Bellaire - Meyerland - West University | April 2026

BY SARAH BRAGER, ROO MOODY & ARIEL WORTHY

West U tree ordinance updated in split 32 vote West University Place ocials voted 3-2 to accept revisions to the city’s tree ordinance during a March 9 City Council meeting. Recommendations made by the public works department and an urban forestry consultant included replacing tree measurements with diame- ter instead of circumference, clarifying the deni- tion of protected trees and strengthening penalties. What’s changing The ordinance changes the denition of “large tree” by dening it as a tree with a stump that has a diameter of 6 inches or more. Previous measure- ments were to be done by circumference. The ordinance also strengthened penalties for up to $2,000 in nes for violations such as removing, damaging or intentionally killing trees. Another update further denes public nuisances, which, under the current law, must be abated. The update

Upgrades underway at Bellaire library The Bellaire City Library has recently started tagging more than 80,000 library books with a radio frequency identication, or RFID, device. Why it matters Library Director Chris Arrowood said the benets of RFID tagging include reduced wait times, faster inventory checks and real-time information queries. Next steps As of March 9, library sta and volunteers from the Friends of the Bellaire Library have started the process and predict the tagging of all the books to take 3-4 months, Communica- tions Director Cheryl Bright said. Once 50% of books are tagged, self-checkout kiosks and security gates will be installed. Hermann Park

Tree ordinance changes

• Trees will now be measured by diameter, not circumference • Violations of trees are now seen as a misdemeanor • City can now remove limbs overhanging a public right-of-way

Large tree: Dened as a tree with a stump that has a diameter of 6 inches or more

SOURCE: CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACECOMMUNITY IMPACT

denes public nuisances as limbs that overhang any portion of a right-of-way. The new changes cannot deny landowners a per- mit to remove a tree from their private property, but a permit is still required to remove or replace a tree. Stay tuned A second reading of the ordinance will need to take place before it is ocially amended.

Hermann Park acquisition by Harris Health greenlit

City property Ben Taub Hospital Hospital expansion Proposed land

CAMBRIDGE ST.

Houston Zoo

Following an hours-long March 19 public hearing, Harris County commissioners unanimously approved the acquisition of 8.9 acres of Hermann Park for the expansion of Ben Taub Hospital. The long-awaited vote comes after months of contention about whether or not Harris Health should acquire the land by eminent domain, which grants local governments the legal power to use land for public use.

What you need to know Commissioners authorized the condemnation March 19 after Harris Health ocials conrmed that no “feasible alternative” exists for the $410 million expansion of Ben Taub’s campus. Ocials expect to have legal possession of the land within 6-9 months and break ground on the project in late 2027. The new facility is expected to incorporate some park elements.

LAMAR FLEMING ST.

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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION