California Planning & Development Report columnist Morris Newman doesn't think much of the Disney Company's attempts to prevent housing development in Anaheim's resort district.
"Disney has campaigned vigorously against a 1,500-unit housing development proposed by SunCal, an Orange County homebuilder, slated for a site now containing two mobile home parks near Disneyland and related attractions. Fifteen percent of SunCal's units (a whopping 225 in all) are earmarked for low-income people, such as the majority of Disneyland employees. The rub is that the new housing would overlap a district known as the Anaheim Resort. This area includes the Disney attractions as well as the city's convention center and surrounding touristy areas."
"Why is Disney so averse to housing? I think it is the fear of losing control of its surroundings. The company, of course, has a legitimate interest in the design and compatibility of the housing. Rather than negotiate with the developer like a civilized organization, however, Disney wants to put the kibosh on the entire housing effort simply because Disney itself neither owns nor controls it."
Thanks to Paul Shigley
FULL STORY: California Planning & Development Report

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap
The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan
Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont