As the Heights continues to burst into bloom, I want to invite you back for one of our community’s newest traditions: the Heights Mahjong Tournament.
This event is more than just an evening of friendly competition; it is a vital fundraiser that allows the Houston Heights Association to maintain our local parks, support our historic fire station, and continue our work in the neighborhood.
🀄 2026 Mahjong Tournament
Get your tiles ready! We are returning to the tables for another evening of strategy and fun. Whether you are playing for the win or just for the company, we can't wait to see you there. Everyone is invited to join the fun!
When: Tuesday, May 12
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Historic Houston Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th Street
Entry Fee: $125
🛡️ May General Meeting: Protecting Our Community
Before we hit the game tables, please join us for our next General Meeting on Monday, May 11. We are happy to host Jessica Donahue, an expert in scam prevention, who will help us navigate the complexities of digital and identity fraud.
Socializing: 6:30pm | Meeting Starts: 7:00pm
Location: Historic Houston Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th Street
Jessica will discuss emerging threats and practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. In an age of sophisticated fraud, staying informed is our best defense.
🚓 Securing Our Streets: Heights Constable Patrol Program
Finally, I want to reiterate the importance of our Heights Constable Patrol Program. This deputy-led initiative is funded entirely by the residents who subscribe to it, ensuring a dedicated law enforcement presence in the Heights.
Thank you for your continued pride and participation in the Houston Heights. I look forward to seeing you at the Fire Station for our meeting on the 11th and for the Heights Mahjong Tournament on the 12th!
Warmly,
Katye
🀄 THE HEIGHTS MAHJONG TOURNAMENT 🀄
The Houston Heights Association, in partnership with That's aMAHJzing, invites you to an exciting evening of strategy, luck, and community! Join us on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:00pm at the Historic Houston Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th Street, for a fun-filled tournament open to players of all levels. Tickets are $125 and include drinks, light bites, and prizes for the top four winners. Proceeds benefit the Houston Heights Association and its ongoing work to preserve and enrich our neighborhood. Space is limited — click below to grab your spot before they're gone!
Join us for our next Houston Heights Association General Meeting featuring a timely presentation: "Scam-Proof: When Being Careful Isn't Enough!" — delivered by a neighbor who knows the tactics firsthand. Learn to identify four psychological scam tactics, spot AI and QR scams, and master a 30-second verification tool to protect yourself and your family. Food and drink provided, and everyone is invited! Meet us at the Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th Street. Click below to learn more!
Summer's around the corner and it's time to connect! Join us for the HHA Business Member Social on Wednesday, June 3 from 6:00pm–8:00pm at the Historic Houston Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th Street. Come meet fellow local business owners, share ideas, and get plugged into what's happening in the neighborhood. RSVP by May 29!
Houston is one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, and METRO is making sure you can get to every game and event without the stress of parking! Beginning June 7 through July 11, METRO will run extra service with more frequent routes connecting you directly to the Fan Fest and Houston Stadium (NRG). METRORail's Red Line links key destinations throughout the tournament, and residents are encouraged to take advantage of Park & Ride locations — park outside the loop and ride the system in to avoid heavier traffic. Houston will host seven FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches — don't miss a moment! For route maps, schedules, and everything you need to plan your ride, visit RideMETRO.org/FWC26.
Minimum Lot Size & Building Line Expirations in the Heights
If you live in the Houston Heights, you’ve likely heard neighbors talk about Minimum Lot Size and Building Line restrictions—but fewer people realize these protections don’t last forever unless we actively maintain them.
These rules are some of the most effective tools residents have to preserve the character of our neighborhood. Minimum lot size requirements help prevent lots from being subdivided into smaller parcels, while building line restrictions control how close new construction can be built to the street. Together, they help maintain the spacing, scale, and feel that make the Heights distinct.
Here’s the Catch…
Many of these restrictions come with expiration dates. When a restriction expires, the protections it provided can disappear quickly—sometimes without much notice beyond a mailed letter or public posting. That can open the door to developments that may not align with the existing look and feel of your block.
What You Can Do…
The good news is that renewals are typically straightforward. In most cases, renewing a minimum lot size or block line restriction involves:
Submitting a renewal application to the City of Houston
Meeting basic notice and documentation requirements
Attending planning commission and council meetings for final approval and/or addressing any objections to the renewal
Compared to trying to reinstate protections after they’ve lapsed, renewing ahead of time is far easier—and far more effective.
Stay Alert for Notices…
Be on the lookout for official notifications from the City of Houston regarding upcoming expirations. These may arrive by mail or be posted publicly. It’s easy to overlook them, but they are your window of opportunity to act.
If you receive a notice:
Don’t ignore it
Call the HHA or City of Houston Planning Department for assistance
Start the renewal process early
Why it Matters…
Once restrictions expire, developers may move quickly. Acting early ensures your block retains the character and protections that neighbors have come to value.
A little attention now can prevent major changes later.
Bottom Line…
Keep an eye out for expiration notices—and when they arrive, ACT! Renewals are the simplest and most effective way to protect your block from unwanted development. Also, if you do not have protection now either because they have expired or were never implemented on your block, contact the HHA Land Use Committee for more information on how to protect your block from sub-divided lots or commercial encroachment.
Heights neighbors, this one is close to home — literally! The City of Houston District C Runoff Election is on Saturday, May 16, with candidates Joe Panzarella and Nick Hellyar competing to fill the Council Member seat through January 2028. Your District C representative directly impacts the decisions that shape our neighborhood, so every single vote counts. Early voting is open now through Tuesday, May 12 from 7:00am–7:00pm — no need to wait until Election Day! Check your polling location at harrisvotes.com and make your voice heard. Click below for full election details!
The I ❤️ 11th Street Neighborhood Festival is back for 2026! Join us on Saturday, June 6 from 12:00–5:00pm at Regions Bank, 301 W. 11th Street for a celebration of food, music, art, shopping, and everything that makes our neighborhood special. Best of all — admission is free! Grab your tickets at ilove11th.org and we'll see you there!
Big news for our neighborhood — Houston has adopted its first-ever Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinance, and Heights residents should know what it means for our community. STR owners are now required to register with the City for $275 per property, provide a 24-hour emergency contact, and complete annual human trafficking awareness training. The city also has the power to revoke registration certificates for operators with repeated violations, noise complaints, or criminal activity by guests. If you have an STR neighbor causing problems, you can now log complaints directly with the City at houstontx.gov/ara/str.html. Click below to learn more about the new rules and your rights as a neighbor!
Help save lives at our next community blood drive on Tuesday, May 19 from 10:00am–2:15pm at the historic Houston Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th Street. Donate during the month of May and earn your stripes — every donor receives an exclusive "Stars, Stripes and Lifesaving Types" beach towel! Appointments are preferred — sign up at the link below. One donation can save up to three lives!
Congratulations to Katherine and Matt of 709 E. 14th Street! What was once a sunny lawn has been transformed over the years into a lush shady woodland garden, filled with violets, caladiums, ferns, and an ornamental maple — all framed beneath the dappled light of a magnificent fringe tree and oak. Click below to learn more!
Join us for our May 9th Garden Tour from 10:00–11:00am at the backyard of Bob and Cindy Wolfram at 4507 Apollo Street! Since moving to the neighborhood in 1998, the Wolframs have transformed their yard into a certified Natural Wildlife Habitat — complete with a water feature, an Italian fig, apple trees, blackberries, and carefully selected plants that support butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and migratory birds throughout the seasons. A plant list will be provided during your visit. Click below to learn more!
Susan Jackson Suzi & Mark Nuccio Wade Salazar Kelsey Bigelow Crag Simons Larry Gardner Ashvin Reddy Courtney Wentzler Carlos Mata Claire Alexander Laurian Cuba Nick Horodinca Andie Obermeyer Kelsey Boyd Michel Shanks Lisa Riley Christopher Jones Kim Bucholtz
Debra & Michael Loreman Ashvin Reddy Sarah Sneesby Keli Barnhart David Schwan Brittney Vora
Kelly Smith Brandon Whittle Cecilia Michell Jamie Gaspard Margie Dieter Martha & Jeff Brailas Ali Barron Ali Barron Kelly Glenn Jan Greer Gillian Crosby Matthew Hagen Kerri Reyer Chanelle Clerc Judith Zimmerman Amanda Ahr Henry Shine Les & Michele Cherwenuk Leslie Bush Mary Schoemann Ruth Ornelas Nancy Galante Christopher Carr
James P Long - Reimagine Donovan Park Michael Klausmeyer - Reimagine Donovan Park Gursaran Morrical - Reimagine Donovan Park Mark Covington - Reimagine Donovan Park Sarah Landau - Reimagine Donovan Park Charles Reynolds - Reimagine Donovan Park Genivieve Schexnayder - Reimagine Donovan Park Kathleen Crossett - Reimagine Donovan Park Brandon Huber - Reimagine Donovan Park Sanjay Bapat - Reimagine Donovan Park Fernanda Razo - Reimagine Donovan Park
Stay proactive about neighborhood safety by joining the 2026 Heights Constable Patrol Program, now available for $385 per household. Your support ensures continued dedicated security, as demonstrated by the 304 total beat activities recorded in April. This monthly output included 207 contract checks, 38 Meet the Citizen interactions, 8 vacation watches, and 8 stationary visibility patrols. By securing your subscription today, you directly fund the patrols and rapid response times that keep our community secure. Click below to sign up!
Register for the 2026 Heights Constable Patrol Program
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