Lafayette provides a case study of the San Francisco Bay Area housing market.
"Despite last-minute protests from a group of affordable housing advocates, lawmakers have greenlighted a high-end housing development that replaces a plan for 315 moderate-income apartments proposed for a grassy hillside near Highway 24," reports Jennifer Modenessi.
The decision ends years of debate over the development proposal and provides an example of the challenging of delivering new housing supply around the Bay Area—not just in San Francisco where the housing crisis discussion usually focuses.
"The approvals allow developer The O'Brien Land Company to build 44 clustered single-family homes and a number of public amenities at the former quarry site on the city's eastern edge. The million dollar residences in the Homes at Deer Hill development replace the Terraces of Lafayette apartments, which O'Brien and landowner Anna Maria Dettmer pitched more than four years ago," adds Modenessil in describing how the project has evolved.
The article includes more details about the political debate that surrounded the decision.
FULL STORY: Lafayette OK's Deer Hill homes development
Lawsuits: Not Just for Development Opponents Anymore
Details of the "Sue the Suburbs" movement wielding a new legal tool to counteract the traditionally obstructionist methods of land use regulation in California.
San Francisco Housing Advocates: 'Sue the Suburbs'
Renters' advocates in San Francisco are building a political and fundraising base to legally challenge suburbs that aren't pulling their weight in constructing the housing to meet the demands of population growth.
Robotaxi Charging Lots Could Complicate San Francisco Housing Development
Multiple sites slated for housing development are now being turned into charging and storage lots for autonomous vehicles, making housing an unintended victim of the robotaxi revolution.
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.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions