'Backers of a new housing development in rapidly growing St. Croix County intend to share the woods and water with wildlife through a unique effort that many hope will become commonplace.'
"Developers of Indigo Ponds, a 160-acre development near Hudson, have worked with public and private groups to ensure that painted turtles and mallards won't be evicted from ponds, and that deer and wild turkeys will have room to roam through stands of maple, oak and poplar....Those involved in the project said they hope such developments become more common. They called for changes in zoning laws that now don't encourage such a common-sense approach....For the developers, it's a matter of being sensitive to the needs of wildlife while still making money....Although the project seems to work well, those involved said it could have been even better if zoning laws allowed more home to be clustered in sections of the property, allowing more open space."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: ST. CROIX COUNTY: Upscale housing to meld with wildlife

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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