Zoning Changes

The view down Main Street in Akron, Ohio

A Small Town Makes its First Zoning Update Since 1997

Mixed-use development and a floodplain overlay are the big-ticket items when the small community of Akron Borough in Pennsylvania recently updated its zoning code.

July 5, 2023 - Lancaster Online

A view from above of the Oakland neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Moves Ahead With Zoning Changes for University-Adjacent Neighborhood

The implementation of a new master plan for the neighborhood of Oakland, home to the University of Pittsburgh, is moving forward despite controversy and a contentious community engagement process.

February 24, 2023 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Governors Island - South Island Rezoning

What Are Zoning Amendments?

Zoning amendments change the existing zoning code by either of two methods: changing the text of the zoning code or changing the zoning map.

September 8, 2022 - James Brasuell

Marijuana

Zoning for Marijuana: Retail Not Included

Local municipalities in New Jersey retain local control in response to a state law that legalizes marijuana businesses throughout the state.

December 23, 2021 - NorthJersey.com

Zoning Code Rendering

Which Cities Are Upzoning?

A recent study surveyed 800 jurisdictions in 50 U.S. metropolitan areas to quantify the amount of change in zoning regulations throughout the 21st century so far.

November 17, 2021 - Journal Of The American Planning Association

Street signs at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Highland in Arlington, Virginia.

Arlington County Allows New Ground Level Uses

Arlington County is allowing land use flexibility on ground floors in the hopes of transforming the Columbia Park as more of a pedestrian-oriented "Main Street."

November 17, 2021 - Arlington County Government

Springdale Green

New Building Heights Coming to East Austin

The center of commercial gravity will be located a little to the east in Austin after two six-story office buildings are complete.

June 17, 2021 - Urbanize Austin

Texas

Fort Worth City Council Wants to Pause Apartment Developments

A trio of Fort Worth city councilmembers are trying to hit the brakes on the recent wave of multi-family housing developments requiring zoning changes in the growing city.

January 14, 2021 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Chicago, Illinois

'Anti-Conversion Ordinance' Considered in Chicago

New zoning controls would make it harder to convert multi-unit residential buildings into single-family homes to prevent displacement in single-family neighborhoods in Chicago.

December 4, 2020 - The Daily Line

New Bus Station

Roanoke Finds a Planning Work Around to Approve New Transit Station

With Planning Commission approval in hand, the Roanoke City Council will soon consider a controversial proposal for a new transit station in the city's downtown.

November 11, 2020 - The Roanoke Times

Georgia

Roswell, Georgia Limits Multi-Family Development Despite Affordability Concerns

The Roswell City Council discussed how limiting multi-family developments could increase housing costs, and then voted to limit multi-family development anyway.

July 27, 2020 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mount Rainier

An Incremental Upzoning Approved in Tacoma

Though it stops well short of a citywide upzoning, the city of Tacoma has still expanded its planned development envelope by upzoning residential neighborhoods around the city.

December 5, 2019 - The Urbanist

Washington, D.C. Rowhouses

Short-Term Rental Legalization Hangs on Zoning Changes in D.C.

The D.C. Zoning Commission delayed a decision that would be the final step toward legalizing Airbnb and other short-term rental companies operating in Washington, D.C.

October 22, 2019 - WAMU

California State Capital

California's Most Controversial Housing Bill Advances with Amendments

Senate Bill 50, by Scott Wiener, advanced on two fronts last week: On Wednesday, it passed easily out of its first committee with new "Minneapolis-style" amendments. On Sunday, it received a New York Times editorial endorsement.

April 30, 2019 - CALmatters

Philadelphia

'Councilmanic Prerogative' Hindering Development in Philadelphia

The legislative quid pro quo is being used by members of the city council for the wrong reasons, leaving neighborhoods throughout the city in limbo.

March 14, 2019 - The Inquirer / Philly.com

Standard Hotel

Proposed Zoning Changes Would Make it Harder to Develop Hotels in New York's Manufacturing Areas

A set of zoning changes under consideration in New York City promises to be controversial; the de Blasio Administration is already onboard.

April 29, 2018 - Crain's New York Business

When Controversy Erupts Between the Master Plan and the Zoning Changes

Most planners have been there before: it's time to implement the goals of a newly approved Master Plan by rewriting the zoning code, and suddenly the public becomes outraged.

November 2, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Washington

Livability Standards Have Arrived in the Pacific Northwest

The city of Bellevue, Washington has adopted new zoning and land use standards as part of an ongoing Downtown Livability Initiative.

October 29, 2017 - The Urbanist

New Jersey

Proposed Density Causes 'Chaos' at the Newark City Council Hearing

A suite of zoning changes that would increase building heights and density along the Passaic River in Newark, New Jersey, provoked a chaotic council hearing that devolved into shouting and the removal of residents from the council chambers.

September 21, 2017 - NJ.com

Tysons Corner

Northern Virginia Counties Not Happy With State Changes to Zoning Laws

Suburban housing construction has ground to a halt in Northern Virginia, according to county officials from the region, due to a law that changed the state's proffer system.

September 11, 2017 - WTOP

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