Conservation District

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Proposed Independence Heights Conservation District
Update: October 9, 2023


Meeting #2

Tuesday, October 24

6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Bella Vista Missionary Baptist Church

803 East 35th St., Houston TX 77022


The purpose is to clarify what a Conservation District is and the process for creating one. We'll also discuss the proposed boundary and design criteria. Representatives from the Planning and Development Department will be there to share information, answer questions and gather input and feedback.

Map: conservation district boundary for discussion


Independence Heights Meeting #1

A public meeting was held on Tuesday, Sept. 19 to discuss the creation of a Conservation District in Independence Heights. Participants provided feedback on proposed criteria and a proposed map.

We heard concern and confusion about what a Conservation District is, how it's created and where we are in the process for establishing one in Independence Heights. For this reason, we have not opened the required 30-day voting period.

Instead, we will host another public meeting to clarify the purpose and process and to gather more input on the details of a proposed district. Letters will be mailed to property owners within the boundary in advance of a second public meeting.

No voting will occur at any public meeting. If consensus to move forward is obtained, voting on any proposed criteria will be conducted through a mailed Response Form. Response Forms are mailed to the mailing address on record with the Harris County Appraisal District.

In the meantime, let us know if you have questions or concerns by commenting in our open forum or contacting Jacqueline Brown at jacqueline.brown@houstontx.gov or 832-393-6587.


What are Conservation Districts?

A Conservation District establishes a set of area specific design requirements intended to serve the public interest in preserving and protecting neighborhoods with architectural or cultural importance. Conservation Districts require agreement by the majority of property owners in the neighborhood.

Read the Conservation Districts FAQ

Potential benefits of creating a Conservation District for your community could include:

  • Protect the character, look and feel of an area or neighborhood
  • Support compatible development and new construction
  • Promote livability and quality of life
  • Includes structures of any age

Requirements are established by the residents and owners who live and own property within a proposed district. Each district may look different depending on the cultural importance found in the community. Here is a menu of features that can be included in a neighborhood specific Conservation District.

  • Building height or number of stories
  • Building size and massing (general shape and form of the structure)
  • Front-facing building features
  • Lot size and coverage
  • Front and side building setbacks
  • Off-street parking and yard parking
  • Roof line and pitch
  • Paving and hardscape covering
  • General site planning (location of primary and ancillary structures)
  • Architectural style and detailing
  • Urban architectural character
  • Garage entrance location
  • Fences and walls
  • Building relocation and demolitions
  • Alterations to existing structures


Where can conservation districts be created?

Houston City Council voted on April 5 to approve an amendment to Chapter 33 of the Code of Ordinances that will enable the process of creating Conservation Districts in six pilot Houston neighborhoods:

  • Independence Heights
  • Freedmen’s Town
  • Acres Home
  • Magnolia Park/Manchester
  • Pleasantville
  • Piney Point (in District F, not Piney Point Village)

The ordinance amendment does not create any Conservation Districts at this time but authorizes the Planning and Development Department to move forward in concert with these selected communities to continue public engagement, evaluate options and begin the district creation process.

This ordinance amendment was discussed at the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission (HAHC) meeting of Jan. 26. A second HAHC hearing was held on Thursday, Feb. 9. City Council held a public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 22. City Council considered the proposed ordinance at their meeting on Wednesday, March 29. Action on the item is postponed, by Council tag, and was approved on Wednesday April 5. Please review the Conservation District final ordinance.

The need for a new historic preservation tool that may help protect and preserve the remaining historic resources and character of certain neighborhoods in the City of Houston has existed for a long time. Staff began to look at Conservation Districts (a tool that exists in several Texas cities) in late 2019 and the topic was integrated into the ongoing work of the Livable Places initiative. View videos from early Conservation District Focus Groups at right.

Read more about Three Types of Districts.



Proposed Independence Heights Conservation District
Update: October 9, 2023


Meeting #2

Tuesday, October 24

6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Bella Vista Missionary Baptist Church

803 East 35th St., Houston TX 77022


The purpose is to clarify what a Conservation District is and the process for creating one. We'll also discuss the proposed boundary and design criteria. Representatives from the Planning and Development Department will be there to share information, answer questions and gather input and feedback.

Map: conservation district boundary for discussion


Independence Heights Meeting #1

A public meeting was held on Tuesday, Sept. 19 to discuss the creation of a Conservation District in Independence Heights. Participants provided feedback on proposed criteria and a proposed map.

We heard concern and confusion about what a Conservation District is, how it's created and where we are in the process for establishing one in Independence Heights. For this reason, we have not opened the required 30-day voting period.

Instead, we will host another public meeting to clarify the purpose and process and to gather more input on the details of a proposed district. Letters will be mailed to property owners within the boundary in advance of a second public meeting.

No voting will occur at any public meeting. If consensus to move forward is obtained, voting on any proposed criteria will be conducted through a mailed Response Form. Response Forms are mailed to the mailing address on record with the Harris County Appraisal District.

In the meantime, let us know if you have questions or concerns by commenting in our open forum or contacting Jacqueline Brown at jacqueline.brown@houstontx.gov or 832-393-6587.


What are Conservation Districts?

A Conservation District establishes a set of area specific design requirements intended to serve the public interest in preserving and protecting neighborhoods with architectural or cultural importance. Conservation Districts require agreement by the majority of property owners in the neighborhood.

Read the Conservation Districts FAQ

Potential benefits of creating a Conservation District for your community could include:

  • Protect the character, look and feel of an area or neighborhood
  • Support compatible development and new construction
  • Promote livability and quality of life
  • Includes structures of any age

Requirements are established by the residents and owners who live and own property within a proposed district. Each district may look different depending on the cultural importance found in the community. Here is a menu of features that can be included in a neighborhood specific Conservation District.

  • Building height or number of stories
  • Building size and massing (general shape and form of the structure)
  • Front-facing building features
  • Lot size and coverage
  • Front and side building setbacks
  • Off-street parking and yard parking
  • Roof line and pitch
  • Paving and hardscape covering
  • General site planning (location of primary and ancillary structures)
  • Architectural style and detailing
  • Urban architectural character
  • Garage entrance location
  • Fences and walls
  • Building relocation and demolitions
  • Alterations to existing structures


Where can conservation districts be created?

Houston City Council voted on April 5 to approve an amendment to Chapter 33 of the Code of Ordinances that will enable the process of creating Conservation Districts in six pilot Houston neighborhoods:

  • Independence Heights
  • Freedmen’s Town
  • Acres Home
  • Magnolia Park/Manchester
  • Pleasantville
  • Piney Point (in District F, not Piney Point Village)

The ordinance amendment does not create any Conservation Districts at this time but authorizes the Planning and Development Department to move forward in concert with these selected communities to continue public engagement, evaluate options and begin the district creation process.

This ordinance amendment was discussed at the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission (HAHC) meeting of Jan. 26. A second HAHC hearing was held on Thursday, Feb. 9. City Council held a public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 22. City Council considered the proposed ordinance at their meeting on Wednesday, March 29. Action on the item is postponed, by Council tag, and was approved on Wednesday April 5. Please review the Conservation District final ordinance.

The need for a new historic preservation tool that may help protect and preserve the remaining historic resources and character of certain neighborhoods in the City of Houston has existed for a long time. Staff began to look at Conservation Districts (a tool that exists in several Texas cities) in late 2019 and the topic was integrated into the ongoing work of the Livable Places initiative. View videos from early Conservation District Focus Groups at right.

Read more about Three Types of Districts.


Discussions: All (1) Open (1)
Page last updated: 01 Nov 2023, 05:18 PM