Report: There's a Right Way to Do Inclusionary Zoning

A new study from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy makes the case for well-timed, thoughtful use of inclusionary zoning as a tool to support diverse, affordable communities.

1 minute read

September 24, 2015, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


No Luxury Condos

Brooke Anderson / Flickr

A post by Anthony Flint on the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy website announces the release of a new report titled "Inclusionary Zoning: Creating and Maintaining Equitable Communities." As noted in the post, debates about inclusionary zoning are raging in cities all over the country. The new report by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy endeavors to "[separate] myth from fact, charting a path forward for policymakers and showing how inclusionary housing can be used effectively to reduce economic segregation."

More specifically, according to Flint, "author Rick Jacobus of Cornerstone Partnership offers solutions for overcoming the major political, technical, legal and practical barriers to successful inclusionary housing programs," after providing a review of literature and case studies.

Randy Billings already picked up on the news of the new report for the Portland Press Herald, indicating the relevance of inclusionary zoning to housing policy in Maine's largest city. "The [Maine] City Council is also considering adopting an inclusionary zoning ordinance," reports Billings. "Even though the proposed ordinance received a negative recommendation from the Planning Board, several councilors continue to support the proposal, which they will take up at a meeting in October."

Thursday, September 24, 2015 in At Lincoln House

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

September 30, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2, 2026 - ABC 7

A rendering of the courthouse. The middle section is glass, the far left and right pillars are white.

Planned $2 billion courthouse in MA sparks tension with local government

Springfield owns an essential piece of the land developers intend to build on, and some city officials do not want to see the project come to fruition.

October 5 - Boston Globe

A person installing solar panels on a wall. The panels are tilted slightly, the head of the person is hidden under one of them.

Californians can now transform balconies into power generators

Gov. Gavin Newsom has legalized plug-in solar technology, which allows residents to plug solar panels directly into their outlets

October 5 - Grist

An aerial view of the new state park, with a forest and lake visible under a sunset.

This 85-year-old ranch is Texas’ newest state park

The 650 acre ranch is one of the largest parcels of land along Lake Palestine.

October 5 - Houston Chronicle

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design