A recent editorial argues that the successful model of regional planning in the Sacramento region known as the "Blueprint" provides an alternative to sprawl that needs to be applied statewide, and identifies current state legislation to do just that.
"The Blueprint works like this: A regional body -- in our case, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments -- assesses its housing needs over a 50-year period. Each local government determines where its share of housing will go, in concert with protecting watersheds and valuable farmland and designing a workable transportation system.
In the Legislature, state Sen. Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento is working on a measure that could imprint the Blueprint statewide. Senate Bill 375 would require the California Transportation Commission and regional agencies (those with populations larger than 800,000) to conduct the kind of modeling and planning that SACOG has done in this region."
from SF Chronicle:
"Legislation by state Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, would require state regulators to set emissions reduction targets in each region of the state, and would restrict some transportation funds from going to regions that don't develop growth plans that discourage sprawl and encourage development centered around public transportation and job centers. The idea behind SB375, Steinberg said, was to reward regions that meet their new housing needs in a way that doesn't lead to dramatic increases in the amount people drive."
from the Bee:
"If local governments comply with the growth scenarios envisioned by a region, they would be exempted from certain requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. That's a significant incentive. At times, misuse of CEQA has hampered urban renewal and transit-friendly development."
"Steinberg is promoting SB 375 as part of a Senate package to fight global warming...That's a timely and reasonable argument, but the real reason to support this bill is much closer to home. Better regional planning will help make the state's metro areas more attractive and livable, and that will allow them to grow and attract jobs in a cleaner, healthier setting."
Thanks to Leonard Conly
FULL STORY: Editorial: Fuelish sprawl - Bill would advance regional planning

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

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont