Houston Planning Commission Meeting Summary - December 4, 2025

On December 4, 2025, the Houston Planning Commission convened at City Hall Annex to review subdivision plats, variance requests, and community development applications. The meeting featured a Director's Report updating the Commission on new legal counsel and upcoming meeting dates, followed by the consideration of numerous consent items, replats, and public Hearings. Significant deliberation occurred regarding properties in the Central City and Southampton Extension neighborhoods, where residents and developers debated the impact of deed restrictions, lot sizes, and neighborhood character. The Commission took actions on 30-day extensions, denials based on potential deed restriction violations, and staff recommendations for variances, while navigating conflicting positions between applicant goals and neighborhood preservation efforts.

Consent Calendar

• November 13, 2025 Minutes: Approved by motion and unanimous vote.
• 2026 Meeting Dates: Meeting schedule and submittal dates approved, establishing a bi-weekly Thursday schedule with holidays accounted for.
• Subdivision Plat Activity (Items 1-85): Staff recommendation for Section A (Consent items) and Section B (Replat items) approved with abstentions noted for Commissioners Pierce, Mattas, Carroll, Heisch, and Shepard on specific items. Item 17 (Fairbanks Landing Section 1) was separated for later consideration.
• Extensions of Approval (Items 101-116): Approved, with Commissioners Shepard and Heisch abstaining from specific items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Central City Subdivision (Item 88 - Lockett Manor):
  • Supporters of Opposition: Residents Alfonso Pico, Vinay Chandrakar, Herardo Gaitan, and Daniel Goldberg (Civic Association President) expressed strong opposition to splitting an 8,675 sq. ft. lot into smaller lots. They positioned that the 8,875 sq. ft. lot is near the neighborhood average, but splitting it would violate newly reenacted 2022 deed restrictions prohibiting non-conforming subdivisions and townhomes, set a precedent for overdevelopment, and exacerbate existing flood drainage issues. They argued the developer, who does not reside in the neighborhood, is engaging in a "willful encroachment for economic gain."
  • Applicant/Developer Position: Karim Dadeli (owner) and John Cidio (representative) stated they have provided all restrictions documentation, asserted there are no deed restrictions preventing the split, and indicated their intent to build single-family homes (or potentially townhomes if permitted), though they acknowledged legal concerns.
  • Legal Position: Arva Howard (Legal Counsel) expressed concern that the notice provided was insufficient due to a small strip of paper taping over an old sign, and noted that legal review suggests the deed restrictions may exclude townhomes. She stated that taking action without a judge's ruling on the validity of the restrictions is "not wise" and recommended deferral.
• Southampton Extension POA (Item 92 - Roxton City Homes):
  • POA Board Members (Ray Frierson, Michael Massey): Expressed full support for delaying the decision to allow the HOA to complete its application for a "special minimum lot size" designation on the block. They positioned that approving the split to two 3,000 sq. ft. lots would degrade property values and undermine the future minimum lot size calculations. They urged the Commission not to make a "premature approval" that would lead to "invasion by divisions."
  • Residents (Victor Lewes, Charlene Cade, Michael Bubis): Strongly opposed the split, stating 75% of block owners signed petitions against it. They argued the proposal would erode community character, diminish neighborhood appeal, and create out-of-scale structures that block light and privacy, serving the developer's profit over resident quality of life.
  • Developer (Jorge Bisbal): Expressed understanding of neighborhood concerns but clarified he is not a "California developer" who wants to abuse the neighborhood. He positioned that he wants to build two custom homes if permitted, but if deed restrictions (5-foot side setbacks) are enforced, he would build only one house on the combined lot, noting that two 15-foot wide houses would be "ridiculous." He acknowledged that if the lot is split, he must adhere to any applicable setbacks.
• The Arts Facility (Item 5317 Anchor St, Variances):
  • Owner (DeMarco Howard): Requested the Commission to allow a parking garage lease and a verbal agreement with a neighboring building to satisfy off-site parking requirements for students ages 5-12. He positioned that the facility serves a good cause for the community and that clients do not park on the street.
  • Opposing Residents (Renisha Cobb, Eric Kim): Expressed full opposition to the variance. They positioned that the proposal creates significant safety hazards due to the lack of accessible sidewalks connecting to off-site parking, increases traffic congestion on already narrow streets, and fails to mitigate pickup/drop-off queues. They highlighted the proximity to a railroad and a planned hotel that will intensify traffic.
• Cleburn Street Renewal (Item 7):
  • Applicant (Leroy Johnson) & Supporter (Ernest Johnson): Expressed full support for the renewal of the special minimum lot size to preserve the neighborhood character.
• East Sunnyside Court (Item 8):
  • No speakers signed, but the Commission deferred to allow time for re-notification regarding a change in square footage calculation.

Discussion Items

• Item 86 (Aslan Places): Staff recommended deferment due to violations of separately filed restrictions. The public hearing was closed, and the item was deferred to allow the applicant to submit revised materials.
• Item 87 (Colonial Heights Annex): Staff supported the request to plat 61 lots and convert landscape reserves to lots, noting it aligns with neighborhood patterns. Commissioner Jones expressed concern about the number of homes per acre (14-15) and the future challenges for ingress/egress with 150 total lots, though noted it follows the current ordinance.
• Item 88 (Lockett Manor): A contentious discussion regarding whether to approve, defer, or deny. The Commission debated the validity of the 2022 deed restrictions versus the legal department's morning update on potential violations. The applicant requested a 30-day extension to resolve notice issues and legal uncertainties. The Commission granted a 30-day extension (effective until Dec 18) allowing the applicant to re-notify the public.
• Item 90 (Marina Place): The applicant requested a 30-day extension because the legal department indicated the plat violates restrictions. The Commission discussed the validity of the extension request and the applicant's lack of on-site ownership representation. Ultimately, a motion was made to deny the extension and the application due to the lack of a valid reason to extend and the confirmed violation by legal.
• Item 92 (Roxton City Homes): Staff recommended approval subject to CPC 101 conditions. Legal counsel was asked to weigh in on deed restrictions regarding side setbacks. The developer clarified that if he cannot build two houses due to setbacks, he will build one. Commissioner Baldwin moved to deny the application because the applicant appeared to indicate they would not comply with the 5-foot setbacks if two houses were built, and the Commission could not verify compliance. The application was denied.
• Item 98 & 17 (Fairbanks Landing): Discussed and approved together. Staff supported granting a variance to not provide north-south streets due to flood control channels and existing plat conditions. The General Plan and Section 1 were approved.
• Item 97 (Bonita Grant): Approved staff recommendation for a variance to allow a zero-foot building line for a hotel rehabilitation on a narrow street with 96 rooms.
• Item 99 (Katie Aquatic Team): Staff recommended approval with a commercial reserve designation. Speakers requested the designation be left as "unrestricted" to facilitate funding. The Commission agreed to approve the variance and maintain the unrestricted designation.
• Item 94 & 95 (North/South Airport Logistics): Variances granted to avoid mixing industrial traffic with residential areas.
• Item 121 (5343 Inchor St): Staff recommended deferral to study safety concerns regarding a 12.5-foot building line on a major thoroughfare. Motion to defer carried.
• Item 117 (Bayou Trail Replat etc.): A public hearing date of January 8, 2026, was established for multiple replats.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Items 87 (Colonial Heights Annex), 89 (Lockett Manor - wait, Item 89 was Lewis State? No, Item 89 was Lewis State, Item 91 was Riverwood, Item 92 was denied. Item 97 (Bonita Grant), 98 & 17 (Fairbanks Landing), 99 (Katie Aquatic - with unrestricted status), 100 (McKay Air Center), 118-119-122 (Various building line variances), and the Cleburn Street Minimum Lot Size Renewal.
• Denied: Item 90 (Marina Place) - application and extension denied due to legal review of deed restrictions. Item 92 (Roxton City Homes) - application denied based on applicant's stance on deed restriction compliance.
• Deferred/Extended:
  • Item 86 (Aslan Places): Deferred.
  • Item 88 (Lockett Manor): Granted 30-day extension (until Dec 18) for re-notification and legal review.
  • Item 91 (Riverwood): Deferred for ownership/easement information.
  • Item 93 (Cooper Reserve): Deferred for support from adjacent owners.
  • Item 121 (5343 Inchor St): Deferred for further study on safety/hardship.
  • Item 5317 Anchor St (Parking Variance): Deferred for further study on circulation and mitigation strategies.
  • Item 8 (East Sunnyside Court): Deferred 2 weeks for re-notification of calculation changes.
• Public Hearing Dates Set: January 8, 2026, for Bayou Trail, Cato Estates, and other listed replats.
• Legislative Action Required: Item 7 (Cleburn Street) and Item 8 (East Sunnyside - if approved next cycle) recommended to City Council for approval.