A 650-home development planned for Majestic Oaks, a 433 acre cow pasture that was rezoned for residential use 15 years ago is environmentally friendly, according to its developer -- but not according to a planner living in the area.
'Environmentally, this is a very friendly project,' said developer Tom Bronson. That's not the opinion of two residents pushing for smarter growth. 'It's pretty consistent with good old-fashioned sprawl,' said Eugene Kelly, a planner with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Along with another district employee, Kelly has given presentations explaining the differences between good and bad development patterns. Because it houses more people on less land, high-density development is generally favored by planners, but only if it is near other densely developed or commercial area, Kelly said. The rural surroundings leave inefficient options for serving residents of the proposed subdivision, according to Kelly."
Thanks to Sheryl Stolzenberg
FULL STORY: Rezoning quietly goes before commission
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie