Extra Credit Assignment

Residents of the Southampton neighborhood

Residents of the Southampton neighborhood have been battling local developers’ plans to build Ashby High Rise for a long time (Mathew). They contend that the high-rise structure will bring in activities that will invade their privacy in their backyard and clog the streets with traffic at the same time. Residents and Buckhead Investment Partners have been at odds for the past ten years. Both sides have experienced wins and losses in some circumstances.

The City of Houston should permit the construction

The City of Houston should permit the construction of Ashby High Rise to proceed as scheduled in light of the decision’s appeal. This is because the rule also highlighted the rules that control property development. It eliminated the risks that come with uncertainties such as wondering whether to continue with the project or not, neighborhood veto, or essentiality. The court battles also illustrated that money was never an issue and the residents were given an option to pursue according to the ruling. However, before going forward with the project, the developers must sit down with the residents and look for options that will bring something, which is livable for everyone.

Houston is the only major city in the United States

Houston is the only major city in the United States of America with no zoning rule. Since zoning is the method, in which the land is controlled, without it comes benefits and downsides. Houston has experienced both the benefits and downside of no zoning. By keeping Houston free of zoning, the rights of property ownership is protected. Property owners can choose how their land should be developed. The effect of no zoning in Houston delimits the use of regulations, which will impose any form of segregation. With no zoning in Houston, property owners and business people have the potential of maximizing the benefits that come with their properties (Stephen). The costs of housing, business, and consumer cost have become affordable because of the availability of a land, which is developable. The developers will also benefit from not paying the costs that come with zoning taxations. In that case, Houston will encourage mixed-use development, which will put shopping, work, and residences in proximity (Laurie).

Without Zoning, Houston will suffer some downside

Without Zoning, Houston will suffer some downside. The community of Houston will not have much control over how the land will be used. One example is the case between the residents of Southampton neighborhood and Buckhead Investment Partners regarding the construction of Ashby High Rise. Members of the community will not have the power of preventing cases of incompatible land use. Moreover, Houston will be having many cases regarding the illogical organizations of land use. Houston City will also not benefit from the advantages that come with a citywide planning vehicle.

The primary concern of Houston City is the implementation of zoning act

The primary concern of Houston City is the implementation of zoning act. With zoning, Houston City will be in a good position in solving the problems that comes with environmental concerns, traffic, and affordability. Zoning will help Houston City with the control of business activities that endangered environmental conservations. In that case, any size and kind of business will be easily controlled. Therefore, it is high time for the people of Houston to change their perception about zoning. The benefits that come with zoning are about the business activities for the next 50 years. From the economic and development perspectives, Houston has the potential of becoming a world-class city. It will be a city of many business opportunities, including increased housing stocks.

Works Cited

Mathew Festa. What the Ashby high-rise case means for the future of Houston development. (2016). Print. https://urbanedge.blogs.rice.edu/2016/07/15/3819/#.WiJ721Vl_IX

Stephen J. Smith. Sprawltastic Houston Is Densifying and the Courts Can’t Stop It. (2014). Print. https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/ashby-high-rise-lawsuit-houston-developers-sprawl

Laurie Johnson. Where the Ashby High Rise Stands. (2010). https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2010/07/12/21785/where-the-ashby- high-rise-stands/