After roundly rejecting a proposal to legalize granny flats in 2018, the city council is revising it and other zoning reform proposals that could increase the city’s affordable housing supply.
With the city short an estimated 21,000 affordable housing units, Reno leaders are reconsidering permitting accessory dwelling units (ADUs), adopting ‘by-right’ approvals for some housing developments, and upzoning some districts as part of a package of recommendations aimed at increasing the housing supply.
As Ben Margiott reports for Fox Reno, “After a lengthy special meeting, the city council directed staff to move forward with drafting a granny flat ordinance and asked them to come back later this year with more specifics on other policies.” While some council members are skeptical of the proposals, others hope they can help meet growing housing needs.
According to consultant Shane Phillips, who prepared the recommendations, upzoning some residential neighborhoods “could involve allowing up to 30 units per acre on land previously zoned for up to 14 or 21 units per acre. Denser land which currently permits up to 30 units per acre, could be rezoned to allow up to 45 or 60 units.”
FULL STORY: Reno council debates allowing denser housing, revisits controversial effort to legalize granny flats
Nashville Allows More Detached ADUs, Courtyard Apartments
The city has been considering a series of zoning reform bills designed to diversify housing options.
ADU Demand Grows Across the West Coast
In communities from California to Washington, permit applications for accessory dwelling units outpace the ability of permitting and construction to keep pace.
Arizona Legalizes ADUs and Higher Downtown Density Statewide
Two new laws require cities to permit ‘missing middle housing’ near city centers and ADUs on all single-family lots.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
Guerilla urbanists are building DIY bus stop benches in Chicago
A before-and-after of one of the bus stops with a new bench. The new benches are not officially sanctioned or permitted, but the residents who placed them hope they will be the start of a network of DIY benches across the city.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association