Local officials in Manasota Key, FL tried to preserve the character of their community by putting height restrictions in place, but a thwarted developer has been awarded $500k for the limitations these restrictions imposed on his property rights.
"The case underscores Florida's endless conflict between preservation and property rights, and the difficult choices government leaders face in balancing those interests. It also highlights the impact of the Bert J. Harris Jr. Act, a 1995 state law giving landowners more power to sue for compensation when government limits what they can do with their property.
The threat of lawsuits deters many communities from passing development laws meant to protect the safety and well-being of residents, said Steve Pfeiffer, a Sarasota attorney and board member for 1,000 Friends of Florida, a growth management advocacy group.
"The act has a shadow impact that is beyond any impact of actually filing Bert Harris claims," Pfeiffer said, using the shorthand legal term for challenges under the law.
The Harris Act was used recently to file suit against the city of Sarasota after a zoning change rendered a planned 18-story building downtown unbuildable. The change restricted height in the area to 10 stories."
FULL STORY: Preserving character at risk of losing cash

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.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie