Seattle offers a compelling example of how the transfer of development rights (TDR) can provide a market-based means to kill two smart-growth birds with one stone, writes Claire Thompson.
Thompson discusses the case of Olive 8 - "a swanky hotel/condo complex planned for downtown Seattle" - that was allowed to build beyond the 300-foot height limit allowed by zoning in exchange for the purchase of development rights out of King County's TDR bank. "When used this way," says Thompson, "TDRs encourage more of the kind of density essential
for creating walkable cities with lower carbon footprints, while
allowing cash-poor landowners to get some money out of their property
without subdividing."
For Thompson, the attraction of a TDR program, versus other means of land protection such as conservation easements, is that it's market-based, meaning it doesn't rely on the generosity of individuals or non-profits, or increasingly imperiled public funds.
"'TDR creates this revolving funding source, where if we buy those
[development] rights and then sell them, we recoup the initial outlay,
and we can use that money to buy additional land,' explains Michael
Murphy, manager of King County's TDR program. And, he says, there's the
fact that 'it's voluntary and incentive-based, rather than a mandate
so it's appealing to a broad spectrum of people.'"
FULL STORY: Building up, not selling out: Can denser cities save family farms?

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.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie