Sixty-nine percent of Florida's voters approved an amendment to the State's Constitution to limit government ability to take property for private development. How will this homeowner victory impact the revitalization efforts of cities?
Amendment 8 to Florida's Constitution -- limiting eminent domain -- seemed to be the one issue that united political partisans during last week's elections, because it passed overwhelmingly. Supporters were pleased. "This draws a line in the sand and restores the balance of power for property owners to where it should be," said Carol Saviak, Executive Director of the Orlando-based Coalition for Property Rights.
According to many officials, the action is potentially crippling to local redevelopment plans. "One day in the near future, Floridians are going to wake up and realize they've been duped," said Michael Brown, the Mayor of Riviera Beach who wants to use eminent domain to clear the way for a multi million-dollar redevelopment effort in his city. "Local governments were finally trying to use eminent domain the way it was supposed to be used. Now the politicians have pulled the rug out from under them."
Thanks to Sheryl Stolzenberg
FULL STORY: Crimping eminent domain

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

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

Cincinnati School District Shifts Students to Public Transit to Cut Costs
Over 10,000 Cincinnati Public Schools students already use public buses for school transportation each year.

Raleigh Pilots App-Based Feedback Program for Accessible Parking
The city is using the program to collect real-time information about accessibility issues and correct them quickly.

Texas Safety Advocates Raise Alarm in Advance of Tesla Robotaxi Launch
The company plans to deploy self-driving taxis in Austin with no oversight from state or local transportation agencies.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)