TxDOT Houston District
Prepares For Freeze
Posted: Thursday, January 6, 2010
On Wednesday,
starting at 9:00 a.m., TxDOT maintenance crews in Harris, Brazoria,
Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery and Waller Counties will be
spraying a magnesium chloride solution on elevated structures to
prevent any moisture accumulation from freezing. Below is a list of
locations. All TXDOT crews will be escorted by law enforcement.
Motorists should use caution driving on
Wednesday while TXDOT crews and equipment safely spray the magnesium
chloride; watch for the caution signs and give workers plenty of
room.
Crews are also in the process of preparing
sanding trucks should they be needed Thursday night. Aggregate will be
spread on TXDOT roads only if actual conditions require it.
At this time, there are no plans to stop any on-going TXDOT road
construction, lane closures, etc. Any existing road restrictions or
those planned for construction in the next few days will continue.
Citizens can check the state roadway conditions by calling (800)
452-9292 and stay tuned to local news broadcasts for more information on
roadway and weather conditions.
The
following information can help motorists drive safely when winter
weather strikes:
-
Check the state roadway conditions
by calling (800) 452-9292 and stay tuned to local news
broadcasts for more information on roadway and weather
conditions.
-
Approach bridges, shaded spots,
overpasses and turns slowly.
-
Accelerate slowly and increase your
following distance.
-
Brake gently in slow, steady
strokes to see how much traction you have, and begin braking
early when approaching intersections or stops.
-
Use non-freezing windshield washer
liquid.
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Permit Required To Retain Temporary Housing Trailers
Posted: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The City Council of the City
of Shoreacres has enacted an Ordinance (Number 2010-58) to allow some
temporary housing units to remain after the March 31 deadline for
removal.
[Permit
Application]
ORDINANCE NUMBER
2010-58
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; PROVIDING FOR THE
CONTINUATION OF TEMPORARY HOUSING ON RESIDENTIAL LOTS; PROVIDING FOR
APPLICATIONS, APPROVAL AND PERMITS; AND, SUSPENDING RULES, REGULATIONS,
AND ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AN ORDINANCE DECLARING AN EMERGENCY;
PROVIDING FOR THE CONTINUATION OF TEMPORARY HOUSING ON RESIDENTIAL LOTS;
AND, SUSPENDING RULES, REGULATIONS, AND ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SHOREACRES, STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The City Council officially
finds, determines, and declares that a public emergency exists as the
result of catastrophic damage inflicted widely upon the city by
Hurricane Ike.
SECTION 2. Temporary housing. The
owner of a dwelling that was rendered uninhabitable as the result of
damage caused by hurricane Ike on or about September 13, 2008, may place
one (1) motor home; one (1) travel trailer; or, one (1) temporary
housing unit provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
on the same residential lot for the purpose of temporary housing during
construction, reconstruction, or repair of the damaged habitation. All
connections to utilities shall be in compliance with applicable codes
and are further subject to approval by, or additional requirements of,
the Building Official. Such temporary housing must be located no closer
than five (5) feet from side or back property lines and may be placed in
part or whole in front of the front building set back line up to the
front property line. The temporary housing may not however extend beyond
the property line into the public right of way. No internal combustion
engine powered generator shall be used to provide electrical service to
the temporary housing when commercial electrical service is available.
Each trailer or motor home used as temporary housing must be equipped
with a minimum of one (1) readily accessible 5# ABC fire extinguisher
and a battery operated smoke detector in working condition mounted in
compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
SECTION 3. Permit required. After
March 31, 2010, it shall be unlawful for any person, without a valid
permit to occupy temporary housing (motor home, travel trailer, or FEMA
housing unit) on any residential lot; or, allow temporary housing (motor
home, travel trailer, or FEMA housing unit) to be placed on or remain on
any residential lot they own, lease, occupy, or otherwise exercise legal
control over.
SECTION 4. Permit eligibility.
Eligible temporary housing applicants must meet the following minimum
criteria:
(a)
have
owned the storm damaged dwelling on September 13, 2008,
(b)
have
continuously occupied the subject temporary housing since January 1,
2010, and
(c)
have a valid contract or other proof
of viable, timely and verifiable plan for repair and/or
reconstruction of the damaged dwelling at the time of application.
SECTION 5. Permit application.
The City Secretary shall prescribe an application that includes the
following information:
(a)
name
of applicant,
(b)
mailing address of applicant,
(c)
street
address of temporary housing proposed for permit,
(d)
ownership of real property where the temporary housing is located,
(e)
description of temporary housing,
(f)
ownership of temporary housing,
(g)
location of temporary housing on the lot,
(h)
statement of compliance with utility, setback and fire safety
requirements for temporary housing,
(i)
statement of temporary occupancy, and,
(j)
statement of plan and projected
completion date for repair or reconstruction of storm damaged
dwelling.
SECTION 6. Permit approval. The
City Council shall consider the approval or disapproval of applications
for temporary housing permits. Complete applications shall be considered
at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting following the fifth
day after receipt by the City Secretary. A permit approved by City
Council shall not become effective and valid until the applicant signs
an agreement to comply with the terms and conditions of the permit as
set forth by the City Council. Permits approved by City Council shall
establish terms and conditions of the permit including, but not limited
to, the following:
(a)
permit
expiration date,
(b)
location of temporary housing on the lot, and
(c)
periodic proof of progress toward
achieving repair or reconstruction of the storm damaged dwelling.
SECTION 7. Permit expiration or
cancellation. All permits issued under this ordinance shall expire
on the date provided in the permit; or, seven (7) days after the
temporary housing is no longer occupied, whichever occurs first.
SECTION 8. Penalty for violation.
Any person violating the provisions of this ordinance, upon conviction,
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to
$1,000.00 per day for each day of violation.
SECTION 9. The City Council officially
finds, determines, recites, and declares that a sufficient written
notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the City
Council was posted at a place convenient to the public at the City Hall
of the City for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as
required by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code;
and that this meeting has been open to the public as required by law at
all times during which this ordinance and the subject matter thereof has
been discussed, considered and formally acted upon. The City Council
further ratifies, approves and confirms such written notice and the
contents and posting thereof.
SECTION 10. This Ordinance shall be
effective from and after its passage and approval, and it is so ordered.
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