Houston Triplex Build Advise Needed

[Patrick Ferraioli]

Hello all, 

I have a small infill lot in the Sawyer heights area of Houston I'd like to put three small front to back 3 story townhouse style units on. I've looked through the municipal codes and I can accommodate the parking requirements for what I'm looking to build. My lot is only 3000 sqft, but it has front and rear entry onto the lot so access for two garages with required setbacks is possible. 

I'm looking for recommendations on an experienced builder who can help with parsing through and understanding the other multifamily development requirements and variance rules to see if what I've done as a prelim design is even possible, or if I will eventually have to plan on a duplex instead. Additionally I had hopes of being able to complete the project for under $130 sqft for approximately 3500-4000 sqft of living space excluding the ground floor parking. Am I completely off base in my assumptions?  

[Lee Hampton]

City of Houston will not allow you to place a triplex on 3000 sq ft lot. Parse thru chapter 42; The main sticking points will be navigating the combination of open space requirements, lot coverage, and minimum parking standards. So this leads you to a duplex. Since duplexes are governed by single family code and not multi-family, there are a different set of standards. Your main sticking point here will be the density regulation and minimum lot size reduction requirements. I have been able to get creative for a few people and do a SFR plus a separate small 1 Bdrm guest house, but that will depend on the dimensions of your lot. Sounds like you are flying solo, if so, you'll need to thoroughly understand chapter 33 and 42 of the code. And make friends with the COH permit analysts.