Quote:
Originally Posted by WesternGulf
When I lived in Houston it almost seemed like a victim of its own size. Any efforts at zoning always seemed community based which unfortunately turns out to be an ineffective passive route because it would always clash with the lax municipal preservation laws of the city. The sad thing is, such neighborhood ordinances do not preserve the architectural integrity of neighborhoods. One neighborhood, the Old Sixth Ward, was successful in creating a preservation ordinance in 2007 saving over 200 homes from further demolition but the careless attitudes of developers still runs rapid. The city still permits the drive through condos or the 4000 square foot McMansions on 4000 square foot lots in these neighborhoods. Density has it's place but not in the older streetcar suburbs like the Greater Houston Heights and the old Sixth Ward.
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It would be shame to lose those older neighborhoods. Some areas, though, I don't feel bad about. For example, Bellaire was a humongous enclave of bland, post WWI homes until the last decade, when almost every old home was torn down and replaced. In that case, it's turned out to be much, much better because of what was there originally. But places like the Heights shouldn't be messed with.
Now I hear that Oak Forest is under seige. Won't be long before it's gone. It was a nice, quite neighborhood of cute little bungalows. I need to drive over there and see what's happening.
. Way to start my day! 
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