LEADER LISTING The Leader • Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 • Page 1B
New M-K-T development comes to life
Shiny New Toy
By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
It’s after 6 p.m. on a Tuesday, and only one business at a 12-acre retail and office complex is open. Most of the other spaces are vacant, and many are just a shell with furniture, decorations, products – and people – to come later. Still, members of the Heights community venture onto the spacious property every few minutes. A couple rides through on their bikes, and young mothers pushing their babies in strollers turn off the adjacent trail, walk through an inviting archway and check out the modern-looking buildings separated by a mix of concrete paths and colorful, creative landscaping. And Steve Radom smiles, because what he’s witnessing is exactly what he and Scott Arnoldy envisioned when they came up with the idea for M-K-T two years ago. Their massive mixed-use development, which is a repurposed industrial warehouse complex at the northeast corner of North Shepherd Drive and 6th Street, was designed with cyclists and pedestrians in mind and meant to draw them in from the M-K-T/Heights Hike and Bike Trail immediately north of the property. “It’s so fun because, right now, there’s still no real reason to come,” Radom said. “But there are people on bikes, people who are exploring, pushing strollers. Seeing that is what gets me so excited.” The joint venture between Radom of Heights-based Radom Capital and Arnoldy of Triten Real Estate Partners started to come to life about
Photo by Adam Zuvanich Steve Radom of Heights-based Radom Capital, one of the developers of the M-K-T project at 600 N. Shepherd Dr., takes a photo of the property on Tuesday while standing on the adjacent M-K-T/Heights Hike and Bike Trail.
a month ago, when core-and-shell construction was completed on the 200,000 square foot development, with half of that space reserved for offices and the other half earmarked for restaurants and retail. The first two tenants, women’s clothing store June & Co. and photography studio Flower Vault, opened about two weeks ago. Many more businesses will open at M-K-T in the coming weeks and months as Radom said the development is about 60 percent leased, with the potential for it to be at least 80 percent leased by the end of the year. Arnoldy said the development will include seven restaurants and a wide range of retail and health-oriented businesses, from boutiques to fitness
studios to juice bars to a dental office. Among the businesses slated to open later this fall, according to Arnoldy, are boutiques Burdlife and Common Assembly, Union Studio Yoga and Pedego Electric Bikes. Annie Patten, owner of June & Co., said she’s already gotten some foot traffic and is looking forward to having more neighbors. “It’s going to be nice for some people just to walk over here and try different things,” she said. “You don’t have a lot of that in the Heights.” Boston-based Long Wharf Capital is an investment partner for Arnoldy and Radom, who enlisted the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture to design the project, Harvey Builders as the contractor and SWA Group
Houston as the landscape architect. Along with being accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and those with mobility challenges, the development also is colorful, eclectic and striking in appearance. Radom said works by Houstonbased artists Franchesca Fuchs, Michael Rodriguez and Sebastien “Mr. D” Boileau will be featured on or near the property, with Rodriguez and Mr. D painting murals on the undersides of oblong archways near the front of the development. Arnoldy said his favorite aspect of the project is its multi-colored lighting at night. The property’s signature feature is a 42-foot tall, 120-foot long gold archway called the “spine,” which serves as the entry point from
the trail and will connect five upcoming restaurants. There also is an Airstream with adjacent wooden deck parked near the southeast corner of the property, which Radom said can serve as a unique conference room for nearby office tenants. He said it’s stocked with a full bar, record player and television. While cycling through the property, Heights resident Brittney Rhude said it’s “really beautiful.” “A lot of times, renderings almost look better than the reality,” Arnoldy said. “This is one project where the reality might outmatch the renderings.” The reality of the time is not lost on M-K-T, which Arnoldy said is “almost COVID-friendly.” The developers did not envision going through a pandemic when they hatched the idea for the property, but they created a space conducive to fresh air and social distancing by incorporating open green spaces and patios. Radom called it a “happy accident” that originated from a desire to give Houstonians what they want in a commercial environment of the 21st century. He visited M-K-T on Tuesday by riding an electric scooter along the hike-and-bike trail from his office at the Heights Mercantile at 714 Yale St. “With no intention of COVID, because we planned this two years before, we wanted this to be a great destination,” he said. “We really planned a lot of great green space and great patios and walkways. They’re uncovered and they’re open, full of light. “To see this now and hear people appreciate it even more in the current environment, it just feels awesome. You wouldn’t necessarily change anything today knowing what you know. It’s not like you’d say, ‘Man, if I would have thought about COVID, I would have done something completely different.’ We would have done the exact same project.”
City’s preservation ordinance faces legal challenge By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Houston is well-known as a city without zoning laws, which allows real estate developers and property owners to build almost anything they want wherever they want. But some see zoning mechanisms within the city’s existing laws, one of which is being challenged in Texas’ highest court by a pair of Heights homeowners. The outcome could have significant ramifications throughout the neighborhood and many others around Houston. The Texas Supreme Court will hear arguments Jan. 5 regarding a lawsuit filed by Paul Luccia and Kathleen Powell,
who have sued the City of Houston over the Historic Preservation Ordinance it first passed in 1995 and amended in 2010. The suit claims the ordinance constitutes zoning and violates the city charter, which stipulates that zoning can only be approved by a citywide referendum. If Luccia and Powell win their case, the building requirements in the city’s ordinance could no longer be enforced in 19 Houston neighborhoods that have been designated as historic. Nine of those subdivisions are in the area covered by The Leader, including Heights East, Heights South, Heights West, Norhill and Woodland Heights. “If the Supreme Court rules
against the city, Houston will go back to having historic districts in name only,” Preservation Houston executive director David Bush said. “They could be called historic districts, but there wouldn’t be any protections from demolition or guidelines for alterations and new construction.” Luccia and Powell first sued the city over its Historic Preservation Ordinance after it was strengthened with enforcement protocols in 2010. A Harris County court sided with the city in 2017, and a state appellate court did the same in 2019. Matthew Festa, a professor at the South Texas College of Law Houston who is representing Luccia and Powell pro
bono, said the case before the Texas Supreme Court is different in that it argues whether or not the preservation ordinance is de facto zoning and therefore illegal. He said it should be considered zoning because it applies land-use regulations to an area defined by drawing lines on a map. Festa said the city’s Special Minimum Lot Size Area ordinances, in which property owners petition the city to ensure that undeveloped land is used for the same purpose and features similar characteristics within a designated geographical area, also constitutes as zoning. “They feel that this is an individual rights issue,” Festa said of his clients. “The fact
this is really zoning without using the ‘Z’ word completely violates that state law.” Festa said his clients are not against the concept of historic
preservation but take issue with the manner in which city leaders at the time enacted See Ordinance P. 8B
Real Estate Roundup
Traffic study pending for apartment complex the only U.S. state with three markets ranked among top global investment markets for multifamily products. According to CBRE data, DFW ranked fifth in the U.S. with $2.8 billion in global capital investments. Austin ranked ninth with $2.1 billion and Houston ranked 10th with $2 billion.
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Marquette, a Chicago-based real estate company with more than 11,000 apartment units under management, had purchased land from W2 Development Partners, who own White Oak Music Hall, to build a five-story apartment complex in Houston. This week, one of the variances requested by Marquette was deferred for additional study. Dipti Mathur, division manager for the development services division of the city’s Planning and Development Department, said that during the review process Marquette had been deferred once before but that this week was the first the company had submitted this project. “The project ultimately got approved with conditions to provide right-of-way widening on Keene street,” Mathur said. “The developer got denied for the variance along Keene Street. They may come back with this variance request after the Transportation Impact Analysis is reviewed by Houston Public Works traffic.” Mathur said the Traffic Impact Analysis will also consider neighbor questions about the project. Some nearby residents wonder how an accurate traffic count will take place during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Based on the information provided by the applicant, they use data prior to COVID,” Mathur said.
Contributed artist’s rendering Chicago-based developer Marquette plans to construct a five-story apartment complex near White Oak Music Hall.
The Park at Highland Pines The Park at Highland Pines is a private, gated 32-acre townhome development in Acres Homes built by Calidad Builders. Daniela Antelo with Keller Williams Houston Broker Team said the development also features a dog park, multiple guest parking spaces for friends and family, and large two-story homes with private yards. Home prices are in the $300,000 range. “All of our kitchens come with induction cook tops which can boil water quickly yet are cool to the touch,” Antelo said. “All floor plans have either a private yard or views to a communal green space to help create a sense of security and relaxation. There are four different floor plans you can choose from and we are currently pre-selling.” For more information, visit https://www.parkhtx.com/ or contact Antelo at antelodani@ gmail.com.
Hines establishes multifamily management firm Connect Media reported that Hines has launched Willowick Residential, a multifamily property management firm, named after founder Gerald D. Hines’ first multifamily residential building in Houston’s River Oaks area. In his firm’s early days, Hines managed The Willowick himself, believing an owner had greater insight and desire to manage a building properly. Willowick Residential will work in partnership with Hines’ multifamily portfolio of 63 projects across 38 U.S. cities. Houston top multifamily market for global capital Houston, along with other major Texas markets in Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin, ranks in the top 10 U.S. multifamily markets for inbound global capital (ranked by investment volume from 2015 to the first half of 2020), according to CBRE’s H1 2020 U.S. Multifamily Inbound Investment Trends report. Texas is
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Page 2B • Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 • The Leader
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By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
About 11 years ago, Michael Silva took a leap of faith into the real estate world at the suggestion of a friend. Now one of Houston Business Journal’s top 5 agents in the city by volume and transactions, he’s working every day to help Houston residents adjust to an ever-evolving world amidst COVID-19 the only way he knows how. Silva is the founder of Happen Houston, a boutique real estate brand built on what he said is the belief that real estate service is strategic in nature and should provide a lifetime of value. He and his team take a data-driven approach to real estate, providing custom strategies and ongoing guidance for each of their clients. “We’re not in the business of sales – we take the position of trusted advisors, and we have a lot of clients who would attest to that,� he said. “There are a lot of consumers who get connected with the wrong agent, and it’s hard to tell them apart because of how flooded the business is.� Silva and his agency of about a dozen other agents primarily handle listings. However, he said they’ve dipped a toe in the water on working with buyers as well. In a little more than a decade, he said Happen Houston has represented about 340 different buyers. This year, the company will represent about 250 sellers and 120 buyers. “We’re very familiar with both sides,� he said. Silva acknowledged, however, that 2020 has been far from typical on many fronts – not least of all because of the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted the Houston region since March. “Everything we knew about economic laws has pretty much gone out the window, so it’s been interesting to observe how it’s affected consumer confidence, priorities and behavior,� he said. “The desire for real estate, homes and ownership has shifted.� In Happen Houston’s primary markets – which include inner Beltway neighborhoods such as Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, the Heights, Shepherd Park Plaza and more – Silva said now more than ever, more consumers are changing homes and moving into the area. In turn, he said the need for a trusted advisor with accurate market knowledge is critical. And that’s when Happen Houston enters the picture. Part of it, Silva said, is evolving how they conduct showings and tours, which stopped almost completely in March and April due to fear over the pandemic. While still conducting in-person tours since May – complete with masks, gloves, social distancing and hand sanitizer – he said the agency’s method for transactions has evolved in a critical way – using technology. “I think the silver lining this year is that
people are in general becoming more human – technology was the thing, in a lot of ways, that was tearing us apart,â€? he said. “Now it’s the one thing that is bringing us closer and bringing more intimate interactions because there’s a lack of distractions.â€? The tools have always been there, he said. They’re simply coming into play more than ever. “(Virtual transactions) was all about timing and strategy. We were already on top of the (technological) market before COVID, now we’re just looking at things through a different and better lens,â€? he said. “Our job is to really instill confidence in the client and inspire them to make the right moves and decisions, and we’ve taken that to another level this year. ‌ We had a lot of tools already in the toolbox that we could use to make this transition easier.â€? As the country and their own local neighborhoods deal with a time that brings a plethora of uncertain scenarios, Silva said Happen Houston exists so that home buying and selling doesn’t have to be one of them and to truly work for the betterment of the client. “There’s so much going on right now, and that’s why it’s important to be working with a trusted advisor that has accurate market knowledge to make sure you’re making the right move. ‌ Your client should really be looking to you for that red light, green light, or to maybe pump the brakes advice,â€? he said. “One of the things you have to avoid is a ‘yes man.’ A trusted advisor speaks with a level of certainty that conveys experience and insight rather than arrogance and is not afraid to challenge the client so long as it’s in the client’s best interest.â€? On Happen Houston’s website, there is little in the way of marketing or descriptions of what they do. In its place, there are dozens of testimonials from satisfied clients that Silva believes speak for themselves. “You really went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience and we can’t thank you enough,â€? clients Zoe and Tom said. “We will definitely be recommending you to all our friends who are looking to buy.â€? Added clients Brittany and Jared: “We obviously don’t see the nitty gritty side of the business like you do daily, so it was nice to have never felt like we were under the gun or at war.â€? In Silva’s mind, that’s exactly how it should be – their work doing the legwork. “The way (Happen Houston) expresses ourselves as an organization is through our clients,â€? he said. “We really like our clients to do the talking.â€? To inquire about buying or listing a home with Silva and Happen Houston, email michael@happenhouston.com or give them a call at 713-725-8748. You can also visit happenhouston.com.
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The Leader • Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 • Page 3B
Health authorities provide Halloween safety tips By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
For families trying to balance the fun of Halloween with the risk of COVID-19, Harris County Public Health and the Houston Health Department have put out some safety guidelines, noting that door-to-door trick or treating is considered high risk for both children and those who hand out the treats. For those who decide to venture out, HCPH recommends bringing hand sanitizer and using it each time a child gets candy. Masks, and not the Halloween kind, are a necessity. “Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth
mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe,” read the guidelines. “Instead, consider using a Halloweenthemed cloth mask.” Trick or treaters should stand at least 6 feet away from the person giving out candy and from other groups that are trick or treating. For those providing treats, the recommendation for the preparation of goodie bags is to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags. Leaving individually wrapped treats is preferable to opening the door to distribute candy - and treats should be spread out for trick or treaters to safely distance.
“While the one-way alternative is safer than traditional trick or treating, it still comes with a moderate risk of virus transmission,” Dr. David Persse of the Houston Health Department said in a news release. “While there isn’t a way to completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19 transmission with any activity, we can take simple steps to reduce it.” Other, less risky options are to decorate the house, apartment or living space, to carve or decorate pumpkins outside with household members or neighbors and friends or to have a socially distant outdoor Halloween movie night. In lieu of haunted houses, the city said some safer alternatives would include haunted forests
and virtual costume parties as well as scavenger hunts or other activities with family members. Shepherd Park Terrace resident Stacy Lindley said this year her family is dressing up but staying in. “We are baking and having a party at home,” Lindley said. “We have signed up for a macaroons class on Outschool and will rent a kid-appropriate Halloween movie.” The Timbergrove Manor Neighborhood Association is having a Halloween Decorating Contest on Oct. 29 with
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact the area, Houston home sales showed significant year-overyear growth last month. In local neighborhoods, year-over-year September gains in sales volume ranged from 20 percent in the 77009 zip code (Woodland Heights/ Northside) to more than 150 percent in the 77092 zip code (Mangum Manor/Oak Forest), according to the most recent report from the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR). On a year-to-date basis, area neighborhoods showed a mixed bag of results according the HAR report, while prices largely rose or held steady from September 2019 to 2020. 77018 In the zip code encompassing much of Garden Oaks and Oak Forest, and part of Independence Heights, home sales jumped nearly 51 percent from September 2019 to 2020. HAR said 83 homes came off the market here compared to 55 the previous September. The area is also ahead of its sales volume from 2019, with its 563 homes sold through the end of the month nearly
10 percent ahead of last year’s pace. Accompanying the uptick in sales was a slight drop in home prices, with the average home going for $493,136 – a 1.3 percent dip. Median home price was down nearly 4 percent to $395,000. 77091 The area including Greater Inwood and part of Acres Homes saw one of the biggest sales volume jumps year-overyear in September. According to HAR, agents closed on 16 homes this past September – a 60 percent spike from last year. Year-to-date the area is far ahead of its 2019 pace, with 156 homes sold so far in 2020 – 30 percent better than through the same point last year. Sales price jumped along with the volume in these neighborhoods, with the price of an average home rising 9.5 percent to $256,587. The median price for homes here came in at $270,000 last month – nearly a 23 percent increase. 77092 A zip code encompassing Mangum Manor and the western portion of Oak Forest were the biggest winners by increased sales volume year-
over-year. The area saw 33 homes come off the market last month, compared to just 13 the previous September – a jump of nearly 154 percent. Despite the gains last month, however, the area has sold just 183 homes so far this year – a nearly 16 percent dip from last year’s pace. The average buyer purchased a home in this zip code for $303,485 last month – an 8.9 percent drop. Meanwhile, the area’s median home price dipped slightly from $267,000 to $265,000. 77008 Down in the Heights, it was a good month for agents. HAR said 110 homes sold in the area last month, a 35.8 percent increase from the 81 sold last September. The area is on pace to nearly match its 2019 output, with the 787 homes sold in 2020 representing an incremental dip from 789 through the same point last year. Homes cost buyers about $581,262 on average in the area in September, or about 12.4 percent higher than September 2019. Median price ended the month at $479,500, or about a 6.3 percent rise.
spiders. The sign has glow-inthe-dark paint, too.” To exorcise all the COVID feels, Joanna Brooks is getting virus-shaped piñatas from Albuquerque for her kids to smash from their tree. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties is hosting a socially distant Trunk or Treat at 741 E. 11th St. from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 with a pumpkin patch, pictures, games and trick or treating for all ages. Masks are required, plain or scary.
I N M E M ORI A M
MILDRED DIEHL CHRISTIAN Dec 1, 1917 to Oct 11, 2020
O
Market Update
September home sales spike locally
prizes for best door, best window, best yard and best overall as well as a Virtual Costume Contest. Guidelines for residents about socially distant trick or treating are also online. Other streets and neighborhoods have put flyers out with the table treat idea, but Audrey Lokker is taking a more unusual route. “We are making a candy chute out of 10-foot PVC pipe,” she said. “I will use tongs to put the candy in the chute. It is a nuclear waste theme with glow-in-the-dark
ur beloved Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma and Great-Great-Grandma died at home on October 11, 2020, six weeks shy of her 103rd birthday.
Millie was born at home in Cherry Hill, Arkansas; the ninth of ten children. After her 1941 marriage to Abby (he was the youngest of nine children), they eventually settled in Houston, TX in 1948. They purchased a home on the corner of Yale and 31st in Garden Oaks where they raised their family of three sons and a daughter. Millie was a baker of delicious desserts, an excellent seamstress, a give-noquarter bridge and poker player, and a 160+ bowler. Millie was a passionate fan of the Houston Buffaloes, the Colt 45’s, and the Houston Astros. Our family celebrated her 100th birthday on December 1, 2018 with a World Series celebration. Her favorite gift was a life size poster of Jose Altuve at bat. Millie was loved by her family and her many friends. She is survived by her daughter Nancy and son Steve and his wife Linda. Her ten grandchildren will also miss her greatly: Linda Beacham, David Christian; Michael Moran, Erin Kimbell, Sean Moran, Shannon Hugetz; Angie Miculka and Julie Pawlawski; Patrick Christian and Molly Halfacre. Her 17 great-grandchildren are: Meagan, Kaylie and Bryce; Mitchell and Faith; Bridget, Christian, and Emma; Sierra and Max; Lucy, Jack, and Elyse; Miguel and Isabel; Amanda, Brittany, Ryan, Daniel, and lastly 11 month old Connor. Grandma lived long enough to hold her great-great-grandson, Logan. Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Abby, and her eldest and youngest sons, John and Jim. She was the last remaining sibling of her brothers and sisters and the final to die in her generation of the extended Christian family. Millie will forever be remembered for her unconditional love and her selfl ess devotion to all of her family. Grandma was there to listen without judgment and to help when she could. She gave everyone a welcoming smile and a ‘Be careful’ hug as she said good-bye. Millie made a big difference in all our lives. We are so fortunate to have had her as our Mom and Grandma. She will be greatly missed. Millie was a life-long Catholic and she will be buried from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community, her parish of 60 years. The funeral Mass will be Saturday, October 31st at 2 p.m. Millie will be interred with her husband, Abby, at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Houston Food Bank.
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Sale Starts October 22 • Sale Ends November 1st Do it Best® stores are committed to truthful and accurate advertising. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this advertisement, descriptive, typographic and photographic errors are subject to corrections and Do it Best stores shall have no liability of any kind for such errors. The prices in this advertisement are suggested by Do it Best Corp., Ft. Wayne, IN. These advertised prices do not include taxes and may vary at independent Do it Best retailers. Some prices may be higher, some may be lower, some may be special reduced prices, others may be regular everyday low prices. If an item is out of stock, Do it Best retailers can offer a suitable replacement, or a “rain check” for the advertised item. Colors shown may vary and assembly may be required on some items. © 2020 Do it Best Corp. C&D 1483 October Flyer 2020 (2)
Page 6B • Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 • The Leader
Weighing pros and cons of pet subscription boxes
Dear Tabby, We recently adopted a puppy and were thinking about getting her a monthly dog treat and toy subscription. We’ve found that they can be kind of expensive, though. Are pet subscription boxes worth it? Shopping for Goodies in Garden Oaks Dear Shopping for Goodies, Pet subscription boxes can be a lot of fun for both your pet and for you! There are lots of different subscription boxes on the market and most of them are customizable, so you can make sure your pet gets all of her favorite types of toys and treats every month. For many people, subscription boxes are a fun, extra surprise to delight their pet every month. But there is also a chance that a subscription box might not be all that it’s
cracked up to be. Here are some pros and cons of investing in a subscription box for your pet. Pro: Lots of fun, new toys each month If your dog loves toys, a subscription box is a great way to introduce new and engaging toys to your dog’s routine. Many subscription boxes have a theme each month, so expect to receive adorable toys that go along with the theme. Con: Lots of toys to store in your home While some dogs are rather destructive and can reduce each month’s toys to chewed wads of rubble by the time the next subscription box arrives, if your dog isn’t as destructive, you might find that you amass quite a collection of toys that your dog might ignore. If this happens, consider donating the gently used toys to your local animal shelter to keep a handle on the clutter in your home. Pro: New treats for your pets to try every month Especially if your puppy hasn’t yet been exposed to many different types of treats, a subscription box might be a great way to see just what flavors of treats she enjoys. Con: Too many treats for your dog
While it’s fun to get new treats in the mail every month, you have to be careful not to overindulge your dog with the delicious new treats. If you find yourself with more treats than you (and your dog) can handle, consider giving some to other dog friends or, again, donating the unopened treats to an animal shelter. Pro: For a set price each month, you get a box full of entertainment for your dog Most pet subscription boxes
start at about $30 a month -which, if you make a monthly trip to the pet store to buy treats and toys for your pet, you can easily spend more than that. So in this case, a subscription box might make sense for your family. Con: Subscription boxes can get expensive If your pet doesn’t love the toys and treats as much as you’d hoped, you might find that you don’t have quite as much room in your budget for a subscription box. In that
case, consider cutting back to one box every other month or canceling all together. These days there are subscription boxes for most every kind of pet. A quick internet search found lots of dog subscription boxes, several cat subscription boxes, and even a reptile subscription box! If you have your heart set on trying out a pet subscription box but don’t feel comfortable committing to that monthly expense, consider asking a close family member or friend (who
might be looking for a meaningful holiday or birthday gift for you) to gift you with a subscription for your pooch. The gift giver will be overjoyed to know that they’re giving a meaningful and fun gift and you, while your dog enjoys the excitement of a monthly gift without either of you stressing about the cost of such an indulgence! Do you have a question for Tabby? Email her at deartabby questions@gmail.com.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE NEAR NORTHWEST MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO CONSIDER THE ADVISABILITY OF AMENDING/SUPPLEMENTING THE DISTRICT’S ASSESSMENT ROLL, CHANGING THE ASSESSMENT RATE, AND LEVYING ASSESSMENTS ON PROPERTY WITHIN THE DISTRICT
TIME: November 30, 8:00 a.m. PLACE: 7603 Antoine, Houston, Texas 77088 GENERAL NATURE OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS AND SERVICES: The Near Northwest Management District (the “District”) was created to provide services and improvements in the near northwest area of the City of Houston, Texas (the “City”), as authorized by Chapter 3811, Vernon’s Texas Special District Local Laws Code, and by Chapter 375, Vernon's Texas Local Government Code. The District proposes to add to its assessment roll all new development, redevelopment, or new construction or property annexed into the District since the District’s last public hearing on December 2, 2019, and any nonexempt real property in the District that was omitted from the District’s assessment roll at the last certified value set by the Harris County Appraisal District (“HCAD”). The District, in accordance with the service, improvement and assessment plan approved by its Board of Directors in 2009 (the “Service Plan”), has provided and will to continue to provide services and improvements in the near northwest area of the City as authorized by the statutes listed above. Such services include: (a) security and public safety; (b) marketing and perception enhancement; (c) planning and urban design; and (d) administration of the District. ESTIMATED COST OF THE PROPOSED SERVICES AND IMPROVEMENTS: The cost of the services to be provided is estimated to be $1,587,815 annually over the remaining four years of the fifteen-year life of the Service Plan.
Pet of the Week
PROPOSED METHOD OF ASSESSMENT: The District proposes to levy the assessment on properties added to the District’s assessment roll in the amount of $0.139 per $100 of assessed valuation as shown in the appraisal rolls of HCAD for the year 2020 to finance the cost of services and improvements.
Meet Sushi This 2-year-old hound mix loves to be near her people and will do just about anything for a treat. Sushi can be a little shy at first (can’t we all, though?), but warms up quickly. Her house manners are impeccable and she’s making great strides at walking on a leash. Sushi would prefer a home with no other dogs, but welcomes any and all humans who are willing to give lots of belly rubs. Could that be you? To learn more, go to www.k9angelsrescue.org.
All property owners within the District and all other interested persons are hereby invited to appear in person, or by their attorney, and contend for or contest the amendment/supplement and/or correction to the District’s assessment roll, each proposed assessment and the change in the assessment rate and to offer testimony pertinent to any issue presented on the amount, purpose and special benefits of the assessments and the penalties and interest on delinquent assessments. Oral or written support of or objections to the District's amendment/supplement to its assessment roll, change in the assessment rate and the levy of assessments as to any parcel in the District contained on the amended/supplemented District assessment roll will be considered at the hearing. For information, please call or write the Near Northwest Management District – Legal Counsel, HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, 600 Travis Street, Suite 2350, Houston, Texas 77002, at (713)5256266. For information on the amount of your assessment, please call the District’s Assessment Consultant, Interstate Tax Management Services, Ltd., at (281)873-7313 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). /s/ Wayne Norden _________________________________ Wayne Norden, President Near Northwest Management District
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The Leader • Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 • Page 7B
Kopp’s career night leads St. Thomas past SA Christian By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
With an Elite 11 appearance and commitment to the University of Houston already in his back pocket following a breakout junior season in 2019, St. Thomas quarterback Maddox Kopp’s star was already rising fast. Last Friday night, the senior added to his accolades with the most prolific game of his high school career. Kopp passed for a careerhigh 533 yards and eight touchdowns in a 65-14 win against San Antonio Christian. It was the Eagles’ third consecutive win after starting the season with losses to public schools El Campo and Dobie. St. Thomas allowed a touchdown on the Lions’ opening drive, but then scored 37 unanswered points between the first and second quarters as Kopp and his offense sprang to life to put the game away early. In addition to his exploits in the passing game, Kopp rushed for 57 yards. Three Eagles receivers went over 100 yards as the team posted its highest single-game point total in head coach Rich McGuire’s tenure. Drake Martinez (163 yards, two touchdowns), Cameron Bonner (151 yards, two touchdowns) and Cameron Price (129 yards, three touchdowns) torched the Lions’ defense as part of a 681-yard attack. In other private school action, Lutheran High North won via a forfeit by Pasadena Christian to move its record to 2-2. St. Pius X, meanwhile, suffered its first loss of the season by a 44-21 decision to San Antonio Antonian Prep last Friday. Undra Ferrow ran for 167 yards on the ground for the Panthers, who trailed 17-14 at the half but could not recover from a 20-point third quarter by the Apaches. All four area Houston ISD teams fell in last week’s ac-
Texas District 18
The current Congresswoman has been in office for over 25 years...13 terms! That’s simply too long. If you are ready for a change then VOTE for WENDELL CHAMPION FOR CONGRESS in this election.
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Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Heights’ Patrick McDowell, left, and Jalen Morrison line up in the backfield before a play during the Bulldogs Oct. 16 game against Fort Bend Travis.
tion. Heights quarterback Jalen Morrison threw for 172 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ 41-28 loss to Fort Bend Travis, while tailbacks Patrick McDowell and Kendric Rhymes combined for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Waltrip and Scarborough both dropped to 0-3
on the season after losing to Willowridge and Worthing, respectively. Booker T. Washington (1-2) suffered its second straight loss, falling 26-0 to Kashmere. A rundown of last week’s scores and this week’s games involving area teams is below.
LAST WEEK’S SCORES St. Thomas 65, San Antonio Christian 14 Lutheran High North def. Pasadena Christian, forfeit Fort Bend Travis 41, Heights 28 SA Antonian Prep 44, St. Pius X 21 Willowridge 20, Waltrip 0 Kashmere 26, Washington 0 Worthing 34, Scarborough 8
“from Welfare to West Pointâ€? • • • • • • • •
West Point Graduate Army Captain Law Enforcement Attorney Community Organizer Businessman Youth Minister Husband and Father
THIS WEEK’S GAMES Thursday Scarborough at North Forest, 7 p.m. (Cowart Stadium) Friday Heights vs. Chavez, 7 p.m. (Barnett Stadium) Washington at Wheatley, 7 p.m. (Barnett Jr. Stadium) Lutheran High North at Beaumont Legacy Christian, 7 p.m. St. Thomas vs. SA Antonian Prep, 7 p.m. St. Pius X at SA Central Catholic, 7 p.m. Saturday Waltrip at Marshall, 1 p.m. (Hall Stadium)
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THE PUBLIC. The Leader • Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 • Page 8B
City prohibits parking in bike lanes By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
The Houston City Council adopted an ordinance Oct. 14 that makes it illegal to block or park a motor vehicle in a dedicated bicycle lane, even if a “no parking” sign or similar signage is not present. The ordinance is in support of the Houston Bike Plan, which the council adopted in 2017 with the goal of making the city more bike-friendly and accessible by 2027. It also is part of the city’s “Vision Zero” initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. The new law took effect immediately and applies only to dedicated bike lanes, which are portions of a roadway separated from vehicle traffic with striping or physical barriers for the exclusive use of cyclists. It does not apply to on-street bikeways that are shared with vehicles or on roads where the city permits on-street parking, such as Washington Avenue.
Photo by Adam Zuvanich Two cyclists ride across West 11th Street at Nicholson Street in March 2019.
“This is a crucial step towards creating a safer and more accessible city for all!” council member Abbie Kamin, who represents part of the area in District C, wrote Oct. 14 on Twitter. A news release from the city said citations for violating the ordinance will carry a $100 fine. First-time offenders can have the fine waived by meeting with a hearing officer and taking a bike-friendly driver training class, according to the city, which said there will be a
90-day warning period associated with the new ordinance. “We have listened to bicyclists throughout our city, and we are taking this step to protect them and keep the lanes clear to everyone to enjoy,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement. “The ordinance is an opportunity to promote safety and educate those who park in dedicated bicycle lanes without realizing how it impedes access. Together, we can balance the needs of drivers and bicyclists in our city.”
Police Reports • Oct. 15-19 OCT. 15
Theft 11 PM 1900 BLOCK OXFORD Theft 6 AM 800 BLOCK W 34TH Theft 9 PM 700 BLOCK SUE BARNETT Burglary 9 PM 4000 BLOCK N SHEPHERD Theft 9 PM 4000 BLOCK N SHEPHERD Burglary 8 PM 800 BLOCK FISHER Vandalism 10 AM 300 BLOCK CROSSTIMBERS Theft 8 AM 400 BLOCK HEIGHTS BLVD Arrest 5 AM 1000 BLOCK STUDE Assault 11 AM 100 BLOCK FRAWLEY Theft 7 AM 200 BLOCK HEIGHTS BLVD
OCT. 16
Theft 9 PM 00 BLOCK HEIGHTS BLVD Arson 8 AM 300 BLOCK W 17TH Theft 3 AM 1000 BLOCK E 25TH Theft 8 AM 800 BLOCK COTTAGE Theft 10 AM 00 BLOCK TABOR Theft 6 PM 4400 BLOCK YALE
Other 8 PM 4100 BLOCK EUROPA
OCT. 17
Theft 2 PM 900 BLOCK KEY Arrest 6 PM 300 BLOCK CROSSTIMBERS Assault 1 AM 1200 BLOCK W 20TH Assault 2 AM 1200 BLOCK W 20TH Other 2 AM 900 BLOCK BYRNE Arrest 12 AM 1000 BLOCK OLIVER Theft 1 AM 4000 BLOCK W 34TH
OCT. 18
Other 7 PM 500 BLOCK STUDEWOOD Assault 3 AM 500 BLOCK E 23RD Theft 2 PM 500 BLOCK W 34TH Assault 12 AM 1100 BLOCK W 19TH Vandalism 8 PM 700 BLOCK STUDEWOOD Assault 2 PM 1200 BLOCK ENID
OCT. 19
Assault 6 AM 2100 BLOCK
LAWRENCE Theft 4 PM 00 BLOCK HEIGHTS BLVD Assault 10 AM 4400 BLOCK YALE Vandalism 9 AM 1400 BLOCK CORDELL Arrest 9 PM 4400 BLOCK CASTOR Theft 5 AM 1700 BLOCK W 34TH Reports are provided by SpotCrime.com based on data from the Houston Police Department.
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Market Update, from P. 3B 77009 On the eastern edge of the Heights, a market that includes Woodland Heights and Norhill Heights saw a 20 percent jump in year-over-year September home sales, with 48 homes sold compared to 40 the year before. Year-to-date, however, the market is one of two area zip codes lagging behind its 2019 pace. Only 394 homes had been sold through the end of the month, com-
pared to 462 during the same period last year. On the pricing front, the average cost of a home rose 12.7 percent up to $510,998 last month. Median prices also jumped, seeing an 11.2 percent rise to $442,500 at the end of September. 77007 The southernmost portion of the Heights and Rice Military neighborhoods also saw significant year-over-year
sales jumps last month. HAR said 71 homes got sold here last month, a 54.3 percent increase from last September’s marks. Through the end of September, there was 611 sales compared to 608 during the same period last year. The average buyer paid $576,635 for a home here last month, a 12.1 percent spike. Meanwhile, median home price leapt up 6.2 percent to $479,900.
according to Bush – suggests the ordinance is not viewed favorably by most Houston residents. “There are hundreds if not more neighborhoods that qualify,” said Baldwin, citing Oak Forest and Lazybrook as examples. “If historic preservation was so well-received, you would have had a lot more people applying for historic designations. What you don’t get is neighborhoods applying for historic districts (after 2010), because the process itself is so painful and the rules and regulations are so arbitrary and they change so quickly from year to year and from administration to administration.” Sara Bronin, a Houston native and University of Connecticut law professor who focuses on land use, historic preservation and zoning laws, said the ordinance is beneficial because it allows homeowners to preserve the character of their neighborhoods and
in turn protect their property rights and property values. She also said it promotes tourism and small business growth and helps neighborhoods withstand significant fluctuations in the real estate market. Bronin, who filed an amicus brief with the Texas Supreme Court in support of the city, also said historic preservation laws are different than zoning laws and have historically been treated differently by courts. She said she is not aware of an instance in which a “court has conflated these two areas of law.” She said zoning laws regulate land use within entire municipalities as opposed small areas, whereas historic preservation laws only regulate aesthetics. “I volunteered to write (the amicus brief), knowing this was on the agenda, because it’s an important case,” Bronin said. “It certainly is not one that we want the city to lose.”
Ordinance, from P. 1B the law and created historic districts. Neighborhoods must opt in to the ordinance with approval from at least 67 percent of its homeowners, but Festa said the city “essentially played fast and loose with the rules to draw this historic district” in Heights East, which is where Luccia and Powell reside. Woodland Heights resident, Houston Planning Commission member and Boulevard Realty owner Bill Baldwin, whose brokerage includes Powell as a real estate agent, said he also supports the idea of historic preservation but agrees with the plaintiffs that the ordinance and how it was enacted is flawed. He also said it constitutes as “micro zoning.” Baldwin said the fact only a small percentage of Houston neighborhoods have gone through the process of designating themselves as historic – the ordinance applies to less than 1 percent of city land,
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