A scenic ordinance system that rewards natural-looking designs is upheld by the court.
" 'Originally homes were set back in trees and single stories. The trend is to knock them down and rebuild them, trying to maximize the square footage, make them as close to the lake as possible and wide and high as possible.' To counter that, the scenic ordinance set up a point system that rewarded natural-looking designs that blend with the surroundings and penalized those featuring lots of glass, bright colors or unbroken lines... If a house doesn't score enough points, it can't be built. The 70-page opinion by Judge Edward Reed rejected arguments that the restrictions amounted to a property taking..."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Lake Tahoe Planners Win Limits on 'Monster Houses'

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

House Committee Proposes $250 EV Tax
The fee is higher than the average tax paid by gas-powered vehicle owners.

Minnesota Senate Passes Bill Reining in HOAs
The bill would set a cap on HOA fines, require disclosure of conflicts of interest, and establish new rules for settling disputes.

Where USDOT Awarded $3.2 Billion in Grants
The department announced awards for projects that include intercity rail, low-emission buses, and tech-driven transit improvements.
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.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions