Bellaire City Council – Agenda for June 5, 2023 @ 6:00 PM – Public Hearing – Methodist Hospital – Application for a Planned Development, 5130 Bellaire Blvd; Regular Session will follow
Bellaire City Council – Agenda for June 6, 2023 @ 6:00 PM – Town Hall Meeting for Noise and LightingFY2023 City Budget
FY2023-2027 Capital Improvment Plan
Annual Debt Report 2021
Estimated Annual Debt Service FY2023
Bellaire Police Weekly Activity ReportsOur Environment
Recycling, organic gardening, less pesticides – all win/wins for our kids and our community. So are reusable bags!
Interested in composting? Check out Buchanan’s Composting 101 article.
Find other informative articles here.
Find a link to Bellaire’s ESB Learning Academy here.
Mosquito Spray Program Information Here’s a “No Spray Request” for citizens who do not want the spraying to occur near their home. “No Spray Request Form”
Problems with stray cats? Residents can borrow a live trap from the BPD, or buy and share a communal neighborhood trap. Please plan to feed them if they stick around. For low cost spay or neuter check with:
Check with SNAP https://www.snapus.org/houston/.
Friends for Life https://friends4life.org/programs-and-events/fixhouston/
HOPE https://www.homelesspets.net/feral-cats/
TNR Houston site: https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/trap_neuter_return.html – Very Helpful!
PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS.100 Years of Bellaire History!
October 28, 2022: Sadly we lost Lynn McBee in 2022. Her volunteerism. historical perspective on city administrations, and her skill in maintaining a written record of Bellaire’s history will be missed.
Click on the Trolley to view the Table of Contents for Lynn’s history of Bellaire. Great information on your Home Town!I couldn’t resist a photo of one of Bellaire’s manhole covers.
And for a terrific photo history check this out: www.bellairebook.com
New Bellaire High – Completion in 2022
Construction on the new Bellaire High school is complete. The original building was demolished during the week of July 13-17, 2021. Find more information here.
Left Overs From the 2016 Bond Issue
Spruce and Fifth Streets –
Now the subject of a lawsuit, the $3.2 million in contracts for this project called for completion by February 15, 2020. A drive through the area feels as though you’re in a rundown fun house. Here’s some background on this project.
Bolivar – What has happened to this quiet tree-lined cul-de-sac?
At a cost of amost $2 million more in bond funds.!
No More City Of Homes?
According to the City manager and staff our longtime City logo, representing Bellaire as a City of Homes, will soon be gone, thanks to City Council and the $50,000 branding study. Read more here.
Category Archives: Home
May/June 2023 Meetings – Methodist Application – Noise/Lighting Regulations – Comprehensive Plan
June 5, 2023 – Public Hearing Methodist Hospital June 6, 2023 – Town Hall Meeting for Noise and Lighting Regulations May 23 & 24, 2023 – Listening sessions for Comprehensive Plan Review June 13, 2023 – Forum on Comprehensive Plan … Continue reading
Upcoming Public Hearings At City Council on May 15, 2023
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, … Continue reading
Can You Find A Few Hours Each Week To Serve On City Council?
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, … Continue reading
How Would Bellaire Residents Feel About A Mini Ashby Highrise?
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 … Continue reading
A Short Primer on Bellaire’s Planning and Zoning
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 … Continue reading
City Council on April 17, 2023 – Speed Bumps, Solar Panels, And Outdoor Lighting
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 … Continue reading
Planning and Zoning Approves Methodist Application
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. Find the full video of … Continue reading
Bellaire Triangle Owners Offer $1.00 For Mapleridge Between Bellaire Blvd and Bissonnet
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 … Continue reading
An Opinion Piece – A Methodist Building In Center Of Town? Or Worse?
UPDATE: Bellaire P&Z Meeting on April 13, 2023 @ 6:00 PM: Update by Page Southerland Page, Inc. on behalf of The Methodist Hospital regarding site changes for traffic flow. Find the April meeting agenda here. Exits for right turns only. Find … Continue reading
Methodist Hospital P&Z Presentation Of March 9, 2023
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 … Continue reading
Positive Developments Ongoing At Bellaire City Hall
Sharon Citino, our new City Manager, is steadily filling open positions, including a new director, Travis Tanner, in Development Services. He came to City Council meeting on February 20, 2023, to propose some much needed changes to our city ordinance … Continue reading
Busy Bellaire P&Z Meetings Reveal Possible Application From Methodist And Ordinance Updates For Noise And Lighting
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 … Continue reading
Letter To City Council Re Bellaire Dog Pound
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 … Continue reading
Mayor Friedberg’s State Of The City Report, February 6, 2023
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 … Continue reading
First Report From Ardurra Group Hired To Oversee Regional Drainage Program for Bellaire
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 … Continue reading
Bellaire Dog Pound Proposal To Be Presented To City Council At The Jan. 23, 2023 Meeting
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. … Continue reading
Bellaire Is Due To Receive Over $3 Million In Grants
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 … Continue reading
ESB – Possible Proposal For Solar Panels On City Hall
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 … Continue reading
Happy Holidays!
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 … Continue reading
City Council Held A Workshop On The Proposed Bellaire Dog Pound
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 … Continue reading
O’Reilly Auto Parts Plans To Rebuild
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 … Continue reading
Councilmember’s Proposal For A Workshop On Zoning Is Sidelined
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. Would they prefer … Continue reading
HISD Requests Variances For Sign Ordinances: Now Scheduled for October 20, 2022
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 … Continue reading
FY2023 City Of Bellaire Budget Approved
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 … Continue reading
Houston Methodist Architect’s Presentation For A PD On The Randalls Site
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 … Continue reading
Big Plans For The Old Randall’s Space
Realty News Report’s Michelle Smith reports that the Randall’s space at 5130 Bellaire Blvd has been leased by a group associated with Houston Methodist Hospital. Find the article here. The old grocery store, erected in the 1950s, would be demolished … Continue reading
Renovation Plans For The Bellaire Triangle
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 … Continue reading
Proposed Budget FY2023 – Q&A Items You Can Review
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 … Continue reading
It’s Budget Time In Bellaire! Find The Proposed Budget, Also Plans for World Trade Center Artifact
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 … Continue reading
Harris County Flood Control District: Tunnel Visions
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 … Continue reading
Bellaire Hires A New City Manager
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 … Continue reading
A Softball Toss To A Commercial Developer?
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: … Continue reading
We Lost A Valued Member Of Our Community Today, Kathy Ballanfant
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 … Continue reading
It Looks Like We’re In For A Long, Hot Summer
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 … Continue reading
P&Z Public Hearing: A Mixed Use Development Is Proposed In The UV-T
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 … Continue reading
How Are Things Going In The UV-D District?
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 … Continue reading
Bellaire P&Z’s Discussion About Questionable Zoning Ordinances
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 … Continue reading
City Notice: Flood Risk Management in Bellaire Workshop Information
Bellaire City Council held a workshop on Monday, April 18, to continue their discussion on flood risk management in Bellaire. You can watch the video or view the presentation online. The next workshop is on May 2 at 6 pm … Continue reading
Discussion On Flood Mitigation At The April 4, 2022, City Council Meeting
Councilmember Gordon made a compelling presentation on flood mitigation in Bellaire at the recent Council meeting, which in turn sparked a lively and informative discussion on past floods and future possibilities. Find the PowerPoint Presentation here and a link to … Continue reading
Urban Renewal? PDs For 4800 Fournace & 5901 South Rice Avenue Are Approved
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 … Continue reading
P&Z Hearing March 10, 2022, For 5201 Bellaire Blvd
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 … Continue reading
PDs on Fournace & South Rice Were The Subject of A Third Council Meeting
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 … Continue reading
State of the City of Bellaire
The State Of Our City – February, 2022 On February 7, 2022, Mayor Friedberg delivered his State of the City Address. Prominent in the presentation was on the hiring of a City Manager, Council priorities, filling staff vacancies, and City … Continue reading
Why Are We Really Losing City Staff? What Should We Expect From Management and City Council?
In the last 6 months of 2021 numerous mid-level and high-level employees left the City of Bellaire’s employ. A recent claim of the Mayor and his candidates in the 2021 City election was that City employees are unhappy and leaving … Continue reading
Variance Request For SW Corner of Bissonnet @ Loop 610 – Update and Public Information Request
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 … Continue reading
Master Drainage Concept Plan for City of Bellaire – UPDATE – Preliminary Cost is $335 Million
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 … Continue reading
City Council Election And More Possible Changes At City Hall
The election for Mayor and three members of City Council is over. A slate of candidates has been elected: Winfred Frazier, Ross Gordon, and Brian Witt, who ran as a slate and were supported by the Mayor, who ran unoppposed. … Continue reading
P&Z Wll Consider 3 PD Applications For The NBSDD, The Former Chevron Site
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 … Continue reading
A Few Of Bellaire’s Many Comprehensive Plans
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?
Trying To Deconstruct The Bellaire City Budget
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 … Continue reading
North Bellaire Special Development District Updates
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 … Continue reading
Loss Of The 15% Discount For Flood Insurance – How And When Did This Happen?
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 … Continue reading
Any Thoughts On Short Term Rentals In Bellaire?
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 … Continue reading
Some Thoughts On The Orations By Members Of City Council Re The Proposed NBSDD
UPDATE May 25, 2021: The new zoning ordinance was approved by 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 … Continue reading
UPDATE on Public Hearing Before City Council – Proposed Zoning For The Old Texaco/Chevron Property
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 … Continue reading
Bellaire City Library’s 70th Anniversary!
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 … Continue reading
The Parking Lot At 4300 Bellaire Blvd Will Soon Be Gone!
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 … Continue reading
The Next Step For SLS Properties (The Old Chevron Property)
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 … Continue reading
Another Last Minute Request For Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars
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 … Continue reading
Bellaire’s Timeline For Water Service + CenterPoint Update 2-19-2021
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 … Continue reading
Update on NBSDD Public Hearing on January 14, 2021
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 … Continue reading
North Bellaire Special Development District – The Great Wide Open!
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 … Continue reading
HISD UPDATE FOR BELLAIRE HIGH BASEBALL FIELDS
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 … Continue reading
Branding, Pathways, Spruce St – What’s Up at Bellaire City Council?
Are you aware of the Branding Study? Over $50,000 has been spent as of March 15th but the cost could climb! The result was a new logo to replace our longtime and much loved one. It’s a B with a … Continue reading