Prince George's County officials put the brakes on unchecked residential growth.
Prince George's County, Maryland lies to the east of Washington, D.C. and for many years has longed for the level of residential growth experienced by other counties in the region. However, as housing prices continue to skyrocket around Washington, more homebuyers and builders are taking another look at locating in this relatively inexpensive jurisdiction. In reaction to an increase in housing stock, the County Council recently approved legislation banning any new subdivisions from being build for one year. "We need to have some slowdown while we're developing a clearer sense of what we want the rural tier to look like," said council member David Harrington (D-Bladensburg), one of the bill's sponsors. In the meantime, officials are looking at a variety of land use options that could better concentrate growth into predetermined high-density zones. One option is transferable development rights - builders would be allowed to build on a portion of property and could transfer the right to build elsewhere at higher densities. "With a sound transfer development rights policy, we can protect open space and wetlands and provide incentive for developers to increase . . . density within areas where the general plan was meant to have density," Harrington said.
Thanks to Peter Buryk
FULL STORY: County Restricts Residential Growth

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.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie