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City amends SMLS policy after ‘unique’ case By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
When she voted in favor of a Special Minimum Lot Size Area (SMLSA) ordinance in 2019, Elizabeth Nemec thought she was helping to protect her slice of the Heights from further commercial development in a mostly residential area. Such ordinances serve as zoning mechanisms in a city without zoning laws, allowing homeowners to restrict land use in their immediate area while ensuring that new home construction fits with the character of existing structures. But earlier this year, Nemec found
out that within the designated eightblock area, where all vacant, unplatted lots are required to be used for single-family homes per the SMLSA ordinance, that the Houston Planning Commission allowed three residential lots to be re-platted in 2020 as part of an unrestricted reserve. That means the land can be used for commercial purposes or multi-family housing, such as an apartment complex. After Nemec and about 65 percent of her neighbors voted in favor of the SMLSA ordinance, but before it was approved and turned into law by the Houston City Council, the city’s Plan-
ning & Development Department, in consultation with the city’s legal team, determined the measure is superseded by a similar 2004 ordinance that restricts lot size in that part of the Heights but not land use. That leaves the newer ordinance ineffectual, at least for the time being. “That was not communicated to any of us that were voting for it,” Nemec said. “It made us feel a false sense of security.” The three residential lots and one commercial lot that was re-platted into a 25,000 square foot unrestricted See Ordinance P. 5A
Reason to party
Photo by Adam Zuvanich A 25,000-square foot property at the southwest corner of 10th 1/2 Street and Studewood Street was recently sold to a developer.
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INSIDE. Concert goers enjoy a balcony view during a “Vampire Weekend” concert at White Oak Music Hall in 2019.
Photo by Julian Bajsel
WOMH celebrating fifth anniversary Music man. Oak Forest’s Drake Eckhart offers at-home music lessons to local students.
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Drink up. Stefan Modrich reviews cocktails at William Price Distillery in Garden Oaks.
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By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com
Nearly 1 million people have walked through the doors of White Oak Music Hall (WOMH), 2915 N. Main St., as it’s hosted almost 1,700 concerts since its founding five years ago. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, with all its successes and challenges, including Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic, WOMH is hosting a fan appreciation day on Aug. 21. The event, which is free for ages 21 and up and $5 for those under 21, will include the musical stylings of Ruckus, Camera Cult, Marley Moon, -iLL LiaDand Hiram, who is a DJ who will play a montage of artists that have performed at WOMH over the years. “Because we do so many shows, it might get lost in the shuffle that we’ve hosted dozens of award-winning artists; artists that have won Grammys, CMAs, Mercury Prizes, etc.,” said Johnny So, WOMH’s co-managing partner. “These
Great expectations. Local football players are earning preseason recognition.
Photo by Trish Badger Music fans got close to the stage during a sold-out 2019 concert at White Oak Music Hall.
are world-renowned artists that are coming to our venue. And we’ve been told by many artists over the years that WOMH is a highlight of their tour. That goes a long way towards helping establish Houston as a can’t-miss touring des-
Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons. ................................................. 3B Food/Drink............................................. 1B Obituaries.............................................. 8A Opinion. ................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 3A Sports. ....................................................... 4B
tination.” So said he’s heard from many nearby residents that they enjoy having a venue so close. But WOMH feuded with some Near Northside residents in its early See WOMH P. 5A
Houston ISD’s new superintendent proposed a mask mandate that would apply to all students, employees and visitors on district campuses, buses and facilities - joining other Texas school districts in defiance of a standing executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott. Millard House II, who was hired in June after leading a school system in Tennessee, announced during a school board review meeting House Aug 5. that the HISD Board of Education would vote on the proposed mask mandate at this Thursday’s meeting. If approved by the nine-member elected board, which voted after press time, House said the measure would take effect immediately. HISD is scheduled to start the 202122 school year Aug. 23. With no funding provided for virtual learning by the Texas Legislature earlier this year, HISD plans to hold classes entirely in person. Earlier Aug. 5, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo raised the county’s COVID threat level to red, its highest level, amid a recent spike in cases and hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant of the coronavirus. Children younger than age 12 are not eligible to receive one of the COVID vaccines available in the U.S. “As superintendent of schools of the largest school system in the state of Texas, that concerns me,” House said during the Aug. 5 meeting. “It concerns me greatly.” Elizabeth Santos and Kathy Blueford Daniels, the HISD trustees who serve area schools, both indicated on Twitter last week they would vote in favor of a mask mandate, with Santos writing, “I will vote for any and all measures to keep our kids and communities safe.” Austin ISD and Dallas ISD are among other Texas school districts that have announced mask-wearing requirements, according to the Texas Tribune, which also reported that Abbott has been sued over See Masks P. 5A
Waltrip grad Tokyo-bound as coach for Paralympics By Betsy Denson
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THE INDEX.
New superintendent proposes mask mandate in defiance of statewide order
betsy@theleadernews.com
Waltrip High School graduate Katie McClosky is off to the Paralympics next week as part of Team USA. As a strength and conditioning coach with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, McClosky works with both Olympic and Paralympic sports. “I love the relationships I have built with athletes,” McClosky said. “My coaching is built from relationContributed photo ships and trust. I could have the best Waltrip graduate Katie McClosky, in red, is strength and conditioning program headed to Tokyo for the Paralympic Games.
in the world, but if an athlete doesn’t believe in it then it is worthless. So, I spend a great deal of time getting to know the athletes individually.” On the Olympic side, McClosky has worked with the swimming, shooting, modern pentathlon and sport climbing teams. On the Paralympic side, she works with the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams. It is the basketball teams she is going to Tokyo to support. “Both teams are defending gold medals from Rio in 2016,” she said. “I will be there to assist teams when lifting, leading warmups, attending
practices and also being there for the games.” The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is the National Olympic Committee and the National Paralympic Committee for the U.S.. Founded in 1895 as the United States Olympic Committee, the USOPC is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. McClosky was offered an internship with the strength and conditioning department at the USOPC in January 2017, which eventually led to a full-time position. See McClosky P. 4A
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