A rezoning plan in Prince George's County, Maryland is receiving strong criticism from residents who worry redevelopment without tenant protections will lead to displacement.
"Lawmakers in Prince George’s County, Maryland, unanimously approved a zoning plan Monday that could entice more development to Langley Park," reports Ally Schweitzer for DCist. But community groups worry that the Countywide Sectional Map Amendment could displace the thousands of low-income immigrant households living in the area.
CASA de Maryland, an immigrant advocacy group, is calling for "a zoning process that values community voices over those of developers," saying that the current plan will push immigrant families out of affordable housing as more luxury developments spring up. Meanwhile, the county is calling the plan an important step forward and says it is working on other affordable housing initiatives outside of the zoning code.
The new zoning plan is designed to align more closely with modern development standards in anticipation of two new light rail lines coming to Langley Park. The rules allow for higher density development in certain neighborhoods, which could lead to more redevelopment of the mid-rise buildings that house current residents, Schweitzer writes. Cheryl Cort, policy director for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, says while upzoning is important, her organization would like to see stronger tenant protections put into place first, and is asking the county to exercise their Right of First Refusal by purchasing multi-unit buildings to preserve as affordable housing.
In neighboring D.C., the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) and District Opportunity to Purchase Act (DOPA) provide similar mechanisms that have helped preserve more than 500 units of affordable housing—a small but significant achievement.
FULL STORY: Prince George’s County Approves Zoning Plan Over Objections From Langley Park Residents
How Cities Are Resisting State Efforts To Increase Density
Cities are attempting to wrest back local control over land use and zoning via some ingenious—and sometimes disingenuous—strategies.
Opinion: Upzoning Isn't Just for Major Streets
The practice of limiting high-density development to busy arterial streets puts renters and low-income households at higher risk for the effects of air and noise pollution created on major roads.
High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA
When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
Parks: Essential Community Infrastructure — and a Smart Investment
Even during times of budget constraint, continued investment in parks is critical, as they provide proven benefits to public health, safety, climate resilience, and community well-being — particularly for under-resourced communities.
Porches, Pets, and the People We Grow Old With
Neighborhood connections and animal companions matter to aging with dignity, and how we build can support them. Here’s a human-scale proposal for aging in place.
Single-Stair Design Contest Envisions Human-Scale Buildings
Single-stair building construction is having a resurgence in the United States, where, for the last several decades, zoning codes have required more than one staircase in multi-story housing developments.
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 Charlotte
Municipality of Princeton
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)