Houston May Decide to Fence Itself In

(Updated: 03/24/2015) Houston's lack of zoning has always presented a paradox. On the one hand, it's a conservative policy, giving private enterprise a free hand to build the city, and profit from it, as it sees fit. On the other hand, it has been a radical experiment in city-building, being the only major city in the United States without strict land-use controls. 

For over ten years, a nonprofit group called Blueprint Houston has claimed that the experiment has been, if not a failure, then at least problematic. Led by planner Peter Park, Blueprint Houston has led the movement to consider smarter ways for Houston to cope with its explosive growth and perhaps rein in some of the sprawl that has resulted from rampant speculation and leapfrog development: "for Houston, the relationship between development and transportation needs to be addressed—not just cars and future traffic, but also the relationships between development and various types of transportation beyond the automobile."

With the appointment of *Planning and Development Department Director Pat Walsh last year, many of Blueprint Houston's goals are being realized. Upon taking the position, Walsh ordered that a general plan be drafted within a mere 10 months. Walsh touts the plan as a guiding document for operating the city. He emphasizes that zoning ordinances will not immediately spring up like bluebonnets. But, he also contends that Houston isn't exactly un-planned in the first place: 

"We regulate development with subdivisions, landscape ordinances, dedication of right of way, drainage, and parking," Walsh told The Architect's Newspaper. "We do have a lot of deed restriction–like zoning protections. We do not expect zoning to be an outcome of this. This is about making sure we are effective as possible at creating and enhancing the city.”

The plan is expected to be presented to the City Council for adoption by this fall.  

*The post has been corrected to reflect the proper title and gender for Pat Walsh.