Via Swamplot, it appears that one of the last pieces of business the city of Houston conducted before Ike arrived was to deny a variance request for the Ashby Highrise developers for a loading dock.

In comments for the Public Works and Engineering Department, city engineer Mark Loethen said the at-grade loading dock from Bissonnet Street will not be allowed because its use would obstruct lanes of traffic.

In his Sept. 4 comments, Loethen said the variance was rejected for the same reason, citing Sec. 40-86 of the code of ordinances.

"Such a driveway, as proposed, would excessively interfere with the normal use of the Bissonnet Street right of way," he said.

[...]

The project had been rejected for a fifth time June 24 and had only been resubmitted nine days prior to being denied again.

In the "I wish I had a camera phone" department, last week when I pulled into the Hot Bagel Shop parking lot for a morning fix, I saw a car with a bumper sticker that said "Start Ashby HIgh Rise". That's an under-represented opinion, to say the least. Anyone else seen anything like that?