A new law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis puts limits on local control of zoning for housing, but could also allow major resorts to bypass zoning regulations and review processes.
A new Florida law, HB 399, takes ‘wide-reaching’ measures to limit local control over zoning issues, reports Jesse Scheckner in Florida Politics.
Framed as a way to increase housing production, “the measure also contains a controversial provision that would create a pathway for certain ‘large destination resorts’ — including a planned pool deck overhaul at the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach — to bypass traditional local review processes.”
The law requires local governments to tie development fees directly to the cost of project review, adopt more objective standards, and work to identify and resolve potential conflicts rather than denying permits, when possible.
FULL STORY: Gov. DeSantis signs sweeping land-use bill curbing local zoning control
California Gives 15 Cities ‘Final Warning’ to Submit Mandatory Housing Plans
Communities are required to produce housing elements that accommodate sufficient housing for all income levels.
Delaware Governor Could Force Cities to Upzone
Gov. Meyer says the state will work with cities to encourage land use reforms that make room for more affordable housing types, but could take stricter measures if jurisdictions don’t comply.
Poll: 2/3 of Virginians Don’t Trust Local Governments to Address Housing Crisis
Three-quarters of residents say the state needs to do more to address housing supply and affordability.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
New Jersey’s second-largest city bans standalone data centers
Jersey City will continue to allow co-location facilities, such as those meant for research institutions that store their own data.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses
Both new services will launch in October, and are part of Phoenix's Project Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association