A Path FORWARD: How We Can Stop This
Stopping a development like this is challenging, but it is possible when the community is organized, informed, and persistent. Our strategy is based on community advocacy, rigorous legal and regulatory oversight, and demanding better for our neighborhood.
1. Strong Community Opposition
Our most powerful tool is our collective voice. By taking the survey, displaying a yard sign, writing to our elected officials, and attending public meetings, we demonstrate widespread opposition. This puts pressure on decision-makers and the developer, showing them that this project is not welcome in our community.
2. Rigorous Regulatory and Legal Oversight
The developer must navigate a complex maze of city and state regulations. We will act as a watchdog at every step, ensuring full compliance with environmental laws, historic preservation ordinances, and development codes. We will formally challenge any permit application that fails to meet the highest standards of safety and environmental protection.
3. Advocating for A City-Wide Solution
We are not the only neighborhood facing this threat. We will advocate for the City of Houston to join other major cities by updating its code to implement setbacks for the construction of new gas stations at a safe distance (e.g., 300-500 feet) from homes, schools, and parks.
This is a common-sense public health measures that City Council needs our support to implement.