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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpring 2010I A NEIGHBORHOOD CITY INCORPORATED IN 1925 Recreational Facilities On Time and Under Budget From Your Mayor Bob Kelly With spring approaching, we are on the brink of an exciting time in the history of our City with the unveiling of state-of- the-art recreation and aquatic facilities that will entertain, enrich and serve West U residents for future generations. The highly- anticipated grand openings of the West University Place Recreation Center and Colonial Park Pool will culminate a true community effort of planning, resources and civic teamwork. These new facilities are the first pool building projects in West U since the original Colonial loca- tion was introduced in 1947. 63 years later, City residents will benefit from two versatile venues that will balance seasonal fun with year-round accessibility never before afforded to this extent. City leadership is especially proud Architectural renderin that both buildings will open on time and under budget. Countless citizens and staff collaborated in a deliberate and transparent process to accommodate the aquatic and recreational desires of every age group in West U. g of Colonial Park Pool Our Parks & Recreation staff, led by Tim O'Connor, has been working around the clock to ensure smooth grand openings and a positive synergy between these two amazing facilities. The Recreation Center, scheduled to open April 12, will allow an indoor pool convenience with an out- door ambiance, combining the best of both worlds. The permanent ceiling and enclosure allows residents an increase of at least eight percent of available swim time, a significant upgrade compared to previous downtime at Colonial Park due to the setup of the inflatable bubble. The swim amenities for fitness, instruction and competition will rival any aquatic Architectural rendering of West University Place Recreation Center Currents Spring 2010 Mayor Kelly Address Continued from cover facility in the region. The City will offer fitness programs that will equal the menu of neighboring athletic clubs, including multi-purpose areas for group exercise classes and cardio/weight work. In concert with our goal of perpetuating a commu- nity feel of this attraction, the Recreation center is surrounded and accented by spacious youth fields, playgrounds and walking trails. The reinvented Colonial Park Pool, slated to open May 29, offers something for every- one. From infants to our dedicated senior swimmers, shallow to deep ends, Colonial will feature five different recreational swim zones. It is a truly multi-generational pool, with a covered patio area, lots of addi- tional shade (of all the new features at the pool - and there are many - residents overwhelmingly voiced desire for shade, and many quadrants of the pool provide that relief, as you asked) and a year-round multi-purpose room. Both venues will be proud destina- tions and community centerpieces for our residents of all ages and leisure pursuits, and I know you'll find the recent expense and grow- ing pains well worth the resulting pleasure. projects in other cities across the country; the benefit of being one of only thirteen cities in the State of Texas to achieve the AAA rating by Standard and Poor's will save residents a great deal of money over the life of the bonds. As construction of these pools concludes, another major initiative begins in March that will last through much of 2010. City Council is increasingly focused on the update of our public safety facili- ties; plans are moving swiftly for the new police headquarters to be built adjacent to City Hall, to allow our dedicated staff to enhance the security of our residents. Construction will start soon with minimal imposition on residents and no interrup- tion of convenience and city service. As with the aquatic venues, this municipal expansion commences as a result of superb fiscal management by our City staff in the midst of economic times that threaten such Finally, please know that the staff is firmly committed to the preventative maintenance on all City facilities in order to achieve the maximum life from these important assets. On behalf of your City Council, I invite you to enjoy our new recreation venues and look forward to the continued improvement of city services. The highly-anticipated grand openings of the West University Place Recreation Center and the Colonial Park Pool will culminate a true community effort of planning, resources and civic teamwork. From Council Member Steven Segal IT'S A PROCESS: COUNCIL LISTENS In government, decision-making can be slow and frustrating at times. This is the price we gladly pay as residents to have a voice in the decisions of elected officials. This "voice" has been effective in many decisions made by this and prior Councils. After a $26.4 million bond issue to rebuild the Recreation Center and Colonial Pool failed, Council proposed a $13.8 million bond issue (with changes), which nar- rowly passed: the majority of those voting said yes - do it. Not all ancillary decisions can be subject to a vote of residents but the process is still important. As the new facilities took shape, a subcom- mittee of the Parks & Recreation Board (PRB) was appointed to study and recom- mend a fee structure that the PRB would then use in making a recommendation to Council. This subcommittee met diligently, reviewed much information and presented its final recommendations to the PRB. The PRB discussed this final proposal at a meeting during which several members voiced concern that the resident fees were too high and the non-resident fees were too low. The proposal was nonetheless approved and forwarded to Council. As Council took up the proposal, many residents, and some Council members, expressed concern that the resident fees were too high. Additionally, no decision had been made about the long-standing policy of allowing seniors free access to the pool and weight room, so Council asked the Senior Services Board (SSB) to review this policy and make a recommen- dation. Before the next Council meeting, in response to the communications of many residents, including PRB members, City staff prepared analyses of various revenue projections: (1) with resident membership and walk-in fees as proposed; (2) with a 50% reduction in resident fees; and (3) with no resident fees. At the next meeting, following the SSB's recommendation, Council voted to con- tinue the policy of allowing seniors free access (36 held passes in 2009) and to include disabled residents under 65 (23 in 2009). Council also approved a 50% reduction in resident fees for the first year. Hopefully, robust resident participation will allow discounted resident fees to continue. Guided by the staff and greatly influenced by this public "voice," Council made better decisions. Keep talking and the process will work. Community Message Board Want to know what's going on in your city? Get City News by Email Get News Alerts by Email Get Text Message Alerts SIGN UP FOR ALERTS! Did you know that the City provides an easy way to keep up-to-date on the latest changes to City services? It is easy to use-just visit www.westu.org and click the link "Get City News by Email" The best part of this service is that you can select the information you want to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time. By subscribing, you will be kept up- to-date on City emergencies, changes to services, such as garbage and recycling collection, and (if you desire) agendas for City Council and board meetings. City Phone Numbers Emergency - Police & Fire: 91 1 Police Dept. Non-emergency: (713)668-0330 General City Information: (713) 668-4441 Building Permits: (713) 662-5833 Code Enforcement: (713) 662-5831 Colonial Park Pool: (713)662-5383 Community Building: (713) 662-5892 Direct Link Alarm Monitoring: (713) 662-5860 Fire Dept. Non-emergency: (713) 662-5835 Friends of West U Parks: (713)662-5396 2010 Garbage I Recycling Holiday Schedule Good Friday, Friday, April 2: No curbside collection; normal collection will resume on your next scheduled day. Memorial Day, Monday, May 31: No curbside collection; normal collection will resume on your next scheduled day. Independence Day (Observed), Monday, July 5: No curbside collection; normal collection will resume on your next scheduled day. Labor Day, Monday, September 6: No curbside collection; normal collection will resume on your next scheduled day. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25: No curbside collection; garbage regularly scheduled for pickup on this day will he picked up on Friday, November 26. Please hold your recyclables until your next scheduled day. Day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 26: Normal collection of garbage and recyclables; City offices will be closed. Additional Christmas Holiday, Thursday, December 23: Normal collection of garbage and recyclables; City offices will be closed. Christmas Day (Observed), Friday, December 24: No curbside collection; garbage regularly 5 scheduled for pickup on this day will be picked up on Monday, December 27. Please hold your recyclables until your next scheduled day. New Near's Day (Observed), Friday, December 31: No curbside collection; garbage regularly scheduled for pickup on this day will be picked up on Monday, January 3. Please hold your recyclables until your next scheduled day. Municipal Court: (7 13) 662-5825 Planning Department: (713) 662-5843 Police Dept. Crime Prevention: (713) 662-5869 Public Works Information: I (713) 662-5839 Senior Services: (713) 662-5895 ~~R¢ENTs Urban Forestry: (713) 662-5313 Utility Billing: (713) 662-5809 Currents SAVE THE DAY WITH FREE SHREDDING! 2010 13 When: Saturday, May 1 Time: 9:00 AM - Noon Where: West U's RecyclExpress 5004 Dincans (off of Westpark, west of Kirby) Limit: 5 Banker Boxes No business shredding t yourself from Identity Theft with document shredding provided by D IT and the CITY OF WEST U. HEAVY TRASH DAY! When: Saturday, April 24 Time: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Where: 3826 Milton (West U Public Works Facility) Here is your chance to dispose of those unwanted items in your home at no charge. We will take most items, EXCEPT for Household Hazardous Waste. To learn more, please visit the City's website at www.westu.org and click the Solid Waste link. Currents Sorina 2010 Parks & Recreation Friends Guild Broadens Reach: New Opportunities Abound In case you missed the news last fall, the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc. and West University Parks & Recreation Department have formed a partnership called West University Friends & Neighbors Guild. This organization, formerly called the Friends Guild, now has a broader scope: to promote community throughout all of West University. There are many new benefits to participating in the Guild. In addition to pursuing volunteerism and social opportunities, members now may join recreational groups that include a play group for their children, a bunko group, a tennis club or a book club. The Guild meets four times during the school year. Meetings are hosted at private West U homes and, occasionally, in community buildings. All West University and Southside Place residents are warmly invited to join the West University Friends & Neighbors Guild. As a member, you can help shape the activities and programs in the community and get up-to-date information on what is happening in West U. Cinco de Mama Wednesday, May 5 7:30 - 10:30 PM 6505 Rutgers $50 a person (attendance: 40+) Come celebrate the Fifth of May the "Mama" way, at a party by moms for moms. Join us for margaritas and great food shared with old friends and new. There will be a pinata - with mom-style prizes inside! All proceeds benefit the Friends of West University Parks Place Fund, Inc. Donors: Stephanie Davis, Sue Jensen, Beth Lane, Carrie Lium, Robin McGowan, Jenny Saphier, Adrienne Vanderbloemen and Kelli Walsh. Crawfish Boil New Orleans Style - A Friends of West U Parks Sociable Saturday, April 17 7:00 - 11:00 PM 4110 Riley $50 a person (limit 150, waiting list available) "Spice up your spring! Our Louisiana hosts show how it's done. We're throwing a crawfish boil with New Orleans style fun!" The food will be plentiful, and the drinks will be flowing, so sign up today, and let's get this Cajun party going! All proceeds benefit the Friends of West University Parks Place Fund, Inc. Hosts: Michelle and Wayne Bunch, Marc and Donna LaMond, Cheryl and Dennis Butler, JoAnn and Charles Philpott, Mark and Lynette Cone, Leah and Steve Ragiel, Vicki and Dana Grams, Rhett and Peyton Ross, Kari and Todd Greenwalt, Jeanne and Chris St. Paul, Gary and Sue Hanna, Nancy and Andy Talkington, Sherri and Steve Hughey, and Kristin and Chris Wallis. Friends of West U Parks continues to raise funds to keep our parks sparkling. Park Lovers' Crystal Ball was held at the Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Hotel on Saturday, February 27. Co-chairs Jennifer Gatto, Daryl Hoover, and Kara Samples surprised guests with sparkling decorations, a wine pull, mimers, blinking rings and dazzling black and white decor in addition to an outstanding live and silent auction items and Big Board trips, jewelry and parties. 450 Friends supporters attended the highly- anticipated 19th annual event. The proceeds from the event will go towards a new play- ground at the West University Place Recreation Center sched- uled for a grand opening on April 12, 2010. Pictured left to right are Mr. & Mrs. Marshall and Ruthann Clinkscales and Mayor Bob Kelly and Linda Kelly. Currents Spring 2010 15 Activities & Events Open House Saturday, April 10, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday, April 11, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM The Parks and Recreation Department will host a free public open house in the lobby of the West University Place Recreation Center at 4210 Bellaire Blvd. Tours will be given of the new facility until 5:00 PM. West University Place Recreation Center Fees & Hours Walk-in Fees Daily Walk-in Resident $4 *Daily Walk-in Non-Resident $16 Youth Public Swim Resident $2.50 *Daily Walk-in Non-Resident $10 *Must be accompanied by a West U Resident *Hours of Operation Monday - Friday 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM Saturday 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Note: Pool closes one half hour earlier than facility. 'Schedule is subject to change Colonial Park Pool Grand Opening Saturday, May 29 - 31, 2010 Please visit www.westu.org for more information. Colonial Park Pool Fees & Hours Walk-in Fees Daily Walk-in Resident $2.50 *Daily Walk-in Non-Resident $5 *Must be accompanied by a West U Resident SENIOR SERVICES FREE Meditation Class Dates and Time TBD Learn how meditation helps us cope with difficulties and prosper despite the stresses of everyday life. During the six-week pro- gram, we will learn new meditation tech- niques such as diaphragmatic breathing, body scan, mantras and compassion; we will also do a mindfulness exercise. Space is limited, so if you are interested, please register early. Residents will be given first priority. Resident Memberships Resident Memberships Water Aerobics -Low Impact Individual Annual $180 ICoundividpleual SSeasoneason Pass Pass s $ $62.50 Monday and Wednesday, 11:15 AM -Noon Couple Annual $240 Family Season Pass $150 West U Recreation Center, 4210 Bellaire, Family Annual $300 $45 monthly fee Note: City Council has discounted resident fees by Member Racquetball Reservation Privileges 5016 for the inaugural season, from Saturday, May 29, "Add on" to memberships $120 through the Sunday immediately before HISD resumes; the discounted lees are reflected above. Member Tennis Reservation Privileges "Add on" to memberships $120 Hours of Operation - Public Swim Non-Member Tennis Reservation Privileges Separate from memberships $180 R, $270 NR Walk-in tennis reservations (1'/2 hour) $4 R, $8 NR Thursday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Monday 4.00 PM - 8.30 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Note: City Council has discounted resident fees by 5001o for the inaugural season, from Monday, April 12, through Friday, December 31; the discounted fees are reflected above. Party on the Patio Fridays, June 4, 11, 18 and 25, 7:00 - 9:00 PM Colonial Park Deck, 4130 Byron The Village/Southwest News is sponsor- ing a FREE concert series on Friday nights, beginning June 4. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, then sit back as you enjoy a fantastic lineup with some of Houston's best-known bands. Ezra Charles and the Works, along with other favorites, will return. Please visit the Parks & Recreation Special Events page on the website at www.westu.org for a complete schedule. Registration for Summer Swim Lessons, Summer Camps, and Recreation Classes Going On Now! For a complete listing of activities, please visit the Parks & Recreation page on the website at www.westu.org or contact the Parks Department at (713) 662-5892. Friday 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM Music Under the Stars Outdoor Classical Concert Series April 9: River Oaks Chamber Orchestra April 16: Texas Brass April 23: Zeger Strings Colonial Park, 6:30 - 9:30 PM Join us on Friday evenings in April, when you will be entertained by some of the finest classical ensembles in the Houston area. For more information call (713) 662-5384 or go to www.westu.org. Second Saturday Concerts Houston Folklore ! Music Society April 10: Rhett Butler May 8: Jack Handy June 12: TBD Community Building, 6104 Auden, 7:30 PM Tickets to these concerts of acoustic, folk or bluegrass music are sold at the door: adults $12, senior citizens (65+) $8 and children under 12 free with adults. Visit www.houstonfolkmusic.org for information on performers. Class will begin as soon as eight individu- als are interested and have paid. Although classes are at the West U Recreation Center, registration is done at Senior Services. Non-swimmers are welcomed and encouraged. The class begins in the shal- low end with dumbbells, and then moves into the deep end with a water belt (depend- ing on the skill level and comfort of par- ticipants). Please bring any equipment you might have, or you may purchase what you need from the instructor at the first class. Second Time Around Fashion Show Friday, June 11, 1:30 PM, Free Come enjoy the splendor of our third annual Fashion Show. At least one item worn by models must be purchased at a second- hand store or garage sale, or must be a hand-me-down. This is an event not to miss. Father's Day Concert with the Houston Concert Band Sunday, June 20, 2:00 PM, Free Come listen to some wonderful music in celebration of Father's Day Wal-Mart Shopping Trip Wednesdays, June 23 and August 18, 9:00 AM, Free Residents only are welcome to join us for a day of shopping. Pick up those items not easily found at the grocery store. Call if you would like to be picked up at your home. City Currents Spring 2010 -u 41, 1 C S" a fe, ty Crime Prevention Hurricane Season Is Approaching: Springtime is here! After the winter we have expe- Some Essentials You May Need to Weather a Storm rienced, you might be ready for spring cleaning, doing some yard work or taking a spring break to ~`l get out of town. But remember: the bad guys don't At the beginning of hurricane season, stockpile at least three days' worth of nonperishable take breaks; they are ready for you to be distracted food items and bottled water for you and your family. Figure on each person requiring so they can take your property! Here are a few one gallon of water per day, and opt for foods that require no refrigeration or cooking. things to remember. Granola bars, power bars, peanut butter, crackers, and canned fruits, vegetables and meat 1. Close and lock your doors and windows when are smart choices because they'll provide you with a little variety, but won't run the risk you leave the house, even though you are just of spoiling. Keeping disposable cups, dishes and utensils on hand is also a good idea, so stepping out to the store or will only be away you'll always have clean eating utensils, even if you're unable to wash dishes. for a short time. If you've remodeled one of the older bungalow homes and left the older doors in place, you may want to consider installing new locks. Limit how far your windows can be Before the storm hits, make sure that you are adequately stocked up on both personal opened by utilizing dowels or stops. Crime and household cleaning supplies, like alcohol-based hand sanitizer, soaps and liquid prevention security surveys are available detergents, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, disinfectant, chlorine bleach and plenty from a City of West University Place Police of heavy-duty garbage bags. Department security inspector. While you are out, give your home an occupied look by leaving 6 l~ the television, radio or lights on (you might Be ready for everything from cuts and scrapes to sprains and insect bites by having a fully consider automatic timers). loaded first aid kit on hand. Must-have items include adhesive bandages, gauze, medical 2. Take the following precautions when you leave tape, tweezers, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment, burn gel, hydrocortisone cream and your car: even wrap-style bandages to provide support for injured ankles or wrists. Don't leave cars open, unlocked or running: always roll up the windows and lock the car, even when you are away from it "for just a minute." Never leave valuables in plain view, even if you lock your car. Take them out if you don't need them in the car, or at least put them in your trunk. Never leave personal items, such as purses or anything holding personal documentation and credit cards, in your car, even if you're going to be away for "just a minute." Take them with you! If you do not already have one, install a vehicle security alarm system. If you have one, use it! When a car alarm goes off, it brings attention to the criminal. Park your car in your driveway, rather than on the street. If your driveway has a security gate, park your car behind the gate. The best, of course, is to park your car inside the garage, keeping the garage door down and the exterior access doors to the garage locked. 3. Secure your lawnmowers, weed eaters, ladders and other lawn and gardening tools in your garage or storage shed. If you or a family member is living with a health condition that requires daily prescrip- tion medication, make sure that you have enough doses on hand to last through the storm and up to a week of possible pharmacy downtime afterward. Also, remember to check your supply of occasionally used medicines like asthma inhalers, antihistamines and pain relievers/fever reducers; having an adequate supply of these can help prevent minor medical issues from becoming serious. a a, A The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a U.S. agency that monitors climate and issues daily weather forecasts and severe storm warnings via NWR a nationwide network of radio stations. Staying on top of the latest information is essen- tial to storm safety, so equip your home with an Emergency Alert Radio. Also, the City of West University Place has instituted a CodeRED Rapid Emergency Notification System - a high-speed telephone communication service capable of delivering emergency notifications to your home phone, cell phone and email. This system is for all West U residents and businesses. If you have not already done so, sign up for the CodeRED system at www.westu.org. As soon as the power goes out, the first thing you'll be reaching for is a flashlight, so make sure to have several on hand, with extra batteries, to cover all (or at least most) of the members of your household. 4. If you are working outside and you move to the back yard, lock your front door and close up It doesn't matter if both electrical and land-based phone lines are down - communication your garage. is one thing you can't do without during and after a hurricane. While most people these Remember, crime prevention is as much your days have the luxury of just picking up their cell phones, you need to make sure that responsibility as it is the responsibility of your your phone battery remains strong even when you can't recharge it from a wall outlet. police department. Protect your property; don't Battery-powered universal chargers can be lifesavers during power outages; some have give it away. the ability to deliver up to two hours of talk time from a single AA battery. For additional information 3814 University Blvd. Contact Sergeant A. E. Gomez WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE POLICE DEPT. West University Place,Texas 77005 (713) 662-5869 or agomez(i_~),westu.org Public Works Household Hazards Waste Disposal Location to Change for West U The disposal of household hazardous waste (HHW) is an issue few agencies want to tackle. Through a cooperative agreement with Harris County and the City of Houston, West U residents have been using the City of Houston's Environmental Service Center at I 1500 South Post Oak to dispose of HHW. They just had to call or email the County to request a voucher, and the County would cover the cost. For West U and other residents outside of the City of Houston, this will soon change. Harris County is opening a new HHW disposal facility at 6900 N. Gessner Road (N. Gessner at 290). Once it opens, West U residents will need to use this facility instead of the one on South Post Oak. The County is awaiting its permits from the State of Texas, so the opening date of the facility has not been set, but it should be operational in the next few months. Once the facility receives its permits and becomes operational, non-Houston residents will be directed to the new facility on Gessner. You will no longer need to request a voucher, but you will need to show a photo ID and give a phone number. For further information on Harris County's new HHW facility, please visit www.cleanwater-ways.org. Paints and Solvents: Latex paint, oil-based paint, fiirniture strippers, pain thinners, etc. Lawn Care Chemicals: Fertilizers, pesticides, pool chemicals, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc. Cleaning Products: Bleach or products containing bleach, ammonia or an based products, all-purpose cleaners, furniture polish, spot removers, scourir powder, oven cleaner, bathroom cleaners, bug spray, etc. Automotive Products: Motor oil, oil filters, gasoline, antifreeze, lubricants car batteries, brake fluid, transmission fluid, car wax, metal polish, etc. NOTE: The disposal facility does not accept radioactive waste, medical was explosive materials, electronics, or tires. Currents Spring 2010 Water Wise Patrick Walters, Operations Superintendent Spring has arrived with projections for another hot summer on the Texas Gulf Coast. The Water Conservation Plan adopted by West U includes a drought contingency plan to aid in the preven- tion of water shortages. During the drought in 2009, we were able to avoid mandatory water rationing by reducing our water demand, thanks to our residents' response to the City's request for voluntary water conservation. Please consider the following water conservation tips: 1. Repair leaks promptly. 2. If you hear water running within your home, contact a plumber to identify the source of the noise. 3. Frequently check your automatic irrigation system for leaks. Run the system through its cycles and walk around the yard, looking for water bubbling from pipes rather than spraying from the sprinkler heads. 4. Install soil moisture or rain sensors to keep your automatic irrigation system from watering unnecessarily. 5. Plant new landscaping that is drought tolerant. 6. If you see water leaks on the street that you feel may be the City's responsibility, please contact us immediately at (713) 662-5839; after business hours, contact the Police Dispatcher at (713) 662-5850. In an effort to help the City reduce high peak flows, currently occurring on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 5:00 AM and 10:00 Ant during dry weather, please adjust your irrigation systems to water on the specified days: • Odd-Numbered Addresses -Water on any of these days: Monday, Wednesday or Friday. • Even-Numbered Addresses -Water on any of these days: Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. By watering on these days, you will help us main- tain a balanced water flow through the City. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure that everyone's water demands are met. 7 RRENTS A Newsletter for the citizens of West University Place Spring 2010 CITY OF WEST U OFFICIALS CRY COUNCIL Mayor Bob Kelly MEMBERS Mayor Pro Tem Bob Fry George Boehme Chuck Guffey Steven Segal CITY Michael Ross (713) 662-5810 MANAGER or mross(a?westu.org GENERAL (713) 668-4441 INFORMATION CITY WEBSITE www.westu.org City Currents is a quarterly publication and is printed on recycled paper. 8 Citv Currents Sarina 2010 We in the Development Services Department answer this question all the time, and all too often we provide the answer after construction has begun without the required permits, which means work stops and permit fees go up. Here is a partial list of work requiring a permit (other construction not listed may need permits). If this doesn't address your particular question, please call Building Services at (713) 662-5834. Any item meeting the zoning definition of a "structure" requires a permit: Structure: Anything made by humans which: (i) is not readily portable; (ii) is usually left in one location for an indefinite period of time; or (iii) requires either permanent or fixed location on or in the ground or attachment to something having a permanent or fixed location on or in the ground for its use. Examples of structures, which do not limit this definition, are: sculptures; lampposts; sidewalks; driveways; playground equipment and facilities; buildings; flagpoles; antennas; and pools. A canopy or similar object designed or used to shelter a motor vehicle, a boat or similarly sized items is deemed to be a structure if it remains in substantially the same place for more than ten days, regardless of whether it is readily portable, frequently moved or unattached. IF IN DOUBT, CALL US. City of West University Place 3800 University Boulevard West University Place, Texas 77005 YES, You Need a Permit PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOUSTON, TX PERMIT NO. 134 New Fence New Roof New/ Replacement New / Replacement Replace more than. Replace more than ;>_00 Windows Water Heater 10 feet of an existing square feet of an exist- Includes any type. fence. Change a fence's ing roof. height or location New Electrical Work New / Replacement New / Replacement Bathroom Additions Relocate existing A/C Unit or Furnace Electrical Service InClUdes whirlpool i electrical wiring. Includes coils, Or breaker panel. tubs, saunas and condensers and ducts. showers. New Plumbing Relocation of Outdoor Kitchens Pouring / Placing Except replacement Existing Plumbing ! Concrete fixtures in the same j Includes driveways, location. sidewalks and retaining or landscaping walls. Lawn Irrigation Fountains Pool / Spa Walls System Any wall over 6 inches high from front 1 side yards. Decks and Patios Porches Gazebos Awnings Includes wood, pavers, stone and concrete. Removing or New Openings Kitchen Countertops Any New Relocating Walls, Installed in inside or Where additional length Construction Doors and Windows outside malls. is added. Any New Additions Any Demolition Generators Solar Panels Drainage Systems Playground Equipment If not easily movable by hand. Commercial Commercial Signs Siding Occupancy Build-out