Looking for change in the housing supply? "Don't stop at the zoning code and think you're done. There's so much work left to do."

Daniel Herriges picks up the debate that has ensued since news broke about the lack of development response to the reforms approved in the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan in December 2018 and implemented by a following ordinance in November 2019.
As reported by Hannah Jones for City Pages, only three permits for triplexes on land previously zoned for single-family detached homes have been processed in the city this year. Herriges writes to defend the Minneapolis, and to push for more reforms.
So does this mean that the policy—one that we have praised here at Strong Towns and encouraged as a model for other places—is a failure? That the naysayers were right, incremental development is irrelevant to a city like Minneapolis, and future zoning or housing reforms should focus on much larger residential projects instead?
The answer is no. This is still an important policy step, one that I believe was necessary—but never sufficient—to achieve a healthier and more resilient housing market. It was never going to work short-term miracles on its own, and results so far should be a cautionary tale to those who think zoning alone is capable of that. But it's a crucial long-term step anyway.
Herriges then provides an explanation for why the city's zoning changes have yet to achieve a more robust effect, summarized with the statement that zoning is not the sole determining factor in land use decisions. Moreover, development patterns take time to change. A period of less than nine months, marred by the economic uncertainty of a global pandemic, isn't enough time to determine the success of these zoning changes.
FULL STORY: What if They Passed Zoning Reform and Nobody Came?

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie