In Golden, Colorado, residents want to keep a parcel of land as open space, but it could come with a hefty price tag.
"City officials are warning that a recently launched citizen petition designed to keep a prominent and picturesque parcel of land on the western fringe of the metro area [of Golden in Colorado] free of commercial development could cost taxpayers up to $5 million as part of a legal showdown over property rights," reports John Aguilar.
Golden Overlook is a 27-acre vacant area, and the owner of the property wants to build storage spaces and warehouses on the land. But residents want to see Golden Overlook kept as open space.
The property is zoned for commercial use, and any regulatory taking of the land would require that the city compensate the landowner, which could amount to up to $5 million, a significant amount of the city budget.
"The effort comes at a time when the rapid pace of development throughout the metro area has led to pushback and resistance from those bemoaning a sense of lost natural space in the face of increased urbanization," says Aguilar.
FULL STORY: Desire to safeguard vacant land in Golden could cost taxpayers up to $5 million
Charlottesville Temporarily Has No Zoning Code
A judge ordered the Virginia city to throw out its newly revised zoning code, leaving permitting for new development in legal limbo.
Texas Bills Aim to Tackle Housing Affordability
One proposed bill would raise the threshold for neighbor opposition to new development.
California Bills Would Clarify, Restrict ‘Builder’s Remedy’
The controversial law lets developers skirt local zoning rules in cities without state-approved housing plans.
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