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    Ashby High-rise Hurdle

    Skyscraper sabotage? Developers turn out in force to fight high-densityordinance

    Steven Devadanam
    Jul 21, 2011 | 10:16 pm
    • Indeed, tall buildings aren't always popular when they abut residentialneighborhoods.
    • Will the ordinance lead to fewer developments like 2727 Kirby?
      Photo by Peter Barnes

    When the Houston Planning Commission released a proposed high density ordinance, the debate of tall buildings near residential areas (read: the 23-story Ashby high-rise) was reawakened. The proposal didn't come as a surprise, as Mayor Annise Parker included a new measure as a campaign promise in 2009.

    At a Thursday meeting of the commission, a public hearing was held in which everyday Houstonians were invited to air their grievances or express enthusiasm.

    The majority of the other developers who spoke at the public hearing agreed with Wyatt's argument that the ordinance would be "deleterious to the future of Houston"

    The proposed ordinance is meant to discourage development in locations adjacent to single family residences where neighbors would not expect development to occur by placing a 50-foot buffer between properties. Similarly, the ordinance would attempt to encourage development along major thoroughfares, transit corridors and eight major activity centers (MACs): Westchase, Energy Corridor, Medical Center, Greenspoint, Memorial City, Uptown, Greenway Plaza/Upper Kirby and Downtown.

    Not surprisingly, the proposal has left some real estate developers feeling stymied.

    "This ordinance is clearly well-intentioned, but also quite harmful," said Jack Lee, a self-described "small-time" real estate developer whose family masterminded St. James Place along San Felipe near Yorktown Street. Lee argued that the mandatory 50-foot alley would render tracts "unsuitable" for development, leaving holes in the skyline while lowering the city's tax base.

    Developer Mike Wyatt also pointed to the St. James corner of the Uptown District as an area that would be negatively impacted by the ordinance, saying the required setback "makes appropriate sites prohibitive in places we'd like to see the city densify." The majority of the other developers who spoke at the public hearing agreed with Wyatt's argument that the ordinance would be "deleterious to the future of Houston"

    Planner (and one-time mayoral hopeful) Peter Brown advocates for taking a closer look at the ordinance's emphasis on development within strictly-defined MACs. He pointed to the Sharpstown shopping area, saying its location next to a residential area could prevent its redevelopment into a vital economic hub. Brown suggested nearly 50 other development opportunity sites that aren't necessarily close to the eight MACs, such as the Washington Avenue Corridor, the Montrose/Westheimer hub and Bellaire West/International District.

    Time will tell whether the official ordinance will reduce the 50-foot setback, grandfather in-progress developments or offer generous variances. The planning commission will hold a workshop next week, and forward changes to the ordinance proposal to the city administration on Aug. 4, after which it will be presented to the City Council draft committee.

    unspecified
    news/real-estate

    rent affordability news

    Houstonians need to make nearly $68,000 to afford rent in 2025

    Amber Heckler
    May 13, 2025 | 12:30 pm
    Dolce Midtown Apartments Houston
    Photo courtesy of Dolce Midtown Apartments
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    A new rental report from Zillow has revealed Houston renters need to make about 23 percent more money than they did five years ago in order to afford rent in 2025.

    Zillow analysts examined the income needed to afford rent in 50 major U.S. metros, and determined rent prices in each city as of April 2025.

    The average Houston renter needs to make $67,731 a year to afford living in the city, the report found. To afford rent for a single-family home, the income needed increases even further to $85,017.

    Despite Houston's rising rent cost of living, it's still more affordable than many other cities. Nationally, the average income needed for someone to comfortably afford rent comes out to nearly $81,000. The study says that figure has increased nearly 35 percent since 2020.

    "Housing costs have surged since pre-pandemic, with rents growing quite a bit faster than wages," said senior Zillow economist Orphe Divounguy. "This often leaves little room for other expenses, making it particularly difficult for those hoping to save for a down payment on a future home. High upfront costs are often overlooked, which can keep renters in their current homes."

    Rent prices in Houston averaged $1,693 last month, which is less costly than the national average rent price of $2,024. Additionally, Houstonians are spending about 24 percent of their income on rent, while the typical American spends almost 30 percent of their income on rent.

    Renters are also saving hundreds of dollars in comparison to those that own their homes, as a recent SmartAsset study discovered the median monthly housing costs for a Houston homeowner came out to $2,219.

    At least we're not living on the East or West Coast, where eight U.S. metros require six-figure incomes to afford rent. Residents in San Jose, California need to make $136,532 a year to afford rent, the highest out of all 50 U.S. cities. Rent prices in San Jose came out to $3,413 in April.

    Here's how much money renters need to afford living in other Texas metros, according to Zillow:

    • Dallas – $71,413
    • Austin – $68,840
    • San Antonio – $58,590
    zillowhousing reportrent pricesaffordabilityhouston
    news/real-estate

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