[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6633343,"mediaKeyId","2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9","parentId",2665780,"title","Council postpones vote on comprehensive zoning amendments after extended review and red-line concerns","audioSeconds",5355,"startMs",5190000,"endMs",10545000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9&start=5190&end=10545","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9/thumbnail_5190000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633343/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Council-postpones-vote-on-comprehensive-zoning-amendments-after-extended-review-and-red-line-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633343-b40091f53206b939b6fcd48742105893/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202256&Signature=AvbOgt1MVD1pXzClWvU2ZvknJdHL4KgbdbY21LHFZGFSQu7Lde2t7C26KzHXygkUKh8951t5ALR8EAUp1O4pOXQisPUqc9IqwjSFwHneeZx~egScrYGbMNl6meymHiW72-cbMAWkP9shFu4TChzpP4QM-CPVXppW92fLSjLGmTxb3kfg1zSrY-4XVoB6NVPVeUew4AzkzuheAN~BGl35vZtwVFg98-SZO9Loj5zx~asHGVOqvv6HO4m1m8Li~SfTX8X0u4CgFzCtxoDmHPHxomxyluFtbthzwvHlyb0Eknd3SqKw3oHB9ubju-rZtOCqC96zZC1ByOfygi6dg6u0MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellaire","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Bellaire City Council on March 17 postponed consideration of a multi-article package of zoning code amendments (Chapter 24, Articles 2, 7 and 11) after extensive council discussion and requests for clarifications from staff.

Development Services Director Travis Tanner and consultant representatives were present. Council members raised questions about multiple items including the proposed new definition of \"family,\" lot-coverage limits for schools and places of worship in residential districts, fence and screening heights, drive-through provisions and how dimensional allowances were consolidated. Members expressed concern that some language moves or reorganizations unintentionally changed existing rules and requested reconciling edits.

Council members debated replacing the existing definition of \"family\" with language intended to be more inclusive; after discussion the council voted 5-2 to retain the city's existing family definition rather than adopt the proposed replacement. Members also asked staff to clarify whether lot-coverage increases would be treated as a maximum in code or remain subject to a specific-use-permit review and recommended that staff draft language allowing consideration of increases up to 75 percent through the SUP process rather than creating an automatic 75 percent cap.

Multiple sections that were consolidated into a \"dimensional allowances\" article required additional scrubbing: councilors noted that language for different use types (single-family, church, school, mixed-use) had been merged in ways that could change existing allowances (for example, differing height allowances and lists of permitted rooftop elements). Staff agreed to revisit those transfers, restore or re-segment provisions as necessary and return with clearer redlines.

After the discussion, Council Member Gordon moved to postpone action until staff brings back corrected language incorporating council direction; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Why it matters: zoning code changes can have long-lived effects on property development, building form and neighborhood character; councilors sought to avoid unintended consequences by asking staff to rework and clarify the draft before final adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellaire - City Council - Mar 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a lengthy discussion ranging from the definition of \"family\" to dimensional allowances and special-use procedures, the Bellaire City Council voted to postpone several proposed Chapter 24 zoning code amendments and asked staff to return with clarified redlines.","taxTitle","Bellaire, Harris County, Texas","taxId",69496,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633348,"Bellaire buys public-works facility; staff outlines operations updates and spring events",255,1168000,1423000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9&start=1168&end=1423","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9/thumbnail_1168000.jpg","/articles/6633348/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Bellaire-buys-public-works-facility-staff-outlines-operations-updates-and-spring-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633348-40b5dce80ca1c334b19caf3b5c71b348/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202256&Signature=PaG4eqQ8wpJ51KlgULBfhuN8NEq7mVAYF6~HQOWSab-CuLVyaiJclLeWkfx5d9pM2iELuVSKWbBsPizEbDrtSpbnBFjO7q6FklPqeJAuExORgQgAcji2ceV0qhUpz35VuUcQHDhHYw8NNCZ6HDftI8PcxCaIW369fXbGCi5j-VplurCZO7wslQpM~7NGVJcXrJAoe4KJRVpOxKzq0IdDiDCFS8pnyu7VtJBGaZoC4tCuOT2bYeBRhzAFaXmbXV-KJL12AmQXxftVc6D-qhRV1Vd2MGDti~Sk42wRtc0KQRL3nBtpzFUnC75ovWIdyHb2XX9IWt4T-cU~6zJ9iAbSow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff reported during the March 17 meeting that the city closed on a public-works facility at 5235 Glenmont Drive on March 7 and plans to adapt the building for the department's needs. Beth Jones, assistant city manager, told council the city is now the landlord and will work with an architect on design and rehabilitation.

Jones reviewed operations and community services updates: the city christened a new trash truck (named \"Ben Diesel\") on March 7, and the solid-waste superintendent won the naming contest. The city is hosting a Sunday food-waste drop-off program at Cond\u0000e9 Elementary through April 20 (Sundays, noon\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 3 p.m.), and several spring events were announced including a wine-and-tapas gala, a flood-hazard mitigation task-force meeting on March 25, a Police Department \"Touch-a-Truck\" event March 29, Bark in the Park on March 30, the Trolley Run on April 5 and the Henshaw House Centennial on April 5.

Jones also noted sign-regulation amendments would be removed from the Chapter 24 packet for the night; staff recommended not imposing a limit on stake signs in residential yards if the council addresses signs later. She said political signs had not been included in that earlier proposal.

Staff answered council questions about public-works leases (the city's existing leased public-works location has roughly 3.5 years remaining; use of the newly purchased site would begin when the tenant's lease terminates) and confirmed the city intends to begin design after the current lease ends.

Why it matters: purchasing a dedicated public-works facility gives the city long-term control of operations and supports maintenance, fleet and service activities. The staff report also highlighted waste-diversion programming and upcoming public events.

Votes at a glance: none required; item was informational and staff reported operational updates.","The City of Bellaire closed on a new public-works property at 5235 Glenmont Drive and outlined operations updates, waste-diversion events and upcoming community programs in the city manager's report.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633353,"Council removes ‘No turn on red’ entry for Bel Air Blvd & Newcastle; staff to add pedestrian-yield signage",950,4110000,5060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9&start=4110&end=5060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9/thumbnail_4110000.jpg","/articles/6633353/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Council-removes-No-turn-on-red-entry-for-Bel-Air-Blvd-Newcastle-staff-to-add-pedestrian-yield-signage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633353-0d67774d6a245131dc1f347e5141146e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202256&Signature=HCp0LbXGMIJXhRIPRo295fnqtMZXWfO2G3wV9yGektvVQ6kDt41o89BEHdDEP-lV8E942EFaV7Rjb8vqcwTNdcTUiOEgcFWX0nvgrH~NEY3QQ4Q2T7Mbre7wssW1K99eQuqshaYle0MRmMJm4dPvzhLssApreWtyTuMejskd2Cl1X8DiSyrEG5q8lyge2E5KfCPuxMoiQFgIKpM462dklUeBJCtZK79er5ksGtBqD5pMkQcYjWCfT26ND1OjlbvJMtUB1UXKXJvnsXBTCXkYRuYaeokjSRP0oMAjWVI2n7zSehS0PRA01IN~jaWBNmAG6O7XJvOqSP7e8hh~pTQVkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bellaire City Council on March 17 amended its traffic ordinance to remove the No Turn on Red designation for the intersection of Bel Air Boulevard and Newcastle Drive and directed public-works staff to install \"Yield to Pedestrians\" signs and other low-cost safety measures instead.

Council members asked for a traffic study after residents reported pedestrian conflicts and queuing issues. The city hired Clarity Engineering to study the intersection. Colby Wright of Clarity told the council engineers collected 13-hour counts on multiple days and performed level-of-service and crash-pattern analyses. He said the intersection operates at roughly level-of-service D on weekends and E during the Thursday evening vehicle peak; modeling showed that making the restriction permanent would degrade several movements by only three to four seconds but would have the most impact on the dedicated right-turn lane for Bel Air Boulevard.

Wright said the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) did not clearly mandate a full-time No Turn on Red at that location and recommended installing yield-to-pedestrian signs at marked crosswalks rather than deploying more costly blank-out signs. Council members also discussed adding targeted signage and asked staff to remove other, older no-turn-on-red entries in the city code at a future meeting.

Council member Lewis moved to pass the ordinance amendment relating to the Bel Air Boulevard/Newcastle Drive intersection; Mayor Pro Tem Rotem Frazier seconded. The council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance and gave staff authority to procure and install pedestrian-yield signage.

Why it matters: the city sought engineering analysis before setting a traffic prohibition that affects vehicle flow and pedestrian safety. The chosen approach aims to balance traffic operations with pedestrian safety without creating excessive driver confusion or costly signage.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance amending Chapter 30 (Traffic & Vehicles) regarding the Bel Air Boulevard/Newcastle Drive intersection — outcome: approved unanimously.","After a traffic study, the council voted to remove a no-turn-on-red designation at Bel Air Boulevard and Newcastle Drive and directed staff to install pedestrian-yield signage instead; the vote was unanimous.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633358,"Police and Fire Foundation donates thermal imagers, training door and drone; council accepts",408,3458000,3866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9&start=3458&end=3866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9/thumbnail_3458000.jpg","/articles/6633358/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Police-and-Fire-Foundation-donates-thermal-imagers-training-door-and-drone-council-accepts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633358-32f7e1a3d404b3e4bd655adf49d4329d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202256&Signature=eI7KMmHdaQFnTa6vq6aY93-5~NFMZQEVzk3t4HmKepWrgn4bU41wGvTGzjoukQKAiRNAwfFYTAoutf2F7I0XRDq-WkyphClpHIy0VKE8O-TxyPtSanHy7Fl~NdS3QfqP167a~LJKHV2MACv7nNKN1WHMNmLddZcpferrdSMfA1TbCJiXE9~oFX5viTgzDCYUROqmBm66DHFj0g3IvCxN-e3NA5UuC9Zq8WPCiU-BUg0lABU~7UeBDTB4E-KS63TWsAofaH0Q1-Zlw3NITvCUEjeNsOBQoi~tUaq~WvcQYthWw7-abykWLxxJQye6ZJOhItV7U~XnqX8~e45vB009YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bellaire City Council voted unanimously March 17 to accept three donated items from the Bellaire Police and Fire Foundation: thermal imaging cameras, a forcible-entry training door and a first-responder drone, Fire Chief Deacon Tiller and Dan Collins of the foundation told the council.

Tiller said the thermal imagers will help firefighters locate hidden fires and victims in smoky or hazardous conditions and be useful on hazardous-material incidents. The forcible-entry training door is a reusable prop intended to allow firefighters to practice entry techniques without causing expensive damage to private property. Tiller said the force-entry door will enable ongoing in-house training \"365 days a year.\"

Police representatives described a rooftop drone deployable from the police station to give officers and incident commanders fast aerial views of burglary-in-progress calls or other incidents; the drone can arrive on scene faster than a patrol car and provide early situational awareness, the chief said.

Dan Collins, secretary of the Bellaire Police and Fire Foundation, said the foundation has awarded 38 grants totaling just over $1.3 million since its founding. He presented a check for the three grants totaling $85,760, and the council thanked the foundation and department staff for the donation and the departments' response work at a recent fire.

Motion and vote: Council member Lewis moved to accept the resolution to accept the donations; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

Why it matters: donated equipment provides police and fire personnel additional tools and training resources the city's operating budget might not immediately cover, and the drone was cited by firefighters as having helped identify the location of smoke at a recent structure fire.

Votes at a glance: Resolution accepting equipment donations from the Bellaire Police and Fire Foundation — outcome: approved unanimously.","The Bellaire Police and Fire Foundation presented grants totaling $85,760 for two thermal imagers, a forcible-entry training door and a first-responder drone; council unanimously approved acceptance of the donations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633362,"Bellaire Council accepts clean FY2024 audit; auditors report no findings",1528,1868000,3396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9&start=1868&end=3396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665780-62a68a9f90f87eaa614a2c8a7c90f2a9/thumbnail_1868000.jpg","/articles/6633362/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Bellaire-Council-accepts-clean-FY2024-audit-auditors-report-no-findings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633362-9166123602368a851cea4cc654868fab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202256&Signature=nY5ls-H7HFqh0rqY-A1mib8ZOesJgtSLmYrNOlQDMBAHAsA8I~cmBUeRwH8ctFHJXufat3Njl~nGkOIbMDccw7~73BEuFu2Le817DPCbyF5e26xXFq2TPkeI1JGM-OfZ7FIQICvOZ-4wTXhkEYawBSQZrTRKM9POAWIx4a9dL3ZXjfz1KR60DN-x8rjAbBZgY~1knDGmyuNfd8-u3xCcLE5JJ7Hb8~2~hsLYYjxNfGuxA4yGajQB16bouTuzTTgxe~457m0E3zQJEEuEx5a-tF1LpEYt-ONAuTk1JG-~dQWVjIsceU0oy8jOXns~l9Fk3k0fZEcFxvidhPlbI-MDmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bellaire City Council unanimously accepted the city's fiscal year 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and independent audit report during its March 17 meeting, City Chief Financial Officer Terrence Beeman said.

Beeman introduced Whitley Penn's audit team and noted the city is required by Texas Local Government Code 103.001 to obtain an annual independent audit. Andrew Jeanette, the audit manager on the engagement with Whitley Penn, told the council the firm issued an unmodified, or \"clean,\" opinion on the city's financial statements and reported no material audit findings.

\"This is the opinion that the city received on its financial statements, the unmodified or clean opinion,\" Jeanette said during his presentation. He summarized that the city's total assets and deferred outflows were about $189.9 million, with net position of roughly $69.5 million, an increase of about $1 million from the prior year.

Jeanette described the audit process, including interim fieldwork, year-end substantive testing and confirmation with third parties. He said auditors found no disagreements with management, no difficulties in performing the audit and no material misstatements that required correction. He also thanked city staff for cooperation.

Beeman told the council the city's general fund ended FY2024 with a roughly $9 million fund balance, and that the city met its policy of retaining the equivalent of 60 days of operating expenditures in unassigned general fund balance (the city ended the year at about 34% or roughly 124 days). For enterprise (water/sewer/solid waste) activities, days in working capital were 45 days; Beeman said the city has an implementation plan to meet its 60-day policy in FY2025.

No council member raised objections. The council voted unanimously to accept the FY2024 audit and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

Why it matters: an unmodified audit opinion and no findings provide assurance to residents, bondholders and state reviewers that the city's books are materially correct and that finance staff complied with accounting standards.

Votes at a glance: Acceptance of FY2024 Annual Audit and ACFRA — outcome: approved unanimously.","The Bellaire City Council unanimously accepted the city's FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report after auditors issued an unmodified (clean) opinion and reported no audit findings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council postpones vote on comprehensive zoning amendments after extended review and red-line concerns

Bellaire buys public-works facility; staff outlines operations updates and spring events

Council removes ‘No turn on red’ entry for Bel Air Blvd & Newcastle; staff to add pedestrian-yield signage

Police and Fire Foundation donates thermal imagers, training door and drone; council accepts

Bellaire Council accepts clean FY2024 audit; auditors report no findings