The city made a subtle, one-word change that frees up developers to build parking based on actual need and eliminates costly unnecessary parking.

A one-word change unanimously approved by the city council in Norman, Oklahoma could have a major impact on excess parking and construction costs in the city, writes Seairra Sheppard in Next City.
“Basically, all we did in the ordinance was change the word ‘required’ to ‘recommended,’” explained Councilman Matt Peacock.
According to Peacock, “Oklahoma is the only state in the nation that requires its cities to be funded by sales tax alone.” Making the connection to parking, Peacock added, “So when there are massive empty parking lots that are separating buildings by acres, all I see is a lost sales tax base.”
After the change, “Because the parking laws are now recommended instead of required, developers hold a bigger responsibility of tuning in to city needs and proposing an appropriate amount of parking for their business,” Sheppard writes. As Peacock notes, “Parking should be a function of the market, not a function of the building code.”
FULL STORY: This City Removed Its Parking Mandates By Changing One Word

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont