At noon on January 10, members of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives gathered in their respective chambers at the Capitol to convene the 85th legislative session. That began the 140 day countdown to …
GHBA Government Affairs to Serve on COH Platting Standards Committee
The GHBA has been invited to participate in the upcoming Planning Commission Committee on Platting Standards. This committee will have two primary responsibilities: Consider and make recommendations on potential changes to the planning standards of …
City of Houston IECC Solar Readiness Requirements In Effect Nov. 28
During the 84th Texas Legislative Session, the legislature passed House Bill 1736 which mandated a new minimum energy code for most new residential construction and some remodeling work beginning on September 1, 2016. In September, …
What’s Not Being Said About MUDs
Recently, the Houston Chronicle published an article about a Municipal Utility District, Fort Bend County MUD 187, and the dissatisfaction of some homeowners that the MUD might issue bonds, which they believe could raise their …
GHBA Gets the First Quarterly Progress Report on Special Revenue Fund
As we have previously reported, in the fall of 2015 the City of Houston Planning and Development Department (P&D) introduced a proposal to create a special revenue fund (SRF) to collect development fees, along with …
It’s Good to be in Houston, Texas!
Well, not so much in the summer. The Houston Association of Realtors reported that Houston set a record for the first half of 2016, with over 36,000 sales. This was a 2.7% increase over the …
GHBA Submits Letter Regarding IRS Proposed MUD Regulations
Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed Treasury Regulations which, if enacted, would greatly change the guidelines for defining a “political subdivision” for purposes of issuing tax-exempt bonds. Specifically, to be considered …
A Commitment to Public Service
The GHBA mission is to “provide advocacy, education, professional development and valuable services to its members and to the home building industry.” Some GHBA members truly take this mission to heart by serving in advocacy-related …
New Rules Now in Effect for Developing in the Addicks, Barker and Cypress Creek Watersheds
After many months of negotiating and working with GHBA, West Houston Association and ACEC, the Harris County Flood Control District has now released the “Supplemental Guidelines and Criteria for Developing in the Addicks Reservoir Watershed, …
GHBA Actively Meeting with COH Mayor and Council
Following the election of a new City of Houston Mayor and five new council members last fall, nearly one-third of those that occupy the City Hall Horseshoe are freshman. In an effort to further introduce …
Planning & Development Special Revenue Fund and User Fee Adjustments Effective March 1
At the November 2015 GHBA Government Affairs Committee meeting, the City of Houston Planning and Development Department (P&D) introduced a proposal to create a special revenue fund (SRF) to collect development fees, along with a …
Revisions to Historic Preservation Ordinance in effect Nov 6, 2015
Over the last year, GHBA remodelers and builders have participated in stakeholder meetings with the City of Houston in order to make minor revisions to the Historic Preservation Ordinance. After many discussions and negotiations, the …
City of Houston Builders: Chapter 42
On July 24, 2015, new Chapter 42 development regulations went into effect. These changes were a result of GHBA meetings with Planning Commission members and Super Neighborhood Alliance members over the past two years. The …