Dane County, Wisconsin, which includes the city of Madison, has rewritten its zoning code to address a changing economy and a state-mandated system of local control.
Dane County, the second-most populous county in the state of Wisconsin, has completed a three-year process to overhaul its zoning code. It's the first time in 70-plus years of zoning that the country has undertaken a comprehensive overwrite of its zoning.
Jennifer Fetterly reports that towns in the county will have the option to opt out of the new zoning code if they choose. A state law passed in 2015 allows towns to opt out of county zoning codes. Many local counties already opt out, contracting zoning enforcement services to consultants, according to Fetterly.
The rewrite, "modernizes district designations, recognizes recent land use trends, expands economic opportunity for rural residents and continues to protect agricultural and natural resources," according to Fetterly's explanation of the changes.
FULL STORY: Dane County completes three-year zoning ordinance overhaul
Residential Zoning Changes Make Room for Chickens
Yes in my backyard—for chickens.
Vermont Next State in Line to End Single-Family Zoning, Ease Parking Requirements
Both houses in the Vermont Legislature have approved legislation to preempt local land use regulations by rescinding single-family zoning and easing parking requirements throughout the state.
Landmark Land Use Bill Fails in Colorado Legislature
Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s effort to allow for more housing construction by preempting local control of zoning failed to achieve the required level of political support in the state legislature.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
Study: 4% of Truckers Lack a Valid Commercial License
Over 56% of inspected trucks had other violations.
Chicago Judge Orders Thousands of Accessible Ped Signals
Only 3% of the city's crossing signals are currently accessible to blind pedestrians.
Philadelphia Swaps Car Lanes for Bikeways in Unanimous Vote
The project will transform one of the handful of streets responsible for 80% of the city’s major crashes.
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.
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)