According to a survey by the San Francisco Chronicle, redevelopment agencies in the Bay Area and throughout the state very rarely use their powers of eminent domain to take private residences for redevelopment purposes.
"The Chronicle canvassed the Bay Area's 80 redevelopment agencies -- the local agencies charged with rehabilitating downtrodden neighborhoods and promoting economic development -- because the main argument advanced by supporters of a property rights initiative on Tuesday's state ballot is that Proposition 90 will stop governments from taking people's houses on behalf of developers"
Only two owner-occupied bay area homes have been acquired through government use of eminent domain in the last decade.
"Opponents say Prop. 90 backers are scaring California homeowners to promote a measure that would raise costs for revitalizing blighted urban areas and limit governments' ability to control land use."
Read the full story: Survey of Bay Area agencies finds only 2 homes taken over past decade
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms
The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.
Democrats’ victory may threaten act to expedite energy projects
Democrats may decide to vote against the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, and negotiate a more favorable bill once the 120th Congress begins.
Voters choose public transit, approve $31 billion in funding
Approved projects include $101,000 for reduced-cost transit in a Michigan town and $14 billion for regional transit in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority