Special Minimum Building Line Efforts underway in Lindale Park
Lindale Park Resources for Deed Restrictions and City Ordinances
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Latest Updates
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Updated Lindale Park Deed Restriction and Building Code Enforcement Strategy
Dear Neighbors,
Building codes and deed restrictions are unexciting topics, but they are a necessary fact of life for any neighborhood that wants to preserve their unique spirit.
The City of Houston (COH) and Lindale Park Civic Club (LPCC) provide a complementary set of building codes and deed restrictions for our neighborhood, and every resident has the right to ask whether buildings adhere to these standards, whether they be new construction or structural changes to an existing home or garage. However, it’s not reasonable for individuals to memorize each rule and/or know which COH department can help them in these matters, so the LPCC often works on behalf of residents to oversee and manage the enforcement of building codes and deed restrictions for our “Hidden Jewel” neighborhood.
This is not an easy task, since our deed restrictions are a patchwork of documents with small yet important differences between each neighborhood section and ambiguous words and subjective language in some clauses, causing highly divergent individual opinions on the intention of the clauses themselves and making them difficult to interpret for well-intentioned residents who want to “follow the rules” abidingly.
While the current state of Lindale Park Deed Restrictions reflects years of hard work put forth by many, many good-hearted LPCC volunteers, the difficulty in interpreting and enforcing them has led the LPCC Board of Directors to vote to make significant changes to our enforcement strategy.
Going forward, the LPCC will focus on enforcement of clearly defined building codes and deed restrictions, such as Special Minimum Building Line (SMBL), Special Minimum Lot Size (SMLS), single-family residence (SFR) requirements and various COH Ordinances – utility rights-of-way, as an example.
We will continue to require new construction and construction that includes structural changes to submit plans to the LPCC to check for adherence to these codes and restrictions. To demystify the process for residents, we will publish to the LPCC website a list of resources and complete workflow for residents to either advocate for change on their own behalf or seek assistance from the LPCC.
This is a decision that we spent months researching, debating and planning. To reflect our new focus, the LPCC has discontinued the “Architectural Review Committee (ARC)” and instated the notionally named “Neighborhood Preservation Committee.”
We will address this topic in more detail at future Quarterly Meetings and in our neighborhood newsletter. Until then, please continue to practice safe social interactions, respect and honor your neighbors and help those in need around you.
- Lindale Park Civic Club Board of Directors
Building codes and deed restrictions are unexciting topics, but they are a necessary fact of life for any neighborhood that wants to preserve their unique spirit.
The City of Houston (COH) and Lindale Park Civic Club (LPCC) provide a complementary set of building codes and deed restrictions for our neighborhood, and every resident has the right to ask whether buildings adhere to these standards, whether they be new construction or structural changes to an existing home or garage. However, it’s not reasonable for individuals to memorize each rule and/or know which COH department can help them in these matters, so the LPCC often works on behalf of residents to oversee and manage the enforcement of building codes and deed restrictions for our “Hidden Jewel” neighborhood.
This is not an easy task, since our deed restrictions are a patchwork of documents with small yet important differences between each neighborhood section and ambiguous words and subjective language in some clauses, causing highly divergent individual opinions on the intention of the clauses themselves and making them difficult to interpret for well-intentioned residents who want to “follow the rules” abidingly.
While the current state of Lindale Park Deed Restrictions reflects years of hard work put forth by many, many good-hearted LPCC volunteers, the difficulty in interpreting and enforcing them has led the LPCC Board of Directors to vote to make significant changes to our enforcement strategy.
Going forward, the LPCC will focus on enforcement of clearly defined building codes and deed restrictions, such as Special Minimum Building Line (SMBL), Special Minimum Lot Size (SMLS), single-family residence (SFR) requirements and various COH Ordinances – utility rights-of-way, as an example.
We will continue to require new construction and construction that includes structural changes to submit plans to the LPCC to check for adherence to these codes and restrictions. To demystify the process for residents, we will publish to the LPCC website a list of resources and complete workflow for residents to either advocate for change on their own behalf or seek assistance from the LPCC.
This is a decision that we spent months researching, debating and planning. To reflect our new focus, the LPCC has discontinued the “Architectural Review Committee (ARC)” and instated the notionally named “Neighborhood Preservation Committee.”
We will address this topic in more detail at future Quarterly Meetings and in our neighborhood newsletter. Until then, please continue to practice safe social interactions, respect and honor your neighbors and help those in need around you.
- Lindale Park Civic Club Board of Directors
Deed Restrictions
In the early 1970s, the deed restrictions of Lindale Park were allowed to lapse, but a hardworking group of volunteers banded together in the early 1980s and began the arduous task of re-implementing our current deed restrictions.
Not only do we see the benefits of these great volunteers in our re-instated deed restrictions, but the sound wall, upgraded water system, street resurfacing, increased street lighting and boulevard enhancement also were a result of the efforts of our Civic Club.
Not only do we see the benefits of these great volunteers in our re-instated deed restrictions, but the sound wall, upgraded water system, street resurfacing, increased street lighting and boulevard enhancement also were a result of the efforts of our Civic Club.
Here are links to Lindale Park’s current deed restrictions by Section number:
Section 2 Section 3 Section 5 Section 6 Section 7
Disclaimer
The Deed Restrictions shown here are for informational purposes only. Recorded copies of the Lindale Park Subdivision Deed Restrictions may be viewed and copies obtained at the office of the Harris County Clerk at 1001 Preston, 4th Floor, Houston, TX 77002.
Lindale Park Section Map
Section Boundaries
Section 1 - Helmers - Robertson - Ave of Oaks - IH-610
Section 2 - Helmers - Robertson - Milwaukee - Woodard
Section 3 - Helmers - Robertson - Moody - Graceland
Section 5 - Helmers - Fulton - Moody - Graceland
Section 6 - Helmers - Fulton - Graceland - Eleanor
Section 7 - Helmers - Fulton - Kelley - IH-610
Section 2 Section 3 Section 5 Section 6 Section 7
Disclaimer
The Deed Restrictions shown here are for informational purposes only. Recorded copies of the Lindale Park Subdivision Deed Restrictions may be viewed and copies obtained at the office of the Harris County Clerk at 1001 Preston, 4th Floor, Houston, TX 77002.
Lindale Park Section Map
Section Boundaries
Section 1 - Helmers - Robertson - Ave of Oaks - IH-610
Section 2 - Helmers - Robertson - Milwaukee - Woodard
Section 3 - Helmers - Robertson - Moody - Graceland
Section 5 - Helmers - Fulton - Moody - Graceland
Section 6 - Helmers - Fulton - Graceland - Eleanor
Section 7 - Helmers - Fulton - Kelley - IH-610
Chapter 42 and Special Minimum Lot Size (SMLS)
All of Lindale Park extends a HUGE thank you to Gwyn Guidy, Kathy Gutierrez, Diana Lerma Pfeifer, Virginia Duke and all the block walkers who worked to protect the lot sizes in our beloved neighborhood! By walking door-to-door to collect “Yes” votes and signatures, these individuals and countless others have preserved the character of Lindale Park through Chapter 42 – the city’s land development ordinance.
This group asked residents to help preserve the neighborhood by establishing a minimum lot size (only single-family residences), thereby preventing incompatible residential development.
All areas completed voting and passed with overwhelming support. Then, the area applications were voted on and approved by City Council agenda and are now law. Please refer to the documents and maps below more information.
Lindale Park SMLS Map
SMLS Ordinances:
2014-376
2014-377
2015-656
2015-657
2015-658
2015-659
2015-892
