Quote:
Originally Posted by eschaton
Houston's densification is about as good as you can get considering Houston doesn't have traditional use-based zoning, but does have some level of form-based zoning which includes setbacks and parking minimums (and unfortunately, no requirement to build sidewalks).
Another issue is that - unfortunately - the city lacks alleys, which means there's no out-of-the-way place to stick the off-street parking. This is particularly the case because typically these mini-developments happen through the replacement of a few houses at a time (with say three new houses where one suburban home used to be) meaning master-planning is impossible.
But given the limitations, somewhere like this is becoming pretty close to a rowhouse neighborhood.
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This is your link at street level - I just grabbed a couple points at random.
https://goo.gl/maps/28BwpCZZM65N4zyaA
https://goo.gl/maps/PqTtF49XZkbyePYN6
A mix along with bungalows, sometimes no sidewalks, drainage ditches - a hodgepodge overall - opposite of a row house neighborhood. Some complaints are that the townhomes often replace sfh 2 to 1 on the same lot, and take away all on-street parking from the neighborhood because of their driveways. No front yards, no "neighborhood" really on some streets that are all townhomes, people drive in and shut the door, no need to see neighbors. Only row house similarity is a postage stamp sized back yard.
But, it is what it is and they are popular among people that want a "house" and can't afford a "real" home with a yard in these inner loop neighborhoods. I know several people that bought these, mainly because they are "new" (ie no maintenance), centrally located, and relatively low cost for inside the loop. Just the land costs in these areas is around 75 to 150/sf, so for many these are the only options.