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Planning director announces major sidewalk‑code rewrite and an October planning workshop
Summary
Von Tran said the Planning & Development Department will rewrite Chapter 40, Article 22 (sidewalks) to expand exemptions, eliminate redundant reviews and let planning staff determine sidewalk committee reviews; the department will seek public input and hosts a planning workshop on Oct. 9 to benefit University of Houston programs.
Von Tran, secretary of the commission and director of the Houston Planning and Development Department, told the commission that the department is preparing a substantial rewrite of Chapter 40, Article 22 of the city code governing sidewalks. The rewrite aims to expand sidewalk exemption criteria, remove the requirement to file a sidewalk plan for exempt projects and eliminate reviews the department has identified as unnecessary, Tran said.
"These amendments seek to create efficiencies by streamlining the process for applicants as well as staff," Tran said, adding that the changes would also simplify the ordinance to reduce confusion and redundancy. Tran said the proposed rewrite would give the planning official authority to determine which projects require review by the sidewalk committee and that the department plans robust stakeholder outreach and opportunities for public comment at planning commission meetings. "We are shooting to have this done before the end of the year," Tran said.
Tran also announced a partnership with the Professional Surveyors Educational Foundation to hold a planning workshop and training session on Oct. 9, 2024, at the United Way, with proceeds benefiting educational programs at the University of Houston. The workshop is open to planning and development professionals; registration information and a contact phone number were provided during the director's report.
The department said it will solicit input from stakeholders and incorporate public comments into the rewrite; next steps include circulating draft revisions for review and scheduling future commission hearings for formal consideration.
