Elections have consequences, and a new, younger City Council in Raleigh is ready to implement progressive planning and land use reforms.
"Raleigh leaders took the first step toward changing the rules that developers have to follow to address housing affordability," reports Anna Johnson.
The rules—still in the early stages on the way to approval as several new City Council members push for reform of land use and development regulations in the city—focus on several key ideas to ease development and reduce costs for all kinds of development, not just housing.
Downtown Parking Requirements
"If a developer wants to build a commercial project in downtown Raleigh, the city has required a parking space for every 500 square feet. City leaders have taken the first step to remove that requirement," reports Johnson.
Missing Middle Housing
Following in the footsteps of Minneapolis, the Raleigh City Council decided to explore the idea of adding "cottage courts" in areas zoned R-2 and R-4. Councilmember David Cox was the lone vote against the study, writing a blog post after the vote that lamented the city's move "toward ending single family zoning." Cox also expressed negative feelings about the new makeup of the City Council after the election in October.
Building Heights
"The council also voted to remove the height cap for buildings seven stories and above," reports Johnson. "The city’s code had limits for height and stories for buildings, and removing the height cap will result in better buildings being built throughout Raleigh..."
FULL STORY: Raleigh leaders promised to change the rules for housing affordability. It’s starting.
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Early Sharrow Booster: ‘I Was Wrong’
The lane marking was meant to raise awareness and instill shared respect among drivers and cyclists. But their inefficiency has led supporters to denounce sharrows, pushing instead for more robust bike infrastructure that truly protects riders.
Push and Pull: The Link Between Walkability and Affordability
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Tacoma Developing New Housing Policy
The city’s Home in Tacoma plan is designed to address the region’s growth and rising housing prices, but faces local backlash over density and affordability concerns.
Green Alleys: A New Paradigm for Stormwater Management
Rather than shuttling stormwater away from the city and into the ocean as quickly as possible, Los Angeles is now—slowly—moving toward a ‘city-as-sponge’ approach that would capture and reclaim more water to recharge crucial reservoirs.
Orange County Project Could Go Forward Under ‘Builder’s Remedy’
The nation’s largest home builder could receive approval for a 530-unit development under an obscure state law as the city of La Habra’s zoning laws hang in limbo after the state rejected its proposed housing plan.
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