Council Update: Harrisburg TIRZ, Noise Ordinance

This week there was a Public Hearing to consider the formation of Reinvestment Zone 23, also known as the Harrisburg Zone. Diane Schenke, President of the Greater East End Management District and Frances Castañeda Dyess, President of the East End Chamber of Commerce spoke on the opportunities presented by a TIRZ in this area. City Council received letters from the Port of Houston Authority and Transwestem in strong support of the Harrisburg TIRZ.

City Council approved an ordinance to amend the noise and sound level regulations of Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances. The amended ordinance provides for Plainly Audible to be defined as, any amplified sound or noise that can be clearly heard by a person with normal hearing faculties such that a reasonable person would believe such sound or noise unreasonably disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, or safety of others.

The new amplified sound permit allows the permittee to produce sound at levels less than or equal to 75 decibels from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday. In addition to these changes, an amendment offered by Council Member Pennington was approved to maintain the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the operation of lawn equipment and electrical tools. This ordinance will be reviewed by Council in 60 days to determine its effectiveness.

Upcoming Community Events

East End Town Hall on Economic Development
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Houston Community College Southeast Campus, Felix Fraga Academic Center, Multi-purpose Room #160, 301 North Drennan, Houston, Texas
Join Special Guest, Andy Icken — City of Houston Director of Economic Development Discussion topics include: economic development, infrastructure repair, new council zones and question/answer opportunities.

Alief Recycling Day
Saturday, October 15, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Crump Athletic Stadium, 4214 Cook Road, Houston, Texas
On site document shredding, computer and computer components, VCRs and other electronic equipment accepted.
For more details contact: Gretchen Larson or Brian Burks at 281.564.5252

Community U Conference
Saturday, October 15, 2011 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
United Way of Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Drive, $5.00 per person
Join City of Houston’s Planning and Development Department for this informative conference about Neighborhood Organizing
For more details: email CommunityU@houstontx.gov