By Darlene Wayt

Super Neighborhood Council 14 (SNC-14) 2018 meeting dates are February 8; April 12; June 14; August 9; October11; and December 13. We’ve changed the day and venue! Our SNC-14 bi-monthly public meetings will be held on Thursdays at Lazybrook Baptist Church, 1822 W. 18th Street, from 6:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

At our December 14 meeting, Stephen Costello, COH Chief Resilience Officer (“Flood Czar”), spoke about COH Development Regulations as they relate to flooding. He also addressed Sources of Recovery Money and Uses.

During the discussion of regulations, Costello said that he favors and will recommend a revision to Chapter 9 (Storm Water Design) of the Public Works and Engineering Department’s Infrastructure Design Manual that would eliminate “grandfathering” which allows for exemptions and/or reductions in detention and drainage requirements for redevelopment of properties that had impervious cover in the past. Eliminating “grandfathering” would require full mitigation for all new development, including high-density development.

Mr. Costello is working with officials in Washington, D.C. to expedite HUD and FEMA funds to Houston to aid with Harvey recovery but he cautioned this is a slow, cumbersome process. In the meantime, Mr. Costello is also working with Mayor Pro Tem Cohen and Assistant Director Rod Pinheiro of the Storm Water Action Team (SWAT) Program. The SWAT initiative aims to improve localized drainage by addressing collapsed outfalls & roadside ditches and grate failures. MPT Cohen has authorized some discretionary funds to be used for these purposes.

These are only a few highlights from the information presented by Mr. Costello. He can be reached at 832-393- 0811 or stephen.costello@houstontx.gov.

The SNC-14 continues monitor the Holly Park/Timbergrove Traffic Study; the fence and foundation rebuild around the Bryce Chemical Feed Station; and the installation of odor monitoring equipment at that site.

For information about the SNC-14, visit www.snc-14.org. The positions of Vice President and chair of the Parks and  Beautification Committee are vacant. If you would like to volunteer, contact Darlene Wayt, SNC-14 Correspondence Secretary at dwayt@comcast.net.