NO ZONING - tell me about it...positives and negatives (Houston: crimes, transfer)

[houstoner]

Originally Posted by westres1

yes it is good for small business but it also makes Houston different. It has a strange vibe that other cities lack. you can have a 400,000 house next to a lot filled with old toilets or a mansion next to a crack house. It is weird but it is Houston. I voted for zoning in the 90's and I dont think it has been up since then. I want strip clubs in their own zip and a little more structure but it is what it is.

That reminds me of a story I read a few years ago. I don't recall where, I think it may have been in the Press. At one point it pointed out that living in Houston the weirdness that comes with the lack of zoning becomes so normal to you as a Houstonian that when you visit other American cities, they almost seem exotic with their urban planning, distinct boundaries, and districts.

[theSUBlime]

Originally Posted by houstoner

That reminds me of a story I read a few years ago. I don't recall where, I think it may have been in the Press. At one point it pointed out that living in Houston the weirdness that comes with the lack of zoning becomes so normal to you as a Houstonian that when you visit other American cities, they almost seem exotic with their urban planning, distinct boundaries, and districts.

It's so true. I admit I like Boston, but it can drive a Houstonian nuts sometimes!

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by usc619

yes, it's a place where you can set up a rental slum right next to a pre-school and not pay the water bill, not keep the place up to code, and maybe even have an apartment fire to top it off.
Don't worry, the city and the state will do nothing about it.
Judge decides local mobile home park is unsafe to live | TOP STORIES | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas (http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou090320_mp_sewage-mobile-home-park.55eacead.html - broken link)

City of Houston shuts down Almeda Chateau complex in southeast Houston - 3/09/09 - Houston News - abc13.com

Houston News | Video On Demand | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas

Everyone of those stories you posted happens everyday in every major city across the country, not just Houston. Sometimes getting things done too little too late occurs & you just have to deal with it. Sad situation for those folks, but come on it was a trailer park, what do you expect for 2 or 300 dollars per month?

[TFW46]

Sad situation for those folks, but come on it was a trailer park, what do you expect for 2 or 300 dollars per month?

Yikes. I had almost the same reaction when I read that story this morning, but it sounds so much worse and uncompassionate when I see it in print.

[AK123]

If not formal zoning, I'd at least like to see more enforcement of city codes and ordinances in this respect. The recent move of taking down large number of billboards is a step in the right direction. I think the current mayor knows what he's doing in this respect.

I used to work in an industry where I was involved in moving people into new jobs around the country. When Houston came up, the feedback from potential transplants was usually negative. It seemed 90% of this had to do with the perceived ugliness of Houston - effects of no zoning, developers taking down forests (remember what the 290/Beltway intersection used to look like?), billboards, concrete... and equating that to lower quality of life. I saw a few companies up and transfer to Austin... they'd give other excuses why but I was pretty sure it was because they knew they'd attract more young, qualified workers that way. Quality of life and the way things look is more of an issue in recent years than it was a few decades ago. I think Houston is finally realizing this, and having to play catch-up.

If Houston wants to be a leader in nanotech, biotech, renewable energy, and continue to be a leader in medicine - it's going to have to become more attractive to the smart and talented employment pool who doesn't want to live just anywhere, but in a place where they can also have a nice quality of life and attractive surroundings.

[westres1]

If Houston wants to be a leader in nanotech, biotech, renewable energy, and continue to be a leader in medicine - it's going to have to become more attractive to the smart and talented employment pool who doesn't want to live just anywhere, but in a place where they can also have a nice quality of life and attractive surroundings.[/quote]
If you look at the pics in the photo link I think you will find Houston to be a very nice place. It has wonderful parks,trees,green spaces. Very good quality of life and affordable. It has low crime and nice people. Just because we have billboards, big freeways and a few strip clubs shouldnt keep business from coming to Houston.

[houstoner]

Originally Posted by AK123

If not formal zoning, I'd at least like to see more enforcement of city codes and ordinances in this respect. The recent move of taking down large number of billboards is a step in the right direction. I think the current mayor knows what he's doing in this respect.

I used to work in an industry where I was involved in moving people into new jobs around the country. When Houston came up, the feedback from potential transplants was usually negative. It seemed 90% of this had to do with the perceived ugliness of Houston - effects of no zoning, developers taking down forests (remember what the 290/Beltway intersection used to look like?), billboards, concrete... and equating that to lower quality of life. I saw a few companies up and transfer to Austin... they'd give other excuses why but I was pretty sure it was because they knew they'd attract more young, qualified workers that way. Quality of life and the way things look is more of an issue in recent years than it was a few decades ago. I think Houston is finally realizing this, and having to play catch-up.

If Houston wants to be a leader in nanotech, biotech, renewable energy, and continue to be a leader in medicine - it's going to have to become more attractive to the smart and talented employment pool who doesn't want to live just anywhere, but in a place where they can also have a nice quality of life and attractive surroundings.

I totally agree, except for the first part; I'm totally pro-zoning. I don't understand why or how it became such a four-letter word to most Houstonians. I'm hoping the current wave of transplants who actually seem to care about that pesky quality-of-life stuff will change this attitude here. There's some strange head-in-the-sand thinking that it's always been this way so it always will be this way that confounds me. The lack of zoning and the havoc it has wreaked on our (once) fair cityscape really becomes apparent when you look back at old photos of Houston back when it actually was a nice-looking city (no, really! I swear!) and see what we've lost. Because it isn't just the lack of zoning that's the problem, it's the anything-goes, let's not concern ourselves with aesthetics and just throw up a cracker jack box here and a Soviet Russia-style building there mentality that comes with it. It's a slippery slope that invites cheap, gauche CRAP, to be frank. I really think Houston will suffer for it in the long run. If you're always selling yourself as a low-rent city, don't be surprised when that's all you attract.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by houstoner

I totally agree, except for the first part; I'm totally pro-zoning. I don't understand why or how it became such a four-letter word to most Houstonians. I'm hoping the current wave of transplants who actually seem to care about that pesky quality-of-life stuff will change this attitude here. There's some strange head-in-the-sand thinking that it's always been this way so it always will be this way that confounds me. The lack of zoning and the havoc it has wreaked on our (once) fair cityscape really becomes apparent when you look back at old photos of Houston back when it actually was a nice-looking city (no, really! I swear!) and see what we've lost. Because it isn't just the lack of zoning that's the problem, it's the anything-goes, let's not concern ourselves with aesthetics and just throw up a cracker jack box here and a Soviet Russia-style building there mentality that comes with it. It's a slippery slope that invites cheap, gauche CRAP, to be frank. I really think Houston will suffer for it in the long run. If you're always selling yourself as a low-rent city, don't be surprised when that's all you attract.

No, I'm with you on zoning - I'd prefer it for sure, that's part of why we live in Sugar Land. But, I'd rather take something than nothing... so with all the support there's been for no-zoning in Houston, I'd at least like to see more city ordinances and such in this respect, that will somehow make up for it.

[Spade]

Originally Posted by houstoner

I totally agree, except for the first part; I'm totally pro-zoning. I don't understand why or how it became such a four-letter word to most Houstonians. I'm hoping the current wave of transplants who actually seem to care about that pesky quality-of-life stuff will change this attitude here. There's some strange head-in-the-sand thinking that it's always been this way so it always will be this way that confounds me. The lack of zoning and the havoc it has wreaked on our (once) fair cityscape really becomes apparent when you look back at old photos of Houston back when it actually was a nice-looking city (no, really! I swear!) and see what we've lost. Because it isn't just the lack of zoning that's the problem, it's the anything-goes, let's not concern ourselves with aesthetics and just throw up a cracker jack box here and a Soviet Russia-style building there mentality that comes with it. It's a slippery slope that invites cheap, gauche CRAP, to be frank. I really think Houston will suffer for it in the long run. If you're always selling yourself as a low-rent city, don't be surprised when that's all you attract.

Ouch. truth hurts though. It seems like Houston wants to always do things the cheap way. The Light Rail is a prime example. I will reiterate that Houston needs to look into heavy rail. Houston really needs some blood in leadership and throughout the communities in the next few years or even decades.

[theSUBlime]

I kind of like and dislike the no-zoning thing. I wish they would preserve older buildings though. I do see how it can be frustrating for homeowners, etc. and things are a little aesthetically unpleasing. However, I admit I miss my tacky old hometown! Let's face it, lack of zoning is one of the things that puts Houston on the map. I get starry-eyed when I talk about how I can walk from the grocery store, to the porn shop, and go clothes shopping all in the same block.