Many of the candidates agree that a slow, complex sales process and strong councilmanic prerogative hinder the development of city-owned lots.

Candidates running for mayor of Philadelphia are touting vacant city-owned lots as one solution to the city’s affordable housing shortage, calling on the city to improve its “too complex and too slow” current process for building on vacant land. According to an article by Aarol Moselle for WHYY, a combination of Philadelphia city agencies owns roughly one-quarter of the 40,000 vacant lots in the city. But Philadelphia Land Bank executive director Angel Rodriguez “said it currently takes between four and seven months for a property to go to settlement, the final stage of a transaction where ownership of the property is legally transferred from the city to the buyer, usually either a private developer or a nonprofit.” Developers say this time frame makes it difficult to build new housing at a pace that will make an impact.
The city also has uniquely powerful councilmembers under what is known as councilmanic privilege, “longstanding and deep-rooted practice” in Philadelphia. “Any candidate running for mayor in Philadelphia must contend with that reality if they’re elected, particularly if their campaign is pushing for new affordable housing projects, which are viewed by advocates as a significant but not a singular solution to the ongoing housing crisis.”
FULL STORY: Philly mayoral candidates target vacant land for affordable housing

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

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

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

Dallas Ditches Parking Minimums in 14-1 Vote
The sweeping city council decision removes set parking requirements from developments downtown, near transit, small businesses and more.

Downtown Cleveland Gets First Ever Protected Bike Lanes
The $200,000 “quick build” lanes are the first of 50 planned miles over five years.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment
City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.
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