Philadelphia is sweetening the deal in a proposal that would offer developers density bonuses if they send money to the city's Housing Trust Fund.

Developers told the Philadelphia City Council that a proposed density bonus law wouldn't be enough of an incentive to generate funding for affordable housing, so the City Council made revisions to the proposal.
"After a negative response from developers, Philadelphia City Council has amended the terms of a density bonus intended to raise funds for affordable housing," reports Jake Blumgart.
"The bill amended on Thursday would give developers additional height, density, and floor area in exchange for payments to the Housing Trust Fund," adds Blumgart. In essence, the density bonus is now cheaper, and thus easier, for developers to use.
The administration of Mayor Jim Kenney estimates the new density bonus would generate $18 million for the Housing Trust Fund over the next five years.
In addition to the changes already made by the city to the proposed law, the Building Industry Association (BIA) is pushing for additional changes that would "allow developers to trade a contribution to the Trust Fund for a reduction in the number of mandatory parking spaces required in high-density areas," reports Blumgart.
FULL STORY: New inclusionary zoning bill sweetens deal for developers

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

US Senate Reverses California EV Mandate
The state planned to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, a goal some carmakers deemed impossible to meet.

Trump Cuts Decimate Mapping Agency
The National Geodetic Survey maintains and updates critical spatial reference systems used extensively in both the public and private sectors.

Washington Passes First US ‘Shared Streets’ Law
Cities will be allowed to lower speed limits to 10 miles per hour and prioritize pedestrians on certain streets.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions