Property owners argue that a new law protecting wildlife corridors amounts to an unconstitutional taking of property.
The U.S. Supreme Court could take on another case that could have rippling effects on local zoning and land use regulations. As Habib Sabet explains in The Other Paper, “The dispute stems from land use regulations passed by the city council in February 2022 that limits development in newly designated ‘habitat blocks,’ or wildlife corridors.”
Owners of a 113.8-acre parcel in South Burlington say the regulations amount to an unconstitutional seizure of their property, preventing them from developing on roughly a third of the land. “In his dismissal of the initial lawsuit, Judge Geoffrey Crawford of the U.S. District Court of Vermont wrote that, ‘in absence of a concrete plan, submitted to the DRB (Development Review Board) and a final decision from the DRB, it is not possible to tell how far the regulations encroach on the Plaintiff’s right to develop it’s [sic] property.’”
Sabet points out that even if the Supreme Court takes the case and rules in the developers’ favor, more litigation — likely years — would follow.
FULL STORY: U.S. Supreme Court to consider South Burlington land use case
New Takings Case Argued Before the Supreme Court
William Fulton examines the likely outcome of a takings case that went before the U.S. Supreme Court last week. Oral arguments seemed to indicate the justices were leaning towards a surprising outcome.
Opinion: Why Environmentalists Should Support NYC ‘City of Yes’ Zoning Reform
The housing-oriented component of Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes proposal could serve the double purpose of making housing more affordable and reducing GHG emissions and car dependency.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Would Project 2025 Affect America’s Transportation System?
Long story short, it would — and not in a good way.
California Law Ends Road Widening Mandates
Housing developers will no longer be required to dedicate land to roadway widening, which could significantly reduce the cost of construction and support more housing units.
But... Europe
European cities and nations tend to have less violent crime than the United States. Is government social welfare spending the magic bullet that explains this difference?
California Room to Roam Act Prioritizes Wildlife Connectivity
A new state law requires new development and infrastructure to minimize disruption to local wildlife habitats and migration patterns.
Oregon Releases Historic Preservation Plan for Next Decade
A plan from the state’s State Historic Preservation Commission outlines priorities for preserving Oregon’s cultural and historic resources.
Austin’s Vision for I-35 Cap Parks Takes Final Shape
The city’s plan includes parks, entertainment pavilions, commercial space, sports fields, and other facilities over 30 acres of deck parks spanning a sunken Interstate 35.
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.
Placer County
Mayors' Institute on City Design
City of Sunnyvale
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), the Department of City and Regional Planning (CRP)
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
City of Portland, ME
Baton Rouge Area Foundation