This Week: Sanitary Sewer System “Consent Decree” Approved; Public Meeting: 2019 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan.
Sanitary Sewer System “Consent Decree” Approved
Mayor Pro Tem Cohen and her colleagues voted to approve a “consent decree” that the Legal Department has negotiated with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Texas regarding Houston’s sanitary sewer system. This agreement is part of a 30-year initiative of the EPA to address sewer overflows and wastewater pollution concerns in cities across the country.
As a result of the lawsuit, over the next 15 years, Houston will invest $2B in upgrading our 6,200 miles of sewer mains, 384 lift stations, and 39 treatment plants, as well as installing 3,000 “smart” manholes that will allow the City to anticipate and prevent overflows.
The next step in the process with be for the agreement to be filed in the courts, and it will then enter a 30-day public comment period. The courts and administration will then review the comments received and potentially make changes based on the public’s recommendations.
More information on the consent decree is available in a presentation given to the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee in June.
Committee Materials Available Online
Chair Cohen convened a meeting of the Council Committee on Quality of Life. Members received a presentation from the Mayor’s Governmental Affairs team on the 2019 State Legislative Session, and from AARP on making Houston a more age-inclusive city. The meeting is archived online via HTV (under the Committees and Commissions tab). All Committee meetings are open to the public and include the opportunity for public comment.
Public Meeting: 2019 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan
On Thursday, August 1st, the Houston Planning Commission will host a public hearing to review proposed amendments to the 2019 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan. This annually-reviewed document identifies the widths, speed limits, and building setbacks of Houston’s streets. The meeting will begin at 2:30PM in City Hall Annex Chambers (900 Bagby St, Public Level, 77002).
After the public hearing, the Planning and Development Department will prepare final recommendations for presentation at the August 29th Planning Commission meeting, during which Commissioners will vote on each amendment. The 2019 MTFP will then move to City Council for a vote in September. All Planning Commission meetings are open to the public, include the opportunity for public comment, and are streamed and archived online via HTV.