The new rules aim to make it easier to build small multifamily housing developments.
Grand Rapids, Michigan city officials unanimously approved a package of zoning reforms aimed at increasing the housing supply, reports Michael Kransz in M Live. The city aims to add more than 14,000 new housing units by 2027 to meet rising demand.
According to Kransz, “The broad set of changes apply to residential neighborhoods and will remove some city approvals needed for developers to create multi-family housing developments with six or less apartments in those neighborhoods. It will also remove some city approvals needed to build smaller, independent residential dwelling units attached or detached to homes.” The new rules also eliminate parking requirements for new housing with less than six units and raises the number of unrelated people that can live in a household. City leaders hope these changes will create more opportunities for smaller, infill development projects.
Grand Rapids planners are developing a Community Master Plan to guide development over the next two decades.
FULL STORY: Grand Rapids approves zoning changes to help address ‘housing crisis’

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
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 Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions