Who should pay for growth? In the crunchy enclave of Bolinas California, newcomers pay a steep entrance fee. Fair or not, it's a good anecdote to share among planners and budget analysts.
An auction for a water meter Friday will determine the price for growth in the antidevelopment town of Bolinas, 20 miles north of San Francisco. The event is the consequence of a water meter moratorium put in place in 1971.
Since then, longtime Bolinas resident Barbara Rothwell tells the New York Times "the only way a water meter came free was when a house burnt down, or fell off a cliff."
$300,000 sounds like an insane amount of money to pay to hook up one house, but many locals think the water meter is undervalued. If it does not bring big money, some residents may take it as a sign that the relentless development pressures of the last decade have receded.
FULL STORY: The Price for Building a Home in This Town: $300,000 Water Meter
Florida Law Would Change the Definition of ‘Sprawl’
One quick way to build sprawl.
Seattle Ponders a New Approach to Zoning for its Comprehensive Plan Update
The city of Seattle will have an updated comprehensive plan by the end of 2024, with zoning changes to follow by 2025.
Different Approaches to Fast Growth in Idaho's Treasure Valley
Three cities on the periphery of the fast-growing Treasure Valley showcase different approaches to a sudden influx of newcomers.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
