How do you like Houston's lack of zoning? (Baytown, Sugar Land: houses, schools)

[pacojoe]

I'm just curious about what Houston residents think of their city's zoning laws, or lack thereof.

From my outsider's perspective, I could definitely see some problems with it. You can end up with a jumbled mess of development with factories next to houses and schools, and that could definitely be a problem.

On the other hand, it seems like it would be really attractive to a lot of businesses, since town hall wouldn't be telling them where they can and can't set up shop. If things are more decentralized, it might also relieve traffic congestion a lot.

At least, that's my impression. What do you think?

[HtownLove]

absolutely love it.

[Lost_In_Translation]

We have alot of land use restrictions that make up for lack of zoning and HOA's and MPC's create defacto zoning by restriction of use. And if you're really trying to **** off neighbors by putting a strip club next to a church, you'll find your business never able to meet code. So, in its own jumbled way, it works for the most part.

[Nairobi]

I like how highrises can pop up all over the city. But the whole jumbled "factory next to aschool" situation can be annoying.

[Dopo]

love it

Zoning is rich people's anti-business socialism.
Making "big government" take businesses freedoms away to make sure they live in a secluded area.

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

I like how highrises can pop up all over the city. But the whole jumbled "factory next to a school" situation can be annoying.

This isn't a problem unless you live on the East side of Downtown or Baytown.

You don't see it anywhere else in the city.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by Metro Matt

This isn't a problem unless you live on the East side of Downtown or Baytown.

You don't see it anywhere else in the city.

Should've been clear that was a joke. However, all of Houston has no zoning, not just the east side.

[llmrkc07]

Convince that's the best thing about the "no zoning"... everything is pretty close you don't have to drive miles and miles to do things..NO ZONING IS THE BEST THING FOR THIS CITY because its so large.

[usc619]

No Zoning sucks, that's why most people here head to the MPCs. I find it funny when folks who live in the MPCs, Sugarland, Woodlands,Most of Katy, the villages, etc.. claim they like Houston's no zoning lmao. "NIMBY" Got to love it.

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

I like how highrises can pop up all over the city. But the whole jumbled "factory next to aschool" situation can be annoying.

Originally Posted by Metro Matt

This isn't a problem unless you live on the East side of Downtown or Baytown.

You don't see it anywhere else in the city.

It's not a problem on any side of Houston because there are codes and restrictions. Baytown is also a zoned city, by the way.

I like Houston's no zoning. I wish the city was more aggressive in creating areas that are as close to zoning as you can get (for urban development), but the city is passing ordinances one by one, so we'll see. I also wish the large ETJ that Houston has, but will never annex (Katy area, Cypress area, Klein/Spring area, Atascocita area) were allowed to incorporate into their own cities. Or maybe a managment district. Something. Areas along I-10 in Katy look pretty ugly compared to say 288 in Pearland or 59 through Sugar Land. You can tell when you enter/leave the unzoned big city and enter/leave the zoned suburbs. I live in probably the most zoned metro area in America (there are very few unincorporated areas in DFW and they are all small....everything is pretty much in a city or town). Zoning does make the freeways here look nicer, and gives the area a less hectic feeling than Houston (as well as a sterile feel). Downside is that access to things isn't as easy. Zoning isn't really that big of an issue, IMO.