Zoning changes at the local and state levels are making it easier and faster to build housing.
Ahead of a discussion on zoning in the Dallas city council, an article by Leah Waters in the Dallas Morning News outlines current and historic zoning reforms taking place in cities across Texas.
In Houston, the reduction of the minimum lot size to 3,500 square feet from 5,000 square feet in 1998 “spurred housing development dramatically,” leading to the construction of over 34,000 townhomes between 2007 and 2020.
Austin loosened zoning rules last December to allow denser development, but neighborhoods can opt out by forming homeowners’ associations.
At the state level, the Texas legislature passed a bill last fall that streamlines the permitting process, but failed to pass another bill that would have limited cities’ control over minimum lot sizes. “A bill that would have allowed by-right development of accessory dwelling units in backyards of single-family homes failed to pass by one vote in the Texas House.”
FULL STORY: Here’s how cities across Texas changed their zoning to increase housing
Pittsburgh Mayor Proposes Zoning Changes to Curb Housing Shortage
The mayor’s plan includes legalizing ADUs in single-family neighborhoods, eliminating parking requirements, and adding new affordability requirements to buildings with over 20 units.
Vermont Issues Missing Middle Housing Toolkit
The state wants to encourage mid-density development to ease the housing crisis and provide a wider variety of housing options for residents.
Will New York ‘City of Yes’ Proposal Make an Impact?
Some housing experts say the rezoning plan is not nearly ambitious enough to make a dent in the city’s housing crisis.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
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Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie