By a vote split (nearly) down the party line, the Oregon House passed a bill to end state restrictions on inclusionary zoning. Municipalities may soon be able to require below-market pricing.
In a victory for affordable housing in Oregon, the state House of Representatives passed a bill to allow a certain degree of inclusionary zoning. These rules would require "developers in certain areas to offer some housing units at below-market prices, usually to people with middle or low incomes."
To placate legislators concerned about backlash from the development industry, "the bill likely to pass the House today will do so thanks to an amendment brokered by [House Speaker] Kotek that would set a maximum of 30 percent below-market units per project, or the equivalent."
Equity advocates "say it's a needed tool for preserving income diversity in high-demand neighborhoods like central Portland. Opponents, led by the state's homebuilders' association, say private developers shouldn't bear the costs of keeping neighborhoods income-diverse."
Predictions that the decision would be split along party lines were just about valid: "The bill did indeed pass the house, 34-25, on a nearly party-line vote. Brian Clem (D-Salem) voted against the bill."
FULL STORY: Oregon House likely to pass bill to preserve income-diverse neighborhoods
Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary
Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.
Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024
A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.
Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts
From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.
Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding
The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.
Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly
The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.
LA's Top Parks, Ranked
TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.
City of Rochester
Boston Harbor Now
City of Bellevue
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
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.