This Week at City Hall

Apr. 13, 2018Office of Council Member Ellen Cohen

This Week: National Crime Victims’ Rights Week; New minimum lot size and minimum building line designations; 4th Annual Lyon Cohen Symposium

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Representatives from over 25 victims’ rights advocate groups and criminal justice agencies gathered at City Hall to be honored by Mayor Turner, Mayor Pro Tem Cohen, and Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg for the critical services they provide for Houstonians in need. April 8 – 14, 2018 was designated as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to recognize the protections crime victims and their families need to rebuild their lives and to acknowledge those who fight for these protections.

On the Agenda

The Houston City Council approved minimum lot size and minimum building linedesignations for the following areas:

  • 5500 block of Ashby (east side)
  • 1300 block of Waverly (east and west sides)
  • 2200 block of McClendon (north side) (minimum lot size only)

Going forward, parcels of land within these boundaries may not be subdivided to smaller than the minimum size described in these ordinances. Petitioned for by the Southampton,Heights, and Southgate neighborhoods, these protections will limit the ability of developers to build new townhomes on those blocks. Communities interested in applying for similar protections may visit the Planning and Development Department website for more information.

What’s Happening in District C

On Wednesday, April 18th, the 4th Annual Lyon Cohen Symposium will take place from 5:30PM – 8PM in District C at Congregation Beth Israel. The Symposium’s panel discussion will explore the intersection of ethics, including Jewish ethics, in the modern media industry. The event is dedicated in loving memory to Mayor Pro Tem Cohen’s late husband, Lyon Cohen, and a merit scholarship will be presented to a recipient exemplifying Lyon’s optimism and devotion to ethics. Participants may register online.

On Monday, April 16th, the City of Houston’s Parking Management Division will host a public meeting for the Museum Area Municipal Association (MAMA) to discuss the implementation of a Community Parking Program in their neighborhood. The meeting will begin at 6PM at the Italian Cultural Center (1101 Milford St, 77006).