In Austin, new ordinances seek growth limits, and aggressive design standards for commercial development.
Austin has focused on altering the big-box landscape as a key to curbing sprawl. The city has adopted design standards and environmental guidelines for commercial development aimed at maintaining the city's unique historic and architectural character.
"Austin's Commercial Design Standards apply to all new construction and redevelopment along major thoroughfares and scenic Hill Country roadways. They address landscaping; materials on exterior facades; building orientation; transit and pedestrian amenities; neighborhood access; lighting; parking; convertibility; signage; design modularity; and screening of loading facilities, mechanical equipment, storage and trash. Boxes, as well as other commercial buildings, must also comply with the citys sustainable building code, which requires integrated solar panels."
Thanks to Peter Slatin
FULL STORY: Big Box Battles

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

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

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The EV “Charging Divide” Plaguing Rural America
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Judge Halts Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal
Lawyers must prove the city was not acting “arbitrarily, capriciously, and illegally” in ordering the hasty removal.

Engineers Gave America's Roads an Almost Failing Grade — Why Aren't We Fixing Them?
With over a trillion dollars spent on roads that are still falling apart, advocates propose a new “fix it first” framework.
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.
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