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Call 281.476.2237 for information about emergency response incidents at member facilities and off-site transportation incidents (such as a tanker truck, rail car, pipeline, or marine vessel) that may impact Shoreacres or the surrounding community.

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CITY NEW BRIEFS: JULY 2009

Month

Shoreacres' Shorts Archive

Posted: Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Have you ever misplaced your city utility bill without reading the Shoreacres' Shorts on the back first? Don't despair! You can find (almost) all of the past issues right here.

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4th of July Holiday Schedule

Posted: Thursday, July 2, 2009

City Hall offices will be closed all day on July 3 in observance of Independence Day. No building inspections will be scheduled or made on Friday (7/3). No recycling collections will be made on Saturday (7/4). Routine trash collection will take place on Monday (7/6).

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Hurricane Ike Stress & Anger Workshops

Posted: Thursday, July 2, 2009

Last year Hurricane Ike took a big toll on our property and lives. We can easily recognize and deal with the physical damage, but the emotional damage may be much more difficult to repair.

The Houston Galveston Institute (HGI) would like to help. In cooperation with the City of Shoreacres HGI is holding a series of two-hour Hurricane Ike stress and anger workshops at City Hall.

6:30pm to 8:30pm - Tuesday, July 14 & 28, 2009

Come learn what you can do to help your family and yourself overcome the lingering affects of this traumatic event.

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Join Congressman Pete Olson For a Town Hall Meeting

Posted: Monday, July 6, 2009

Rep. Pete Olson will visit Pasadena on Saturday, July 11th to hold a town hall meeting. The Congressman will provide an update on recent activities in Congress involving NASA funding levels, “cap and trade” energy and health care proposals being discussed in Congress. The town hall meeting will also give him an opportunity to hear local concerns and answer any questions about federal issues.

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Location: San Jacinto College Central (Monte Blue Music Bldg, Rm 105) – 8060 Spencer Highway, Pasadena TX 77505

Contact: Tyler Nelson, (281) 486 -1095

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Aerial Photographs of Shoreacres: 1930 to 2008

Posted: Tuesday, July 7, 2009

A collection of nearly 100 aerial photographs of Shoreacres has been placed on the City's Flickr photo website. See the changes that occurred from 1930 to 1944 to 2007 before Ike to 2008 after Ike. You might be surprised to discover that the yacht club had an airport or that there were very few trees east of Highway 146. [more]

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City Launches e-Mail Newsletters & Special Bulletins

Posted: Wednesday, July 8, 2009

The City is pleased to offer another means of sharing information with the community. Anyone can now sign-up for Shoreacres newsletters and bulletins via the Internet. Subscribers can pick and choose between bi-weekly newsletters, more frequent news briefs, emergency bulletins, meeting notices, and special notices for lost & found pets. Selected mailings can be changed at anytime.

The city established a temporary e-mail list in 2005 during Hurricane Rita to keep residents informed about the status of the city and the storm impact. During Hurricane Ike in 2008 the city relied on the website to disseminate information. This hurricane season residents can avail themselves of both.

To subscribe visit the city's website www.CityofShoreacres.us.

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Hurricane Ike Stress Workshops

Posted: Thursday, July 15, 2009

Last year Hurricane Ike took a big toll on our property and lives. We can easily recognize and deal with the physical damage, but the emotional damage may be much more difficult to repair.

The Houston Galveston Institute (HGI) would like to help. In cooperation with the City of Shoreacres HGI is holding a series of two-hour Hurricane Ike stress and anger workshops at City Hall.

6:30pm to 8:30pm - Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Come learn what you can do to help your family and yourself overcome the lingering affects of this traumatic event.

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Stay Connected Texas: Ike Recovery Fair 
Posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2009

If you live in Harris County, have ongoing needs caused by Ike, and are not receiving rental help from a Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP), you can sign up for services at one of these Stay Connected Texas Ike Recovery Fairs:

La Porte Neighborhood Center, 526 San Jacinto
   Friday, July 24, noon to 7pm
   Saturday, July 25, 10am to 5pm

Cleveland-Ripley Neighborhood Center, 720 Fairmont Parkway

   Friday, July 31, noon to 7pm
   Saturday, August 1, 10am to 5pm

For more information call: 713.667.5853

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Protect Yourself With Flood Insurance
Posted: Thursday, July 23, 2009

Since standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that frequently impact the Texas.

Find out more about the National Flood Insurance Program and how it can help you protect yourself. [more]

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City Considers Changes to Zoning Regulations
Posted: Thursday, July 23, 2009

The Shoreacres Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, July 29, at 7:00pm at City Hall. In addition to the Public Hearing the meeting agenda includes discussion of fences, garages, and the maximum allowable height of houses.

Fence issues under consideration are height, placement between houses and the street, allowable distance from a street, and construction materials.

Garage issues under consideration include allowing full or partially unenclosed garages (parking under elevated houses) and requirements for garage doors.

Height considerations are generally a clarification of the current regulations.

The public is invited to attend and comment on these issues.

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Homeowners Disaster Recovery Program
Posted: Monday, July 27, 2009

For nearly a year we've all been waiting for housing repair and reconstruction grant funds to work through the federal and state bureaucracy. Finally we have an indication that some funding may arrive at the end of 2009.

Eligible applicants could receive money toward reconstruction, rehabilitation and/or elevation of their storm damaged home.

Applications will be processed directly by Harris County and not the City of Shoreacres.

During the first phase of the program assistance will only be available to the elderly (62+), disabled, and/or low-to-moderate income homeowners who received significant housing damage from Hurricane Ike. Eligible homeowners must also have owned and occupied the property as their primary residence at the time of the storm and remained the owner of the damaged property.

The Harris County Homeowners Disaster Recovery Program will not however release grant guidelines and other information about applying for assistance until October 2009.

Homeowners who want to request assistance will be required to wait until October. 

Applications for housing assistance will be received through Harris County's website, www.HarrisRecovery.org in October. Once applications are submitted another four weeks may be required before approval notification. No word yet on how long the wait for money may take after approval.

Check the www.HarrisRecovery.org website for updates. 

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Hurricane Ike Milestone Reached
Posted: Friday, July 31, 2009

This week the City of Shoreacres reached a post-hurricane milestone.

On July 29, 2009, the city issued the first Certificate of Occupancy for a new house built in place of a house destroyed by Hurricane Ike. Work began after the demolition permit was issued on December 8, 2008.

Following the impact of Hurricane Ike on September 13, 2008, the city determined that 79 houses were so damaged that they could not be repaired unless elevated to meet current flood prevention standards. During the last ten months 41 houses have been demolished. Today another eight have demolition permits. The city anticipates 90 or more houses may ultimately be demolished as a direct result of hurricane damage.

As of July 31, 2009, the City of Shoreacres has issued 284 Fast Track Building permits to repair flood damage; three permits to elevate houses; and nine new house construction permits. Several new homes are currently under construction and dozens more are expected to obtain permits for new homes in the next few months.

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City Council to Consider Restrictions
on the Use of Fill Dirt for Elevated Buildings
Posted: Friday, July 31, 2009

At their next regular meeting, Monday, August 10, the Shoreacres City Council will consider designating a flood surge hazard area and prohibiting the use of fill to raise the grade of any lot above the minimum required to achieve proper drainage in that area.

Under the staff proposal the city would designate the area east of Sunrise Drive to Galveston Bay as a flood surge hazard area.

Within that area the use of fill dirt would be restricted and could not be used to create a hill upon which to build a house or other building. 

[Draft of Proposed Revisions -  Subject to Change Without Notice]

SECTION 30-97.  BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE FLOOD SURGE HAZARD AREAS

The areas of flood surge hazard is hereby identified by the City of Shoreacres as the entirety of the area east of Sunrise Drive to the shoreline of Galveston Bay within the jurisdiction of the City of Shoreacres. The City Council finds and declares that the area set forth in this section was inundated by waters from tidal surge and hurricane wave wash on or about September 13, 2008.

SECTION 30-98.  FLOOD SURGE HAZARD AREAS

Located within the areas of flood surge hazard established in Section 30-97, are areas designated as Coastal High Hazard Areas (Zones V1-30, VE, and/or V) and special flood hazard areas (Zone AE) east of Sunrise Drive to the shoreline of Galveston Bay. These areas have flood surge hazards associated with waters from tidal surges and hurricane wave wash where the control of fill and grading may reduce flood damage; therefore, in addition to meeting all provisions outlined in this ordinance, the following provisions must also apply:

      (1) All new construction and substantial improvements in Coastal High Hazard Areas (Zones V1-30, VE, and/or V) shall be elevated on pilings and columns so that the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor (excluding the pilings or columns) is elevated to or above the base flood level plus one foot free-board.

      (2) All new construction and substantial improvements in special flood hazard areas (Zone AE) shall be elevated on pilings and columns so that the lowest floor is elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus one foot free-board.

      (3) Prohibit the use of fill for structural support of buildings.

      (4) Prohibit the use of fill to raise the grade of any lot above the minimum required to achieve proper drainage.

The public is invited to comment on proposed changes to the City's Flood Prevention Ordinance. This discussion is scheduled to appear on City Council agenda for Monday, August 10, 2009 at 7:00pm.

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