In September, the city of Longmont, Colorado approved new land use and zoning laws. By April, developers were proposing thousands of residential units and hundreds of thousands of square feet in commercial space.
Longmont, Colorado is described as a traditionally rural community, currently challenged by quick growth and booming real estate costs.
To keep up with the changes, the city in September 2018 enacted new zoning and land development codes for the first time in 17 years. Now the first development proposals under the new laws are working through the system, "providing a glimpse into the future," according to an article by John Spina:
In order to minimize sprawl and preserve as much open space as possible, the city decided to focus new housing units into five new mixed-use districts throughout the city, incentivizing four-story buildings, greater density and more affordable housing along major thoroughfares and business corridors.
If successful, those changes will transform Longmont from a mid-sized town into a bustling metropolis with large walkable business districts.
The development enabled by the new zoning code, implemented to achieve that vision, is quickly arriving for review by Longmont Planning and Development Services. "As of April, there were 39 active development proposals," according to Spina. "If all of the projects are approved, more than 1,700 apartments and townhomes would be created, 400 more than all of the housing approved in the previous year."
More details about what these projects will deliver in the quickly transforming town between Boulder and Fort Collins are included in the source article.
FULL STORY: New zoning regulations feed development boom, spur change
Sioux Falls Multi-Family Development Outpaces Transportation Improvements
Sioux Falls, South Dakota is undergoing a multi-family development boom. Residents are increasingly concerned about the traffic the development brings, according to local news reports.
Transit-Oriented Development Central to D.C. Region's Growth Plan
Transit-oriented development will play a key role in mitigating the congestion effects of growing population in the region around the nation's capital, and regional planners say the region is already achieving its goals.
Rapid Growth and a Small Town Recall Effort
A group of organizers in the small town of Elizabeth, Colorado (population 1,700) wants to recall its entire City Council as an act of defiance in the face of rapid change and growth.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
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)