The county hopes proposals to legalize accessory rental units and encourage transit-oriented development will mitigate the region’s housing crisis.
Two proposed zoning changes could help alleviate the affordable housing crisis in Miami-Dade County. As Alyssa Ramos and Natu Tweh report for WLRN, “County commissioners approved a preliminary vote on one proposal that would permit homeowners to rent out efficiency apartments on their own properties.” This proposal, which would only apply to unincorporated areas, would essentially legalize an already common practice, boost the housing supply, and create a potential income stream for homeowners.
Reporter Doug Hanks tempered the enthusiasm, saying, “Miami already has very similar rules in place that obviously has not made a dent in that city's affordable housing problem, so we should probably manage expectations on what kind of solution this is, but it would be a major, major change in county zoning.”
According to the article, “Miami-Dade County commissioners also passed a rapid transit zoning law that would allow mid-rise housing to be built near public transit routes.” The county is giving the city of Miami two years to develop their own rules to encourage transit-oriented development and more housing construction.
FULL STORY: What to expect from Miami-Dade's proposed changes to zoning laws
Zoning Reform: Lessons From New Zealand
The island nation is mandating mid-density zoning requirements and transit-oriented development in an effort to increase housing affordability and encourage compact development.
Washington Could Legalize 'Missing Middle' Housing Statewide
A proposed bill in the Washington state legislature that would legalize more multi-family housing in the state could add hundreds of thousands of units to the state's strained housing stock.
Vancouver's New Housing Plan Takes Shape
If its proposals are effectively implemented, Vancouver's new housing plan would promote 'missing middle housing' and increase density near jobs and transit.
The Hyperloop’s Prospects Dim
The media is coming around to the idea that the hyperloop is not a near-term solution for the country’s transportation woes. It’s too little, too obvious, too late.
Where Housing Costs Are Falling Fastest
Although median home prices remain close to record highs in many cities, some of the country’s priciest metro areas are seeing home prices plummet.
When Transit-Oriented Development Is Missing the ‘Transit’
Cities, residents, and developers have a renewed interest in building more housing near transit stations—when they actually provide safe, reliable transit.
‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ Movement Wins in Pasadena
Houses of worship in the California city will be allowed to build housing on their properties in an effort to alleviate the city’s housing shortage.
The Vanishing American ‘Starter Home’
Rising land costs, expensive materials, and onerous building and lot size requirements are making it harder to build small, affordable ‘starter homes’ in the United States.
Kansas City Adopts Vision Zero
The city aims to make its streets more walkable and reduce traffic violence by investing in sidewalks and other safety improvements.
Missoula County
Norwalk Redevelopment Agency
Sage Computing
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Smart City Expo World Congress
California High Speed Rail Authority
City of Fargo, North Dakota
City of Crystal River
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.
