In Sparks, Nevada, development handbooks are taking the place of traditional zoning.
"As many cities have done, Sparks turned to planned developments because its zoning code was stuck in cement. Title 20, the city's Zoning and Land Use Controls, was adopted in 1976 and amended only slightly after that, partly because of budget constraints.
Then came the population boom. Traditional zoning wasn't doing enough to guide it and a more flexible tool was needed.
In 1991, Sparks adopted a master plan that included a plan for the northern Sparks sphere of influence. Under Nevada law, cities must declare a sphere of influence consistent with the regional plan; it is best defined as a potential development area extending into surrounding unincorporated land.
The sphere-of-influence plan requires the use of planned development standards handbooks, which allow the city to review each project's infrastructure and design. In northern Sparks, those handbooks replace the city's zoning and land-use controls for that planned development area."
FULL STORY: Development Handbooks Vs. Zoning
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.