Update: Preservation ordinance amendments passed

Houston City Council passed amendments to the current preservation ordinance that will make it easier for residents to designate neighborhoods as historic districts, and a two year building permit penalty if any historic landmark or structure in a historic district is demolished. For district designation, there will need to be a 51% consent of property owners, down from 67%.

The permit penalty will prohibit the city from granting building permits for a site where a historic structure was demolished - unfortunately, this will just mean that there will be an empty lot (maintained by?) for two years.

According to the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance:

The original version of the amendments had been approved by the City of Houston Archeological and Historical Commission, Planning Commission and the City Council’s Quality of Life Committee. The measures were also strongly supported by the preservation community and neighborhood associations including the Houston Heights Association and the Avondale Association. Houston Association of REALTORS also supported the amendments. The only significant opposition came from the Greater Houston Builders Association.

Photo: Flickr user theliar