However, some developers claim that the ordinance places an unfair burden on the industry. Others support the measure in principle but were ?EUR??,,????'??concerned about some details.?EUR??,,????'??

?EUR??,,????'??We feel parks are both a public and a private responsibility. The majority of that burden is being shifted to the private sector under the proposed ordinance,?EUR??,,????'?? said Brian P. Austin, a board member of the Houston Apartment Association. Currently, Houston uses tax dollars mostly for operations and maintenance rather than land for parks.

Andy Icket, a deputy public works director, said the formula is consistent with other park set-aside laws; to ensure that as the population grows, it provides 10 acres of parks for each 1,000 new residents. He added that this is far short of the 25.5 acres recommended by the National Parks and Recreation Association.

The ordinance would apply to single-family residential, multi-family residential or mixed-use developments, but not to strictly commercial projects. The ordinance will also divide Houston into 17 geographic sectors, taking into account the geography and number of units; Diane Schenke, executive director of The Park People, a nonprofit advocacy group, said that this would help correct inequities in access to parks in various areas of Houston.

Councilwoman Ada Edwards asked Austin, the apartment developer, if the proposed ordinance would benefit developers in any way.

?EUR??,,????'??Ultimately,?EUR??,,????'?? Austin said, ?EUR??,,????'??the benefit would be that there are more parks in the city, and that would improve the quality of life.?EUR??,,????'??

Source: Houston Chronicle