Tag: Matthew Festa

Full Show

Zoning By Other Means, and Another Genius Grant: Houston Matters Weekend for Nov. 19, 2016

Posted on · Much is made about Houston's lack of zoning. But Matthew Festa, a law professor from South Texas College of Law Houston, argues Houston doesn't really look that different from most other cities. On this edition of Houston Matters Weekend, we talk with Festa, and others around town, about whether a variety of land rules, regulations […]

Houston Matters

Court Overturns Damages Ruling in Ashby High-Rise Case: What It Means for Homeowners and Developers

Posted on · Last week (June 30, 2016), a state appeals court overturned a ruling pertaining to the fight over the so-called Ashby high-rise, a proposed residential tower near Rice University that's been at the center of a conflict for several years. In 2013, a jury ruled that if the project were built, the developer — Buckhead Development […]

Houston Matters

Was the City of Beaumont Intentionally Trying to Restrict People with Disabilities from Living There?

Posted on · Earlier this month, the U.S. Justice Department announced that the City of Beaumont agreed to pay $475,000 and change its zoning and land use practices to resolve a lawsuit alleging it discriminated against people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who sought to live in small group homes in the city's residential neighborhoods. The settlement stems […]

Full Show

Fair Housing and Making a Murderer: Tuesday’s Show (May 17, 2016)

Posted on · Earlier this month, the U.S. Justice Department announced that the City of Beaumont agreed to pay $475,000 and change its zoning and land use practices to resolve a lawsuit alleging it discriminated against people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who sought to live in small group homes in the city's residential neighborhoods. The settlement stems […]

Houston Matters

Does Houston Really Have Zoning — Just By Other Means?

Posted on · Much is made about Houston’s lack of zoning. But Matthew Festa, a law professor from South Texas College of Law, argues Houston doesn’t really look that different from most other cities. We talk with Festa about whether a variety of land rules, regulations and restrictions are essentially zoning by other means.

Full Show

Foster Care, Zoning, and Allergies: Wednesday’s Show (March 30, 2016)

Posted on · Last week (March 21, 2016), the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals denied an attempt by the Sttate of Texas to pause a revamp of its foster care system. That ruling leaves intact a December 2015 ruling by Judge Janis Graham Jack, who declared the system "broken" and unconstitutional. In ordering the overhaul, Judge Jack […]

Houston Matters

What Would UT Expansion in Houston Mean for Local Universities?

Posted on · Earlier this month, the University of Texas announced plans to buy land to build an ‘intellectual hub' here in Houston. The Houston Chronicle reported that UT Chancellor William McRaven wants the land to create a sort of collaboration and research center to bring new investment into Houston. However, the University of Houston is concerned that […]

Full Show

New Laws, New Houstonians, New Texans Coach: Houston Matters for Friday, Jan. 3, 2014

Posted on · It’s a new year, Houston. And that means some new federal, state and local laws have taken effect this week. We’ll learn about them as we talk with South Texas College of Law Professor Matthew Festa on this edition of Houston Matters. Also: we explore the year ahead in business in Houston with KUHF’s Andrew […]

Full Show

Houston Matters for Mon., Nov. 4, 2013

Posted on · It’s okay. You can admit it. You just now realized there’s an election tomorrow, and, well, you haven’t really been paying attention. Yeah, there have been the requisite ads on TV and the radio – you’ve been tuning them out. Look, we get it. You’ve been busy. And frankly, those political ads can wear you […]