In accordance with state laws, the transit agency in Houston will have to pay property taxes on land it purchased for transit-oriented developments. Because the land will be developed privately, the law says it is not a public use and is not exempt.
"Todd Mason, Metro vice president of real estate services, responded that the project's benefits in increased transit ridership and eventual tax revenue would outweigh costs in taxes or lost interest stemming from the purchase. And if the project falls through, he said, Metro will probably be able to sell the land at a profit."
"Like other governmental bodies, Metro doesn't pay taxes on property it uses for public purposes."
"But land held for private use is taxable, even if Metro owns it temporarily, said County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt and County Appraisal District Chief Appraiser Jim Robinson."
"'The law is very specific that a political subdivision has to hold property for a public purpose (to qualify for the exemption), and I'm not convinced that what they want to do is a public purpose,' Robinson said."
FULL STORY: Metro can't hold proxy tract tax-free, officials say

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

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

Op-Ed: Looking for Efficiency? Fund Intercity Buses
Much less expensive than rail, intercity buses serve millions of Americans every year, but public subsidies are lacking.

Philadelphia Councilmember Proposes Transit Access Fund
The plan would allocate 0.5 percent of the general fund toward mobility subsidies for low-income households.

Texas Bill Would Ban Road Diets, Congestion Pricing
A Texas state senator wants to prevent any discussion of congestion pricing and could suspend existing bike lane and sidewalk projects.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service