NOT ON THE BALLOT The Chronicle sneaks a general question about “land-use restrictions” into its Zogby-run poll of likely voters for the city’s November elections. “Out of 601 people surveyed between Oct. 12 and 15, 71 percent said they strongly or somewhat agree that ‘Houston should enact tougher land use restrictions.’” [Houston Chronicle; details]
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71% doesn’t feel like such a ground-swell of enthusiasm, yet, it’s evolution.
When population increases, and we’re living on top of each other & still have to get along, we bring on the rules and regulations!
Go Citizens.
I doubt seriously you would see 71% approving zoning if it were put on the ballot but no doubt it will be brought up at a city council meeting soon in another atttempt to “Stop Ashby” which may stop itself if the developers decide rather than build what was approved to see if they can get the original plans approved. They may end up with no foundation permit, no lawsuit and a mayor who may indeed be able to stop it if city council passes something finally.
What’s the breakdown of the survey?
Where were the general location of the responders polled living?
How many responders were single? family?
What age breakdown?
A lot of missing information in the Chron story (which doesn’t surprise me).
The questions I read aren’t really specific enough to give a good read on the answer.
Polls are good if they internals are of quality. Just calling 601 people and taking their answers aren’t helpful.
Ditto kjb. Is this in the city limits, or the Metro? Do these people live in a master-planned, deed-restricted subdivision? Or in one of the truly “unzoned” patches, i.e. older neighborhoods with expired deed restrictions.
Don’t forget that this was a phone poll, which I believe is only allowed to contact responders on their landlines, not on cell phones. So everyone who has gone cell-only is not represented.
I have a landline, it came with the apartment. I also have an ancient portable phone I used back in ’03 or so. In two months I have yet to hook it up, mainly for want of a $5 radioshack phone cord.
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These polls are useful to the extent they convince the pro-zoning forces (Crossley and others) that there is now “widespread support” for something that’s been voted down four or five times now.
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It makes it easier to defeat in the event if actually comes up for election again.
Agree there is probably not the depth of support that the Chronicle survey might indicate. However, even older and recent neighbors in my area are stirring around, alarmed by density–i.e. 3 kitchens where there was 1 and 9 commodes where there were 2 on one lot on our street. We’re also concerned by shoddy high density construction that has been open to the weather for almost 4 years, still undergoing intermittent attention from the owner/builder. I guess the more people who have negative experiences with problems engendered by the lack of regulation, then the more support there will be for increased oversight.
Read the articles that Texas Monthly did on the “Texas Residential Construction Commission” and you’ll soon understand the epic shoddiness of recent stickbuilt multifamily…