The guide outlines zoning reforms that can encourage affordable housing construction and increase density and walkability.
A new toolkit from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities (LWM), the Congress of New Urbanism, and several other Wisconsin organizations "offers a list of zoning reforms, with suggestions such as allowing narrower lots, reduced setbacks and a mix of housing types to reduce development costs" that can improve housing affordability in the state. As Roberta Baumann reports, the document is aimed at guiding communities in increasing 'missing middle housing' and other more affordable housing types.
While the guide, titled "Enabling Better Places: A User’s Guide to Wisconsin Neighborhood Affordability," does not mandate any zoning changes, notes Baumann, local governments are encouraged to use the tools it provides when the opportunity comes up.
One community, Waunakee, will evaluate parking reform regulations at an upcoming public meeting, "mainly because recent developments have been approved with parking exemptions." According to Waunakee community development director Tim Semmann, "[c]hanging patterns in shopping trends have rendered some regulations as outdated." The village's Community Development Authority (CDA) is also "creating policies for using Housing Betterment Fund dollars derived from Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) district extensions for affordable housing."
FULL STORY: Wisconsin housing affordability at the heart of zoning reform project
How Cities Are Resisting State Efforts To Increase Density
Cities are attempting to wrest back local control over land use and zoning via some ingenious—and sometimes disingenuous—strategies.
Affordable Housing Proposal Faces Backlash in Salt Lake City
A public hearing last week revealed widespread opposition to a plan to loosen density and height limits and reduce parking requirements to encourage more developers to build affordable housing.
Tacoma Density Plan Moves to Phase Two
The Home in Tacoma plan would amend the city's zoning code to include more 'missing middle' housing types and encourage infill development.
Keanu Reeves Set to Play Daniel Burnham in ‘The Devil in the White City’
Planning is going to get a new level of star power as a limited series adaptation of The Devil in the White City gets ready for television screens in 2024.
Opinion: Aging Population, Declining Fertility Requires Long-Term Investments
Faced with the dire consequences of a one-two punch of aging populations and declining birthrates, one writer has suggestions for how policy can help ensure a better future.
The Tide Has Turned Against Open Streets
Once a promising development for advocates pushing for a less car-centric future in cities, the open streets movement has ceded significant ground to cars since the height of the pandemic.
Richmond Weighing How to End Parking Requirements
A series of town hall meetings will allow the public a chance to give feedback about zoning changes in Richmond, Virginia that would include the end of parking requirements.
Key Warehouse Centers Challenge Distribution Center Expansion
Communities near major e-commerce distribution centers are increasingly resisting new construction, citing air pollution and other public health impacts.
Another Silicon Valley Enclave Resists Multifamily Housing
Ultrawealthy residents have blocked a proposal to build townhouse developments in one of California’s most affluent communities.
Brick & Story
City of Mt Shasta
McKenna
Cohousing Association of the US
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Rail~Volution
Sun City Center Community Association, Inc
City of Mesa
Town of Gilbert, Arizona
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
