New legislation is intended to avoid repeat of moraine housing fiasco.
While backing down from its election promise to completely scrap a controversial housing development on an ecologically-sensitive moraine feature north of Toronto, Ontario's new Liberal government announced on Friday that the developers have agreed upon changes to the plan. The revised plan will reduce the number of housing units by 900 and significantly increase the amount of remaining green space.To avoid a repeat of the conditions that led to the approval of the moraine housing project, the government also announced substantial changes to the province's Planning Act. The changes appear to be largely intended to undo the misguided reforms introduced by the previous Conservative government in 1996. According to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the new Act will: 1) require that urban expansions be initiated by municipal councils, not developers, 2) double the amount of time available for municipal review of development proposals from 90 to 180 days, and 3) require that municipal planning decisions "be consistent with" provincial planning policies on matters such as smart growth rather than the current and more watered-down "have regard to".
Thanks to Geoffrey Singer
FULL STORY: Government Delivers Bigger, Better Park on Richmond Hill Lands on Oak Ridges Moraine

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

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
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