After postponing a vote on the item in late September, Bellaire officials unanimously adopted an ordinance Oct. 19 further amending regulations for the city’s Corridor Mixed Use zoning district.

In case you missed it: City Council approved an initial set of amendments recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission back in March, according to agenda documents.

City Council expressed a desire to allow single-family detached dwellings and townhouses for stand-alone use or as part of a mixed-use development in the area.

Another detail: City staff brought the ordinance before council members on the dais for a public hearing Aug. 3, and subsequently for voting consideration Sept. 21.

Both times, however, Bellaire officials identified numerous language inconsistencies throughout the proposed single-family regulations. Because of this, City Council deferred taking action on the item at the Sept. 21 session.

The now-completed ordinance includes updated language, revisions and clarifications as they relate to the CMU.

The iconic Houston furniture showroom Noël Furniture is permanently closing after 50 years in business.

What's happening: Owner Tod Noël announced his retirement in June, leading to the subsequent closure of the showroom located off the Southwest Freeway.

“For five decades, it has been our privilege to help clients create homes of beauty, warmth and distinction," Noël said. "We are deeply grateful for the trust our customers placed in us and for the friendships that have defined our business across generations.”

Some background: Noël Furniture originally opened around 1977, selling luxury and custom home furnishings such as designer sofas, dining tables, handmade rugs and statement art pieces. The store also carried interior design products and luxury brands, including Marge Carson, Elite Leather and Stone International.

Before you go: Noël Furniture's last day will be Oct. 25. Until then, the showroom will continue its liquidation sale with savings ranging from 50% to 80% off.

• 2727 Southwest Fwy., Houston

Houston Fire Department received nearly $10 million in federal funding for training, recruitment and retention efforts.

The gist: Sen. John Cornyn’s office announced that through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), HFD would be one of a handful of departments in Southeast Texas to receive funding through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants program.

The program was created to provide funding directly to fire departments to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters in their communities.

HFD received $9.9 million, which will be used to hire more firefighters.

Quote of note: “Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” Cornyn said. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”

American Express announced plans on Oct. 8 to expand and renovate its existing Centurion Lounge at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The details: The project will nearly triple the lounge's current space from 8,000 square feet to 23,000 square feet and is expected to be complete by 2028.

Upgrades at the Houston airport lounge will include:

• A new Blue Roast by American Express Coffee and Wellness Bar

• A specialty dining area with rotating plated dishes and a signature buffet

• A second full-service bar with craft cocktails and a curated wine selection

• Refreshed restrooms, premium shower suites and various seating areas

Some context: This expansion is part of a larger investment by American Express. The company also plans to expand and upgrade its lounge at Philadelphia International Airport, open a new lounge at Newark Liberty Airport and open a second lounge at London Heathrow Airport.

Three Harris County leaders held a press conference Oct. 15 to call for local data center development oversight and protections for residents.

The overview: County Attorney Abbie Kamin and commissioners Adrian Garcia and Lesley Briones are asking the state legislature to expand the county's authority, as counties currently have little to no authority to stop these developments.

Harris County has 55 operating, under construction or planned data centers. During an Oct. 15 meeting, the Harris County Commissioners Court passed a motion requiring:

• County departments to notify the court when major data centers apply for permits

• The County Attorney’s Office to report on existing county authority and oversight

• The Office of Intergovernmental and Global Affairs to advocate for statutory changes to strengthen county oversight in unincorporated areas during the next legislative session

The impact: Residents have raised concerns regarding grid reliability, noise, water and energy use, and utility costs. CenterPoint Energy expects to connect eight gigawatts of new data center load in the Houston area by 2029.