Witness the full force of anti-development animus in Southern California, where at least three cities are facing variety of backlash to the status quo of zoning and development processes.
Leo Duran reports on the anti-density efforts of a sample of cities in Southern California in an article that supports a recent radio show devoted to the subject.
On the recent episode of Take Two, broadcast on a Southern California NPR affiliate KPCC, Leo Duran spoke with Raphael Bostic, a housing expert from the University of Southern California, to discuss the public support for more density.
Duran notes, however, a series of anti-density ballot initiatives, such as:
- A proposed ballot initiative by Stop Manhattanwood "targets zoning rules for large-scale real estate developments in Los Angeles. Also in Los Angeles, but left off the list by Duran, is the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative detailed several times on Planetizen already.
- Then there is the long saga of Huntington Beach, which recently rejected a state mandate "to create a set number of low-income units each year."
- And the latest news: "Activists in Santa Monica are working to put a ballot initiative up for a vote in November" that "would require the public vote to approve any project taller than 32 feet."
The linked article also includes a podcast of the radio report.
FULL STORY: SoCal cities buckle down to fight density

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service