Neighborhood Quality
Why This Is Important

With the availability of open land and our close proximity to Houston and two major airports, we will see significant residential development in the coming years. This offers an opportunity for us to prepare for that development in a way that establishes a high standard of quality for our neighborhoods. This includes things like sidewalks, street widths, setbacks and construction standards. For existing neighborhoods, it will include things like code enforcement.
Status Indicators - Outcome Measures
 On Target: Performance Exceeds Benchmark
 Caution: Performance Within 5% of Benchmark OR Showing Improvement From Base Year (2016)
 Off Target: Performance Declining OR Static From Base Year (2016)
Status Indicators - Initiatives & Strategies
    Completed: Strategy has been fully implemented
    In Progress: Implementation of this strategy has begun but is not complete to-date
    Not Started: Work on this strategy has not started
Outcome Measures
Strategies
Initiatives Strategies
Improve and nurture neighborhood quality by ensuring that policies and zoning support neighborhood health and safety. (YR 2)
Align the Future Land Use Plan with the Zoning map.
Examine possible industry/residential interfaces and proactively rezone to lessen the impacts on future/current residential development.
Support an area plan for Bayway (i.e. "Bayside District").
Implement strategies that continue to enhance community engagement in Baytown. (YR 3)
Increase Police Department involvement with area Neighborhood Watch groups.
Identify ways to better engage with existing HOAs.
Identify ways to engage with neighborhoods that do not have HOAs.
Continue efforts to improve compliance with City codes. (YR 3)
Provide better education to residents about City codes and the importance of compliance.
Provide support through volunteerism for those who are unable to correct violations on their own.
Provide more resources for code enforcement.
Conduct discussions with Harris & Chambers County regarding the development of partnerships to address blighted areas that are just outside City limits.
Bolster Animal Control policies and programs that protect people in an effective and humane manner. (YR 2)
Continue organizational realignment of Animal Control to provide a veterinarian/manager.
Begin the first phase of the Animal Control facility upgrade.
Augment Animal Control Officer deployment to potentially include evenings.
Stiffen penalties for loose/stray animals along with an educational component for residents about this change.
Increase vibrancy and citizen engagement in neighborhoods and in our general community. (YR 4)
Pilot a program or neighborhood coordination and engagement.
Allow neighborhoods and citizen groups to partner with the City to present special micro events.
Continue to support current events and add new events to celebrate our cultural heritage, history, and increase general enjoyment of Town Square, i.e. - Black History Month, Grito, Caribbean Festival, Juneteenth, Mardi Gras, Bluegrass/Folk Music Festival, etc.
Develop and enhance programs and policies that facilitate private investment and protect neighborhoods. (YR 4)
Further streamline processes for smaller home projects/permits. Review whether deregulation is an option.
Engage a broker to market City-controlled vacant properties (YR4).
Use statutory latitude and creativity in developing solutions for the development of older buildings. Primary need is to effectively market program for older and vacant building redevelopment and use, making maximum use of empowerment zones and current programs.
Bolster a sense of safety and well-being within neighborhoods. (YR 4)
Continue proactive code enforcement with consideration of additional LLC measures.
Augment police presence in and patrol of neighborhoods.
Continue to bolster animal control program, with emphasis on decreasing strays on streets. Consider elevated penalties associated with multiple offenders.
Continue to address lighting deficiencies throughout community. Test the feasibility of solar street light integration.
Accomplishments
Initiatives Strategies
Continue monitoring and implementing code enforcement program
Continue proactive code enforcement.
Expand city codes addressing aesthetics, as appropriate and needed.
Annually report code enforcement activities to City Council.
Partner to strengthen neighborhoods and address challenges. (YR 1)
Aggressively address graffiti in a timely manner.
Create a neighborhood outreach team that works to build relationships with neighborhoods.
Participate in the United Way initiative to assess and provide solutions to the homelessness issue in Baytown (YR 1).
Invest in neighborhood aesthetic quality. (YR 1)
Collaborate with industry and other partners to plant trees.
Implement a tree ordinance to discourage deforestation (YR 1).
Enable residents to comply with building maintenance (paint) by connecting them to “Operation Paintbrush” and other CDBG related resources.
Assess older neighborhoods for missing/damaged sidewalks and begin installing or replacing damaged sections.
Develop and implement code enforcement strategies that support neighborhood quality. (YR 2)
Revisit and research options to strengthen existing code to include elevated standards for shuttered/abandoned buildings.
Provide Neighborhood Protection Officer (NPO) coverage in the evening focused on yard parking, junk cars, and general property issues.
Aggressively address and enforce standards and violations of existing and future multi-family facilities that are near neighborhoods.
Implement measures to enhance neighborhood beauty and livability. (YR 2)
Provide streetscaping improvements in older areas of town (example: Bayway Drive, Market Street, South Main, Ward Road, etc.).
Continue neighborhood park and playground upgrades.
Continue to improve neighborhood lighting, specifically with LED lights.
Ensure future development provides enhanced streets, setbacks, and deeper driveways.
Continue the installation of uniform, new street signage.
Enhance neighborhood and citizen engagement. (YR 2)
Create a Volunteer/Neighborhood Coordinator position and program to facilitate citizen and business engagement in enhancing community safety and quality.