A regional planning proposal in El Paso County, Colorado calls for uniform standards for unincorporated developments, which would make it easier to receive city services if annexed in the future.

In an effort to let neighborhoods outside the city limits "more easily annex into city limits and receive city services, such as water, in the future," the city of Colorado Springs and El Paso County are encouraging "tighter building standards" in the region "through a new intergovernmental agreement and comprehensive annexation plan." Writing in The Gazette, Mary Shinn reports on the agreement, which stems from concerns that new developments will have a harder time receiving city services if they aren't built to the same standards from the start. "When developments don't meet city standards, as with Cimarron Hills, they can become county enclaves surrounded by the city but not receiving city services." The Colorado Springs City Council praised the move as "a step in the right direction, particularly because county neighborhoods may need to hook up to city water in the coming decades as groundwater supplies diminish."
The new plan isn't meant to reduce the autonomy of local communities, city officials said, but "is a move toward better regional planning that is meant to be collaborative not adversarial." According to Councilman Dave Geislinger, the agreement "allows for a more sustainable regional community." The proposal "will cover properties within three miles of the Colorado Springs limits and is expected to align with the areas of change the county outlined in its new master plan."
FULL STORY: Colorado Springs City Council lauds move toward regional planning

The Right to Mobility
As we consider how to decarbonize transportation, preserving mobility, especially for lower- and middle-income people, must be a priority.

Bend Eliminates Parking Minimums
The city is complying with an Oregon state mandate that some cities have challenged in court.

Scottsdale Cuts Water Supply to Nearby Suburb
The city claims it has no responsibility to provide water to the unincorporated Maricopa County community.

Utah Could Eliminate Parking Requirements Near Transit
A proposed state bill would bar cities from requiring parking in areas adjacent to transit stations in an effort to make housing production more affordable and encourage walking and transit use.

Where Pandemic Bike Improvements Won Out
While some cities are reverting back to pre-pandemic street configurations, others are taking advantage of the momentum for bike and pedestrian infrastructure to make pandemic-era projects permanent.

Atlanta Transit Plans Stall Due to Budget Concerns
With MARTA facing a potential billion dollar shortfall, the agency says it can’t fulfill its system expansion plan.
Town of Reading
Meridian Consultants
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Piedmont, CA
City of Morganton
St. Louis County, MO
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.