Houston's Conservation Districts are a Mistake

Houston has a long and varied history, but it is also growing very rapidly. People who support conservation districts worry that many of our historic neighborhoods are losing their original character and charm as older homes are torn down and replaced with new ones that don't fit the style or size of the area. To deal with this problem, the city council recently approved a program that would allow conservation districts to be made in six pilot neighborhoods: Independence Heights, Freedman's Town, Acres Homes, Magnolia Park/Manchester, Pleasantville, and Piney Point.

Conservation districts are not the same as historic districts because they are more flexible and run by the community. They let people decide on things like building height, size, materials, setbacks, and parking that protect and keep the character and history of their neighborhoods. For a conservation district to be created, at least 51% of property owners must show their support through a mail-in survey. The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission (HAHC) and the city council must also agree to create the district.

Conservation districts may seem like a good way to stop unwanted changes and protect the identity of a neighborhood, but they also have some downsides that could make them more expensive or harder to get to. Here are a few examples:

Conservation districts could make it harder to build homes in places where there is a lot of demand. This could cause prices and rents for both new and old homes to go up. This could make it harder for low- and middle-income families to live in these areas or find affordable housing nearby.

Conservation districts could make it hard for people to change or improve their homes in ways that would make them more valuable or comfortable. For example, they might not be able to add an extra story, a garage, or a porch if it doesn't meet the standards set by the district. This could make it harder for them to make money by investing in their homes or selling them for more money.

Conservation districts could make it harder for new buildings to go up in these neighborhoods, which could make them more diverse, dense, and full of amenities. For instance, they might stop the building of multifamily housing, mixed-use projects, or affordable housing that could meet the needs of many different kinds of households. This could make it harder for the economy to grow and for people to get along in these areas.

Conservation districts are mostly bad because of what they are. They are tools that can be used to reach certain goals and achieve certain results. But they also have costs and effects that need to be carefully thought through and weighed. Since they are going through with new conservation districts thanks to the vote they won in Tuesday’s city council meeting, the city council should make sure that the creation of conservation districts is based on good planning principles and data, as well as on meaningful input from the community. The city should also keep an eye on and evaluate the effects of conservation districts on the cost and availability of housing as well as the quality and vitality of the neighborhood.

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