The ongoing evolution of land use regulation related to legal marijuana hit a roadblock in Denver this month, although the city has already allowed nearly unprecedented freedom (in the U.S., at least) to buy, sell, and consume marijuana in the city.

"The Denver City Council on Monday rejected a proposal that would have made it easier to open social-use marijuana business," reports Andrew Kenney.
"The change would have reduced the setbacks required for venues where people can use cannabis," according to Kenney. "Currently, the 'social consumption' businesses must be 1,000 feet from schools, day care facilities, addiction treatment facilities and city recreation centers."
But a 500-foot limit was a bridge too far for the City Council, although a majority of councilmembers did approve the change. A supermajority was needed, however, to change a law approved by voters. One councilmember cautioned, however, that the existing setbacks for social marijuana use might overstep the city's legal authority, and could open the door to a lawsuit.
FULL STORY: Denver council refuses to loosen restrictions on social-use marijuana businesses

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

How Trump's HUD Budget Proposal Would Harm Homelessness Response
Experts say the change to the HUD budget would make it more difficult to identify people who are homeless and connect them with services, and to prevent homelessness.

The Vast Potential of the Right-of-Way
One writer argues that the space between two building faces is the most important element of the built environment.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk
High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont