024 UPDATE:  Last night, by a vote of 5 to1, the Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission approved a recommendation to send the Methodist application on to City Council.  It’s uncertain at this point, but this may end up on a Council agenda sometime in February, 2024.

Phrase of the night from one commission member,  “This sounds like gossip”, after another commission member stated that Methodist was “talking to other developers” but would provide no further information.  A Methodist representative flatly denied that statement and instead suggested that P&Z consider the current application.  View the agenda and video here.     Continue reading →

Click to view entire document and graphics.

On January 31, 2024, Bellaire City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission met in a joint session for a presentation by Gary Mitchell, president of Kendig and Keast, to discuss a draft Comprehensive Plan.  Find video and the agenda of the meeting here.  The City received 1169 responses to an earlier online survey, leading to a 33-page report.

Suggestions include taking a close look at the “Actions for Land Use and Community Character” and “Future Land Use and Future Land Use Map”.  Another area to follow is the “Zoning Parameters to Implement Comprehensive Plan Direction”. One Council member promoted condos.  Watch the meeting, it’s somewhat confusing but this is really important for the future appearance of Bellaire.  Review the document above, please.  Then let the City know what you think when you attend the Comprehensive Plan Open House on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 6:00 PM at City Hall.  

Review the document above, please.  Then let the City know what you think when you attend the Comprehensive Plan Open House on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 6:00 PM at City Hall.  Find current and draft Comprehensive Plans here: https://www.bellairetx.gov/628/Comprehensive-Plan  You can email comments to City Council via Tracy Dutton at tdutton@bellairetx.gov and to Planning and Zoning at zoning@bellairetx.gov

There is a special session of Planning and Zoning scheduled for Monday, February12, 2024, but no information at this time on the content.

Bellaire City Council will convene at 5:00 PM for board interviews for the Audit Finance Board, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the Culture and Arts Board.  A regular session of City Council will follow by 7:00 PM, including reports from all City boards and commissions and the Mayor’s address on the state of the City.  Find the full agenda here.  

The City is holding an Open House  on February 7, 2024, at 6 PM regarding possible revisions to the Comprehensive Plan.  All residents are invited!

Just got this notice from the City of Bellaire:

We are excited to announce that the Bellaire Citizen Satisfaction Survey is open! The survey is designed to gather feedback from residents on various city-provided services and issues and help us better understand the community’s needs, priorities, and concerns. We would greatly appreciate your participation in this survey, which should take approximately 8 – 10 minutes to complete. 

To take the survey, click the following link: Bellaire Citizen Satisfaction Survey

The City is holding an Open House  on February 7, 2024, at 6 PM regarding possible revisions to the Comprehensive Plan.  All residents are invited!

A neighbor recently wondered what was going on with his water bill. I dug out a mailer that was included in our bill, which shows another increase.  We are now on what appears to be a plan for annual increases, mostly because of a cost increase for the water the City purchases from the City of Houston. 

In addition, revenue from our water bills is credited to the City Enterprise Fund, which normally produces a positive balance.  In turn, funds from the Enterprise Fund are transferred to the General Fund to help fund the costs of running the City.

Finally, there has been no report fron Siemens on purported savings generated by the installation of automatic water meters in 2018 at a cost of $4.5 million dollars.  As mentioned in that article, with constant rate increases how will we ever know if any savings have occurred.  Find more information on that Siemens contract, paid from the $54 million dollar bond issue in 2016, here: Siemens – Where Do We Stand On The $12.8 Million Siemens Contract?  See item vi, Increase In Water Revenue?  Maybe one takeaway from this issue is to read the fine print in those bond issues, especially the cost of the annual debt service, currently about $9.5 million.

Of interest, since the installation of the new meters 898 meter registers (the things that register water usage) have been replaced, with another 153 on the replacement list.  For now the cost of those replacement registers has been paid by Neptune Technology.  The City paid $14,938 to the company that hosts the AquaHawk customer portal, and another $2,926 to Tyler Technologies to transmit updated information to the AquaHawk portal.  Apparently no count is maintained for resident calls for leaks at the meters, nor the cost of Bellaire personnel called out for those leaks.

Find a portion of the FY2024 Budget introduction regarding the various revenue streams here.  Find the entire FY2024 Budget here.

Monday, December 4th, 2023 – A joint Public Hearing before Bellaire City Council and Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission regarding mitigating problems with or moving dumpsters at Bellaire High School.

Monday, December 11, 2023 –  The decision to hold a joint Public Hearing before Bellaire City Council and Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission regarding a revised application from Methodist Hospital for the site at 5130 Bellaire Blvd was postponed.  A new look at the traffic analysis and more details on the development of the project was mentioned, however there appears to be no basic change from the last application.  Look for this to go to P&Z at a later date. Continue reading →

Click to enlarge, find all images in the Agenda Statement.

Update: Here is the full Agenda for September 28, 2023 @ 6:00 PM Joint Special Session City Council and Planning & Zoning.  Nothing new was discussed at this meeting, apparently it was misreported as a joint session.  Methodist may be back on the agenda in the near future.

The Bellaire City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission will meet in a Joint Special Session (Workshop) to discuss development alternatives for the Houston Methodist Hospital on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. There are no appreciable changes in building size or the parking access off South Rice.  Find the updated plan here.

Find an earlier article here: Methodist Application Goes To City Council on July 17, 2023

Back on August 21, 2023, Bellaire City Council voted unanimously against a request from Harris Heatlth Care for an employee event to be held at the NBSDD location, the old Chevron property along Fournace between Loop 610 and Sourth Rice. The last employee event created numerous noise complaints from neighbors in the area.

However, with a second request for the event on September 18, 2023, City Council approved the event.  Per the agenda item, “From 9:00 a.m. until noon, the DJ will be available for announcements regarding the field day activities. No music will be played on Friday or Saturday other than from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and will include intermissions.”  Essentially only the live music will be missing.  Only Council member Lewis voted against, the rest of Council jumped on board . 

Music will still be played though the City leaders assured us that the noise will be controlled.  Noise enforcement will be the duty of Bellaire PD if residents complain.  Listen to the meeting here.  My question is, how does a private event that runs from 8 am to 7 pm, attended by an estimated 4,000 employees and with a PA system and a DJ in attendance, benefit residents of the City of Bellaire?  What do Bellaire residents think about this reversal of votes?  Find the Agenda Item here.

Meanwhile, the Mayor is boosting the approval of a new noise ordinance.

And there will be a Public Hearing on October 2, 2023, for the proposed tax rate for 2023.  Council approved the City Budget FY2024 at the September 18, 2023, meeting.

Send comments or questions to the Mayor and members of City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, tdutton@bellairetx.gov and request they be forwarded to the Mayor and Council.

Mayor Friedberg announces plans for a new, temporary office location for Public Works,  The new offices will  be in leased space in an office building located in the immediate area.  Follow the link above for more information.  The Public Works building was located on Edith St, and after a second flood in 2015 it was quietly demolished and offices are now in a temporary structure.  The list of proposed Capital Improvement Plans FY2024-2028  includes $547,000 for repairs and improvements to the Public Works campus, though no location is specified.   A new Public Works building is listed FY2026 at an estimated cost of $9.8 million.      Continue reading →

On Tuesday, August 15, 2023, a Special Session discussion with members of City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission will be held at 6:00 PM.  Find the full agenda here.

“Presentation and discussion of results from the Bellaire Today phase (May-July), and provide input and direction for the Bellaire Tomorrow phase (August-November), of the Comprehensive Plan review process – Facilitated by Gary Mitchell, President of Kendig Keast Collaborative.”     Continue reading →

Bellaire City Council will hold a Public Hearing for the 2024 City Budget on Monday, August 7, 2023.  The bottom line for the budget is $60.8 million.  Find the PowerPoint presentation here. 

Find the proposed budget FY2024, presented to Council on July 17, 2023, here.   Find a link to the entire meeting here.

Highlights include holding to a nominal tax rate with anticipated increases in revenues from property taxes and sales taxes.  Medical and pension costs will increase and a COLA of 4% is proposed. Residents can expect increased rates for water, wastewater, and solid waste services.    Continue reading →

UPDATE 7/19/23: City Council chose to postpone a decision on the Methodist Hospital application.  Council member Lewis stated she had counted 175 resident comments opposing the development in that location, 16 in favor, including physicians and patients.    Continue reading →

See the Cost

Many years ago Bellaire solid waste collection was changed from containers to plastic bags. For decades bags have been distributed for free on a quarterly basis, delivered to each residence. Residents are indirectly paying for the bag expense through their water bills, at something like $6 per roll. The current annual cost for this service is over $138,000. But it turns out that up to 25% of residents may not even use the City bags and prefer to purchase other bags, while others double bag because they fear leaks.    Continue reading →

A unanimous decision by City Council at the July 10, 2023, Council meeting finally provided a solution for our dog pound problems.

Find a message from Mayor Friedberg here.  Problem Solved:  Not One Dog Pound but Two    Watch the meeting here, the pound discussion starts about 1:16 into the video.

The City of Bellaire is conducting a survey to learn more about your preferences and opinions about Bellaire’s future and the comprehensive plan.  Please take the time to read each question before responding.  What would you like to see in a future Bellaire?    Continue reading →

The June 9, 2023, Planning and Zoning meeting was short, but interesting.  It included a public hearing regarding proposed ordinance amendments and a presentation of the proposed 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).  Find a link to the meeting here.

Public Hearing

Public comments were encouraged on changes to the following zoning ordinances:

• Through Lots Prohibited, to allow for the approval of through lots if a property meets certain zoning requirements.  No public comments.
• To increase the necessary documentation submittal requirements during city plan review related to environmental assessment reporting. No public comments.
• To increase the allowable scoreboard signage area and allow team accolades as apart of the scoreboard signage – to allow team accolades.  Two comments.

The Draft CIP FY2023-2027

Take a look!

Each year as Bellaire City Council begins budget discussions for the upcoming fiscal year 5-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) may be updated.  A proposed 5-year CIP was presented to P&Z by Joshua Pascua, Capital Projects and Grants Manager in Public Works, on June 8, 2023.   Continue reading →

Enlarge the photo for a 1954 view of Weingartens Grocery, now the Randalls site, thanks to Mike McCorkle. Find his photo history of Bellaire at www.bellairebook.com.    Continue reading →

Bellaire City Council – Agenda for June 5, 2023 @ 6:00 PM – Public Hearing – Houston Methodist Hospital 
UPDATE: View the June 5th Public Hearing here  The application may be submitted to City Council for consideration and approval on July 17, 2023.    Continue reading →

There were three Public Hearings scheduled for Monday’s City Council meeting on May 15, 2023, at 6:00 PM.  However the Noise and Lighting hearing has been withdrawn.  The withdrawal notice mentions a possible Town Hall at a later date.  Regardless, if you have suffered from loud noise or bright lights, why not let Council know?  Public comments to the Mayor and Council are welcome in person or via email via tdutton@bellairetx.gov.

1. Public Hearing – Speed Bumps along 5200 Spruce
2. Community Block Grant – Cypress Slough Ditch
3. Noise and Lighting Ordinances – Withdrawn

Have you ever given any thought to running for Bellaire City Council?  Do you want to make a difference in our community?  

The City of Bellaire holds non-partisan city elections for Mayor and members of City Council in off years, and the next election will be in November of 2023. The current Mayor is term limited and cannot run again, and Council seats 2, 4, and 6 will also be on the ballot.  Find full information the Mayor and Council here.  No previous experience necessary, just common sense and a willingness to work to benefit your Bellaire neighbors and improve your community.

Below is an excerpt from the terms for office and below that you’ll find the information posted on the City website for the 2023 election.    Continue reading →

Regarding a proposed moratorium on applications for development in the commercial areas of Bellaire, our City Attorney advised City Council that such a moratorium would take many months to enact and involves specific limitations, including a demonstration that a current commercial ordinance proves to be inadequate to prevent new commercial developments from being detrimental to public health, safety, or welfare.  At that point the discussion just faded away.   

Now on to our current conundrum regarding a proposed Methodist development on the old Randalls site. Residents may find this to be the best choice in a district that allows tall mixed-use/multi family structures!   

Those Yellow Signs Along Bissonnet in the
Museum District Area Are Back!   

Continue reading →

Planning and Zoning ordinances are the result of decisions made by the Planning and Zoning Commission, comprised of Bellaire residents who volunteer to serve, and then with final approval of the ordinances by City Council.

P&Z Commissioners and members of City Council may be attorneys or artists, oil and gas executives or real estate agents, retired engineers or homemakers. They are seldom professional city planners or traffic flow analysts, and they rely on the advice of City staff, City management, and occasionally outside consultants.  

Bellaire has debated the question of protecting residential zoning versus encouraging commercial ventures for 50 years or more. Overreach by developers was a primary cause of the recall election in the 1970s.         Continue reading →

Speed Bumps Requested For The 5200 Block of Cedar

A public hearing before the City Council is scheduled for Monday, May 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., on a petition from 80% of the property owners along the 5200 block of Cedar Street for the installation of traffic control devices (speed humps) on said block.  Find the Notice here.

Workshop: Installation of  a Rooftop Solar Energy System on City Hall
Submitted by Sharon Citino, City Manager; presented by Rajiv Pandya, Environmental Sustainability Board Member.

Watch the Council Meeting here –The Workshop portion of the meeting begins about 1:11 into the video.     Find the PDF of the proposal here

Per this proposal the cost for solar panel installation on the roofs of City Hall and the adjoining Civic Center is approximately $250,000.  There are numerous charts and spreadsheets.    Continue reading →

At the P&Z meeting of April 13, 3023, the application by Methodist Hospital for the redevelopment of the old Randall’s site at 5130 Bellaire was approved by a by a vote of 3 to 2.  The application includes a 3-story, 55′ tall, 95,000 sq. ft. structure in the center of downtown Bellaire.  Find the full video of the meeting here, including comments by Bellaire residents. 

A clear majority of Bellaire residents who spoke at meetings or sent emails oppose the idea of large buildings on that site.  Most of those in favor were physicians associated with Methodist Hospital.  The representative for Methodist advised that all of the land and improvements would be subject to property taxes, and that seemed to sway some of the Commission members.  The application will now move on to Bellaire City Council for consideration and approval.

Please email comments, concerns, or questions to the Mayor and members of City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov and request that your email be forwarded to the Mayor and Council.

Methodist Hospital P&Z Presentation Of March 9, 2023

A Public Hearing Before City Council For The Closure Of A Portion Of Mapleridge
Has Been Scheduled At City Hall on Monday, March 6, 2023 @ 6 PM

UPDATE 4/4/2023: The applicant requested a delay on their application and staff issued a new deadline. The deadline has passed and the application will no longer be considered by City Council.  That portion of Mapleridge will remain open.

Continue reading →

UPDATE 4/21/2023:  The application was approved by P&Z on a 3 to 2 vote at the April 13th meeting. 

UPDATE 3/23/2023: Until a hearing is scheduled before City Council residents may continue to send their comments on this application to zoning@bellairetx.gov

• Methodist is tax-exempt and the new Methodist buildings could be exempt from property taxes.  The land is owned by Weingartens; there is uncertainty about whether property taxes on the land could also be exempt.  UPDATE:  A Methodist representative stated that property taxes would be paid on the land and the improvements.
• Possible flooding in underground parking during flood events.
• Quite a bit of concern about traffic problems, especially off South Rice.
• Methodist does have an ‘out’ from the lease.
• Proposal needs to be consistent with the zoning ordinance and with the Comprehensive Plan.

Continue reading →

Council approved the updates.  Watch the full meeting here: https://bellairetx.new.swagit.com/videos/208623     Next up may be lighting and noise pollution.  Find more information in this post.   

Check out the new City of Bellaire website.  It’s bright and inviting, accessible and informative.  And it’s no longer grey!     Continue reading →

2023 has already required plenty of time and effort from the members of the Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission.  

A Public Hearing Will Be Scheduled on a Proposal From
Methodist for the Randalls Site

During the January 23 meeting City staff liaison Monique Alejos reported on the receipt of a formal application to P&Z for the planned development of the Methodist medical office building at the former Randalls property on Bellaire Blvd. They are waiting on additional documentation before scheduling the public hearing.  Apparently Methodist has signed a 35-year ground lease for the property. Find a link to the January, 2023, meeting here.  Expect more information on the Methodist application on this site in a few weeks!

The February 9, 2023, of the P&Z meeting focused on discussion and final consideration on a new Noise and Lighting ordinance.        

The noise portion covers residential, commercial, and City activities.  What about weekend hours for construction work?  There’s a long list of noise complaints in the Agenda statement.  The research was impressive and the discussion was thoughtful and reasonable. Find a link to the February 6, 2023, P&Z meeting here and the Agenda statement here.  P&Z will send a letter of recommendation to City Council on the proposed updates.      Continue reading →

February 7, 2023

Dear Mayor and Members of Bellaire City Council,

After the Council meeting on January 23, 2023, I drove by the location of the West University dog pound. It is situated with the City’s wastewater plant at 2801 Braeswood, literally on the north bank of Brays Bayou. More information on the West University Kennel can be found here: https://www.westutx.gov/318/City-Kennel

The location of that pound led me to wonder if the Bellaire pound could remain on Edith St. It’s a quiet area for the dogs and our residents. Yes, it’s in a flood zone, so why not elevate the pound site and add detention if required?  

Please, drive by the site of the new O’Reilly’s Auto Parts. Due to the current zoning in the UV-D the side of the building now faces Spruce St. The foundation facing the street is elevated far above the original lot.      Continue reading →

February 7, 2023 – Please take the time to view Mayor Friedberg’s February 6, 2023, presentation on the State of the City. Thanks to no floods, a new City Manager, and some fiscally conservative decisions Bellaire is doing well. Bonded debt has fallen below the $100 million dollar mark, we have received millions in grant monies, to be used for parks and public works projects. This report provides an overview of City Departments and the state of the City’s finances.

On December 19, 2022, Bellaire City Council approved a work order contract with Ardurra Group Incorporated (Ardurra) to manage a regional drainage improvement program.  The twelve month contract cost is not to exceed $390,795.  Ardurra will produce monthly reports for City Council.  Find the full Agenda Statement for the January 23, 2023,meeting here.     Continue reading →

UPDATE 1/24/2023:  At last night’s meeting, Bellaire City Council members agreed to postpone a decision on the location of a new dog pound.  Instead they have requested that City staff provide more information on zoning issues for the 1311 N. First St in Bellaire location,  They also suggested that staff explore other possible locations, within the City or at least close to City limits.  Several residents either spoke or emailed to request that the pound be located within Bellaire. Most of the Council members seemed to agree. Find a link to the meeting here.  Stay tuned!

1/23/2023 – Monday night’s City Council meeting will include approval or rejection for grant applications and expenditures for various utility and equipment items.  

Agenda Statement Report Submitted by Chief of Police Onesimo Lopez

But the last item on the Agenda may generate a fair amount of discussion.  It’s the possible action to approve replacement of Bellaire’s dog pound.

The cost to the City if the pound is built on City land located in the UV-T, in the Westpark/610 area and originally estimated at $225,000, is now $403,120. Less a $100,000 donation from the Jerry and Maury Rubenstein Foundation the final cost would be around $300,000.

If the pound is moved to the Rubenstein property at 2328 W. Bellfort in Houston, with costs paid by the Rubenstein Foundation, the cost to the City would be about $35,000.  Quite a difference in price, but also quite a bit more travel time for Bellaire residents and Bellaire police officers.  The pound is checked at least twice daily, including weekends. Find a floor plan drawing below:    Continue reading →

Some great news!  Per the most recent Mayor’s Musings January 13, 2023:

Another $3.3 Million in Grant Funding Coming Our Way

A great way to start the new year, we’ve recently been informed that several of our federal and state grant applications have been approved.

With sincere appreciation to Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher for once again going to bat for us, Bellaire secured $3 million in the latest round of federal appropriations.

Find the entire report here    

The Environmental Sustainability Board will vote on submission of a resolution to City Council to install solar panels on the roof of City Hall at the January 4, 2023, meeting. 

Click on the image above to view an earlier ESB presentation prepared by ESB member Rajiv Pandya.  Mr. Pandya is a principal with SHINE Partners, which builds solar projects.

The estimated cost is $244,500.  Proposed financing includes Federal tax credits, a 5-year grant from Shell, and City of Bellaire funds.  

Please email comments, concerns, or questions to the Mayor and members of City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov and request that your email be forwarded to the Mayor and Council.  

My sincere wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy holiday season and a wonderful start to 2023!  

Some quick updates:

The Dog Pound dilemma is scheduled to go to Council soon, probably in January.

The Board of Adjustment chose unanimously to approve additional signs at Bellaire High School, overruling our current zoning.  They would have done the same regarding the scoreboard on the new baseball fields, but two BOA members voted no.  Kind of makes one wonder how effective our zoning ordinances are, doesn’t it?  

Mayor Friedberg has posted information on Bellaire’s regional drainage program, Actionable Next Steps in Regional Drainage Improvement Program.  

Find more information on earlier City plans in this BCC.com article: Master Drainage Concept Plan for City of Bellaire – UPDATE – Preliminary Cost is $335 Million

The new bridges over Brays Bayou are almost complete, and hopefully will help to prevent future severe flooding in our area.  Find information from the Harris County Flood Control District here.

City Council held a workshop on Monday, November 21, 2022,  regarding the proposed new dog pound.  Find the meeting here.  Find the presentation for a new pound by Bellaire Chief of Police Lopez here. 

I encourage every Bellaire resident to view that meeting.  Let the Mayor and members of Council know what you think about the various plans and structures, and possible locations.  Should the facility remain in the City, or move to Houston?

The current shelter is located at 4300 Edith St and floodiing in that area has been a problem, thus the desire to move the facility to a new site.  Bellaire currently has an Animal Control officer, and BPD officers check on the shelter twice a day, including weekends.  Continue reading →

On August 20, 2020, Bellaire’s Board of Adjustment voted NO, 4 to 2, on a request from O’Reilly 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. Find the original plans here.  A representative for O’Reilly Auto Enterprises explained that a 2-story structure for the store was unnecessary and financially unfeasible.

At the joint workshop for City Council and Planning and Zoning, Bellaire Development Services Interim-Assistant Director Christian Somers exlained that O’Reilly Auto Parts will have a new building in the same location on Spruce, described as a redevelopment project. 

Due to the current zoning, customer parking will be along one side, in front of what will now be the storefront.  In order to meet the setback and the 2-story zoning requirements the building will be one-story with a 2nd story mezzanine at the front property line.

O’Reilly Auto Parts has been a good neighbor in that location for years, and many residents still remember Charlie Fischer’s original Hi-Lo Auto Supply.  

UPDATE: The discussion at the October 11, 2022 joint workshop included a decision to hire a consultant and suggestions on seeking public input, What do residents want in their commercial areas, especially the UV-D and the UV-T.  

Buildings at 4460 Bissonnet @ Newcastle in the CMU. The rear and the side of the building face a main thoroughfare. The garage towers over residences to the north.  

Would they prefer the opportunity to pull in and park in front of a shop or store?  What do they think about multi-story parking lots adjacent to multi-story office buildings, nextdoor to homes, as built at 4460 Bissonnet?    

What about a similar design on the old Randalls site?  Are Bellaire residents okay with zero setback, up to 90% lot coverage, and possibly a couple of 5-story buildings?  Please, let City Council and P&Z know what you think.      Continue reading →

UPDATE 10/21/2022: Because a unanimous decision was required to approve the requests the appeal for the oversized scoreboard was voted down.  However, by unanimous vote the Board of Adjustment voted in favor of additional signage at Bellaire High School even though they violated our zoning ordinances.  Here’s a link to that meeting.

UPDATE: The September 15th meeting was cancelled and is now scheduled for October 20, 2022 

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, October 20, 2022, due to the denial of sign permits per City Ordinances as follows:       Continue reading →

Bellaire City Council approved the final numbers for the 2023 City budget on September 19, 2022. First up was a vote to retain the current property tax rate of $ .4473, approved by 7-0.  A hearing on the tax rate is scheduled for October 3, 2022.  Find the complete FY2023 budget here.    Continue reading →

Options 1, 2 & 3

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?   Continue reading →

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.

A small town feel?

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 →

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 →

• Presentation by City Manager at the August 15, 2022, Council meeting
• Video of the August 15, 2022,  Budget Public Hearing and Council meeting here
• Find video of the August 16, 2022, Budget Workshop #3 here – discussion of the 8/15/2022 presentation listed above from.  More Budget Workshops are planned.
• Workshop #4 August 23, 2022    
• Workshop #5 August 29, 2022

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 →

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.

A copy of the budget document can be accessed and downloaded through this link:
https://bellairetx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29865/–FY-2023-Proposed-Budget-7-18-22          Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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.

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 →

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 regarding zero setback and building height.

Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

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.      

Considering the projected cost of the Master Drainage Concept Plan for City of Bellaire, with a preliminary amount of $221 million for Bellaire’s portion, it’s time to examine the history of Bellaire’s recent floods and the best way to fund projects for our area.  Find updated information on the interlocal plans among Bellaire, TX-DOT, and the Harris County Flood Control District for drainage here.  There’s high hopes that Project Brays will ameliorate some of Bellaire’s flooding, but apparently much depends on our drainage capacity.  Flooded streets are acceptable, flooded homes are not.      Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →

In December of 2018 Bellaire City Council viewed a presentation for an interlocal agreement among Bellaire, TX-DOT, and the Harris County Flood Control District.  In July of 2019 the City signed an interlocal agreement with Harris County Flood Control committing $351,000 to the agreement for a study.  A March, 2018 Flood Hazard Mitigation Report from ARKK Engineers is available here.    Continue reading →

After the departure this past July of Development Services director ChaVonne Sampson, Interim City Manager Brant Gary has proposed a plan to orchestrate a temporary reorganization of Public Works and Development Services into one department on a trial basis. This reorganization will be reviewed in  90 days.  Melding these two departments into one might lead to a reduction in staffing costs.  If it works out, hopefully we stand to save millions on a new Public Works building, too.  Time will tell.

Open to view the list of future Capital Improvement Projects – FA9902 for Public Works Bldg

Many Bellaire residents are unaware that our Public Works building, built in 1984, was demolished in 2016.  City management and six members of City Council decided that after a second flood it was not worth renovating and so it was torn down.  Estimated cost at that time to repair the building was $619,750, with no additional flood prevention measures.

A second option was repair and improvements, then adding a concrete wall, in essence a dam, around the structure to hold back future flood waters, at a higher cost.  There is no record of discussion about elevating all or part of the original building.

Insurance proceeds of approximately $300K would have paid for part of those repairs. Instead those proceeds were used to demolish the structure and Council chose to plan on a new building, at an estimated cost of less than $3 million dollars.  Five years later, per the most recent list of proposed Capital Improvements FY2022-2026, the estimated cost is $11.5 million.   

The loss of our Public Works building is just one of the many choices made by recent City Councils that have affected our finances. In 2016 Council also approved a $54 million dollar bond issue.  Which is how the City has accumulated $110 million dollars of debt, one of the highest debt-per-capita in the state. 

Prior to the Council election in 2019 a plans were underway for another $47 million or more in bonds, however for now bond issues are no longer under discussion.  

Find some background the recent bond issue here: Bellaire’s Future & the Status of the 2016 Bond Funds

Flood Insurance

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.

New policies beginning Oct. 1, 2021, will be subject to the new rating methodology. Also beginning Oct. 1, existing policyholders eligible for renewal will be able to take advantage of immediate decreases in their premiums.

All remaining policies renewing on or after April 1, 2022, will be subject to the new rating methodology.  

Find information on the National Flood Insurance Risk Rating methodology here.

A $200,000 Dog Pound Proposal on the Council Agenda for November 15, 2021.  An average of 3-4 dogs per month are impounded.  If a dog is not picked up by its owner, after 3 days the dog will be taken to a local vet for vaccinations and a checkup.  After the dog has been seen by the vet, the Animal Control Officer will work with outside agencies for adoption.  Estimated cost to construct a new pound is $400,000.  Estimated cost to purchase a modular building is $200,000.

Meanwhile, Council approved up to $150,000 for a new bathroom to replace the use of a porta-potty at Mulberry Park. Construction may include a prefab building and will require sewer and water line connections.

You can email comments to the Mayor and members of City Council to our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, and ask that they be forwarded.  tdutton@bellairetx.gov

UPDATE 6/14/2024:  The Planning and Zoning Commission members unanimously approved the application for a development on less than 2 acres n a 4-acre minimum PD at the the corner of Bissonnet and Loop 610.  They were informed the new development would conform to the requirement. The application will now proceed to City Council for consideration and approval.  

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 →

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 

Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

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

SLS Properties’ application for development of the NBSDD, the old Chevron site, has been published by the City of Bellaire.  There will be a Public Hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 6 PM in City Hall.  Find the full Agenda including detailed descriptions and renderings of the proposed development here, beginning on page 45 of the PDF.

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 →

FEMA letters in 2021 to the Mayor and to the Interim City Manager.

UPDATE 6/2024: Bellaire residents may be eligible for a 15% discount on flood insurance as of October 15, 2023.  Find more information here.

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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!

Find background on this project here:  No Logo, No Welcome Sign – Just A Parking Lot At The Main Entrance To The City Of Bellaire?

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 →

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Timeline of Water Pressure and Service Updates

CenterPoint Energy has provided an update regarding power outages and restoration.  Please click on this link CenterPoint Energy Update Press Release 2/19/2021 to read the press release.

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. Listen to the meeting here. Continue reading →

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 →

The item below is from the Mayor’s blog on 11/10/2020 explaining the City Council’s actions at the November 2, 2020, meeting for approval HISD’s application for construction of two baseball fields on the old Gordon Elementary property. 

A modified design and 20 conditions:  The shape of the outfield has been modified to save several more of the mature oak trees on the Avenue B side of the property, while also allowing for additional on-site parking.  To offset the loss of those trees that will need to be removed, HISD will be planting at least 34 new ones.  Should any of the trees to be preserved not survive construction, HISD will be required to replace them with trees of the same size and species if possible, and if not then with multiple smaller trees (each a minimum 8”) that collectively equal the same total caliper size.

Fencing around the entire perimeter of the property will further protect the neighbors by deterring on-street parking, an advantage over the 2017 approved plan.  Unlike some of the alternative options that were presented, ingress and egress on Bissonnet only has been restored, to reduce traffic impacts on residential streets.  Numerous other conditions attached to the permit are directly responsive to community concerns, including a net reduction in storm water runoff and more on-site detention than the status quo.

We recognize this new site plan may not be entirely perfect in all respects and to all people—no more than the 2017 approved plan was—but hopefully once it’s operational it’ll prove generally acceptable to most.  Council carefully considered the thoughtful public comment we received, all of which contributed to a better outcome than would have been achieved otherwise.  The conditions below are reflective of and effectuate that input, in attempting to strike the right balance between HISD’s use of the property and reasonable protections for the neighborhood:

(a) No field lights or public address system shall be installed on the property;

(b) The facilities shall be for the sole and exclusive use of Bellaire High School and not by other entities without prior consent from the City Council of the City of Bellaire, Texas (the “City Council”);

(c) The site shall be locked when not in use.  However, the City of Bellaire Police Department shall have access to the site at all times.  The access plan shall be approved by the Bellaire Police Department;

(d) The facilities shall be used for only the following uses and times listed below, and any other use or time shall require prior approval from the City Council:

Bellaire High School varsity and junior varsity baseball and softball practices – on weekdays until 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays until 5:30 pm;

Bellaire High School junior varsity baseball and softball games, excluding tournaments – on weekdays until 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays until 5:30 pm; or

Bellaire High School baseball and softball community events, not to exceed two events for baseball per year and two events for softball per year – until 7:30 p.m.  For such events access/parking management plan shall be submitted to the City of Bellaire Development Services Director for review and approval prior to the event and specifically detail overflow parking and access management considerations to minimize impacts to adjacent residential streets and to prevent excess traffic congestion on Bissonnet Street;

(e) Construction ingress/egress shall be limited to Bissonnet Street, specifically restricting construction access through Avenue B and/or Feld Park, except as required to close the existing driveway to Avenue B and to plant trees along Avenue B;

(f) There shall be no net fill nor significant impediment to sheet flow on the site;

(g) The lowest visual impact netting material shall be utilized for all nets on the perimeter of the site.  The netting on the third base line of the baseball field shall be extended to protect parked cars;

(h) HISD shall meet the lot coverage and setback requirements of the Code of Ordinances of the City (applying to schools in residential areas);

(i) As represented by HISD at the public hearing before City Council on September 21, 2020, the fields must be graded to avoid runoff and may only be compacted consistent with residential greenspace and solely for the purposes of creating a safe playing surface;

(j) All trees shall be preserved behind residences on the west side of the property, on the south side of the property adjacent to Feld Park, and along Avenue B, excepting one tree in right field, and HISD shall take all reasonable measures necessary for such tree preservation, including but not limited to following the direction of a professional arborist.  However, if any of the above referenced trees on HISD property do not survive construction, HISD shall make all reasonable efforts to replace their lost tree(s) with tree(s) of the same size and species, in approximately the same location.  In the event that similar caliper trees are not available, are prohibitively expensive, or cannot reasonably be placed in the same location, HISD may replace their lost tree(s) with multiple similar species trees of minimum 8” caliper to collectively equal the caliper dimension of the tree(s) that do not survive;

(k) No artificial or impermeable turf may be used for the fields.  No tarps may be used.  No solid (plastic or otherwise) horizontal ground weed barriers may be installed;

(l) No concrete on site except as may be necessary under the batting cages, bleachers, restrooms and storage, for the parking lot, and for sidewalks and pathways which are necessary to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended;

(m) As represented by HISD at the public hearing before City Council on September 21, 2020, the result of the drainage study and drainage plan (including the use of on-site detention) must reflect a net benefit in reduction of runoff and on site detention in comparison to the current condition, taking into account all changes;

(n) Upon the request of City staff (at the direction of Council or on its own accord), HISD must provide an officer to assist with traffic during any games or events;

(o) The pre-existing sidewalk on Avenue B and Bissonnet must be preserved;

(p) No video monitors;

(q) The only on-site lights on the property shall be low impact safety lights directed away from residences;

(r) Except for on the parking lot driveway, HISD shall construct a fence around the entire property inside of the existing sidewalk;

(s) Ingress/egress to the property shall be only on Bissonnet Street; and

(t) On-site parking shall include a minimum of 48 parking spaces.

Find an earlier article here:  51 Trees May Be Removed From The Gordon Elementary Campus