Commission approves public hearings for Hotel Daphne and reserve at Houston Heights

The Houston Planning Commission meeting on February 20, 2025, focused on several key topics, including parking variances and the establishment of public hearing dates for new hotel developments.

A significant discussion arose regarding the parking variance for a project on Eleventh Street. Commissioners noted that the variance application was separate from the plat application, which had already been voted on. The applicant chose to address the parking variance at a later date, allowing them more time to prepare. This decision sparked questions among commissioners about the usual process for handling such variances.

In addition to the parking discussions, the commission set public hearing dates for two hotel projects. The first hearing is scheduled for March 20, 2025, for Hotel Daphne, located at 302 West Twentieth Street. The second hearing will also take place on the same date for the Reserve at Houston Heights Hotel, located at 1311 ½ North Shepherd Drive. Both motions to establish these hearings were unanimously approved.

The meeting concluded without any public comments, and the commissioners noted the brevity of the session, humorously attributing it to the presence of Commissioner Garcia. The next steps will involve the upcoming public hearings, where community input on the hotel projects will be gathered.