This Week: Committee Reviews Sanitary Sewer System Consent Decree; Houston Spaceport Breaks Ground; Public Meeting: 2019 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan<
Committee Reviews Sanitary Sewer System “Consent Decree”
Mayor Pro Tem Cohen and her colleagues received a presentation during a meeting of theBudget and Fiscal Affairs Committee on a “consent decree” that the Legal Department has negotiated with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Texas regarding Houston’s sanitary sewer system. This agreement is part of a 30-year initiative of the EPA to address sewer overflows and wastewater pollution concerns in cities across the country. As a result of the lawsuit, over the next 15 years, Houston will invest $2B in upgrading our 6,200 miles of sewer mains, 384 lift stations, and 39 treatment plants, as well as installing 3,000 “smart” manholes that will allow the City to anticipate and prevent overflows. Council is expected to vote on the consent decree on Wednesday, July 17th. The agreement is then filed in the courts and will enter a 30-day public comment period. The courts and administration will then review the comments received and potentially make changes based on the public’s recommendations.
Houston Spaceport Breaks Ground
The Houston Airport System broke ground on the planned commercial spaceport at Ellington Field. The first phase of the project will include construction of streets, water and wastewater pipelines, electrical power, and distribution and communications facilities. A partner with NASA, theHouston Spaceport will be a hub for the commercial spaceflight industry and will serve as a launch and landing site for suborbital, reusable launch vehicles. Completion of Phase 1 is expected in 2020.
Public Meeting: 2019 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan
On Thursday, August 1st, the Houston Planning Commission will host a public hearing to review proposed amendments to the 2019 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan. This annually-reviewed document identifies the widths, speed limits, and building setbacks of Houston’s streets. The meeting will begin at 2:30PM in City Hall Annex Chambers (900 Bagby St, Public Level, 77002).
After the public hearing, the Planning and Development Department will prepare final recommendations for presentation at the August 29th Planning Commission meeting, during which Commissioners will vote on each amendment. The 2019 MTFP will then move to City Council for a vote in September. All Planning Commission meetings are open to the public, include the opportunity for public comment, and are streamed and archived online via HTV.