Critics say a proposed apartment building would negatively impact the neighborhood’s walkability.
A proposed apartment building in Houston is spurring discussion about the city’s building code — and where supportive housing for formerly unhoused residents should go. As R.A. Schuetz explains in the Houston Chronicle, the nonprofit developer in charge of the project is requesting a variance to build closer than 25 feet from the property line to accommodate the supportive housing project.
“But lawyers representing the owners of a block of land nearby have protested that the variance would make the area less pedestrian-friendly, which is the purpose of the city rule limiting how close buildings can be to property lines.” The nonprofit, Bread of Life, says it plans to provide pedestrians with a six-foot wide sidewalk.
“The building that would require the variance would be the second of a two-phase project to bring more permanent supportive housing to the block bounded by Crawford, Gray and Jackson streets and the Pierce Elevated, according to Planning Commission documents.”
FULL STORY: New homeless housing project near Knowles-Rowland complex sparks debate over city development rules
Troubled Houston housing agency announces plan to resolve 'material deficiencies'
The newly renamed Housing Alliance Houston has created a new accounting team and instituted new tenant file inspections, per a recent update required by HUD.
Houston improved walkability ahead of the World Cup. Will it last?
Some mobility advocates say the city's 'Green Corridor' amounts to 'lipstick on a pig' rather than a true commitment to better transit and walking infrastructure.
Missing Houston housing authority records put tenant housing at risk
The rebranded Houston housing agency is still working to reconcile records lost during a 2024 software switch.
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