What is the "preservation of prevailing lot sizes?"The City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Section 42-213, allows neighborhoods to protect their lots from being sub-divided into smaller lots. The amended ordinance reads reads as follows:
Why protect our lot sizes?An important element of our neighborhood's unique character is the size of our lots. It affects our quality of life as evidenced by some nearby Houston neighborhoods that are experiencing problems due to over-crowding. Where lot sizes have diminished, the number of housing structures have grown, causing heavy traffic, little parking, overloaded water and sewer lines, flooding and so on. We can help prevent these problems by taking advantage of the amended ordinance. We have worked hard to protect our property. Once the minimum lot size is established for a block, the lots in that block can not be subdivided and two or three townhomes or patio homes can not be constructed on a single lot. How can I find out which blocks in Proctor Plaza have been protected?Go to the link, “Status of Blocks by Street”. What is the criteria for seeking this protection?• Area must be at least one block face in size. • You must be a resident on one of the block faces you seek to protect. • 75% of all lots, excluding corner lots, must be within the “prevailing” lot size, plus or minus 10%. • Protected area must be at least 60% residential with one single-family resident per lot. • 51% of the property owners must sign in support of the petition to protect the block face(s). What can I do if I want to protect my block?The first step is to get 51% of the property owners to sign a petition in favor of the protection. Go to the link, “Form for Signatures”, at this website. It is not necessary to complete the top portion of the form. That will be done when you turn in the signatures.
How can I inform my neighbors that I will be contacting them to get their signature? There is a flyer available that you can distribute to the home owners on your block. How can I determine who the property owners are on my block?Go to www.hcad.org . This is the website for the Harris County Appraisal District. Click on “Records”. Then click on Real Property – Property Addresses. Enter the range of block numbers and the street for your block. (Note to web master: can we provide a link to that address?) Do I have to complete the application and submit it to the City?No. the Prevailing Lot Size Protection Chairperson will do this for you. The only thing you have to do is get 51% of the property owners to sign the petition, called “Evidence of Support ”. Where do I get the form (or petition) for signatures?It is not necessary to complete the top portion of the form. That will be done when you turn in the signatures.
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