Insight and opinions regarding the regulatory expansion of federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction based on “significant nexus” by Jim Coody, P.E. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Corps of Engineers (the agencies) recently published new …
Proposed Sidewalk Fee in Lieu of Construction
In August 2020, the Houston City Council passed an ordinance (Chapter 40, Article XXII) requiring home builders and property owners to install sidewalks along the public streets in front of newly built or substantially remodeled …
Houston Land Bank Opens RFQ for Builders and Developers to Acquire Property
The Houston Land Bank (HLB) is requesting Statements of Qualifications (RFQ), now through September 20, from builders/developers wishing to acquire land from the HLB for development or redevelopment under their traditional program. This qualification process …
COH Planning Department Recordation Appointment Change
For all Plat Tracker applicants, the Planning Department is aware of the extended wait times for scheduling recordation appointments on TimeTap. In an effort to address the issue and improve customer service, the Planning Department …
City of Houston Adopts Water & Wastewater Impact Fees
Last month, the Houston City Council adopted new water and wastewater impact fees that will be effective on July 1, 2021. Impact fees are charged to developers before a newly developed property can connect to …
City of Houston Adopts New Detention Requirements, Effective April 1
(Updated March 15, 2021) Following meetings by GHBA members with Mayor Turner, City Council Members and other City of Houston officials, new detention requirements for single family lots have been modified by the City of …
Understanding Land Use Updates in the 2020 National Green Building Standard
Source: National Association of Home Builders The ICC 700-2020 National Green Building Standard® (NGBS), released in spring 2020, updated two key sections that should be bookmarked for home builders engaged in land use and housing …
CenterPoint Slab Requirement Change
After a thorough review of CenterPoint Energy’s current policy requiring a slab prior to the installation of the joint trench, the company will no longer consider a home start as a prerequisite for a final …
Contact 811 Before Building That Fence
Did you know that fence builders are required to contact 811 at least 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) prior to installing a fence? While the common misconception about 811 is it’s only for large-scale …
USACE Releases Buffalo Bayou Study Interim Report
Last month, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released an interim draft of its Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the current conditions of Buffalo …
Member Newsmaker: Lisa Clark
Lisa Clark is the senior vice president and general manager of Ryko Development, Inc. She is a decorated trailblazer in her field. To speak of Lisa Clark is to speak a list of firsts. The …
EPA Releases Final Navigable Waters Protection Rule
In late January, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army published the final Navigable Waters Protection Rule to define “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) in the Clean Water Act (CWA). …
Government Affairs/Volume Builders Meeting on Dec. 10
The GHBA’s Government Affairs and Volume Builders Committees will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, December 10 at 11:30 a.m. in the GHBA boardroom. This meeting will cover a wide variety of topics both at …
Harris County Issues Clarification on Development Regulations
In June, Harris County adopted new drainage and floodplain management regulations, as well as new development requirements based on the updated Atlas 14 study of historical rainfall data. At the time the GHBA, along with …
EPA Repeals 2015 Waters of the U.S. Rule
Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) repealed the 2015 joint Clean Water Act (CWA) “Waters of the U.S.”(WOTUS) definition and rule. That rule would have dramatically expanded jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act and …