A Massachusetts smart growth incentive has enabled a Boston suburb to change its zoning laws to allow developers to build mixed-use developments without applying for special permits. Now other towns want in, but there might not be enough funding.
"Developers who might want to build a mix of apartments and stores in Brockton's struggling downtown now can do so without getting any special zoning permits."
"The city revamped its zoning this summer by approving a new district under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40R, the state's three-year-old initiative aimed at promoting smart growth and affordable housing. The state promises cash to communities that use the law, and Brockton is now eligible for a $600,000 incentive grant."
"'It looks like a win-win for the city,' said Brockton City Planner Nancy Stack Savoie. 'We are looking at this as a way of setting the table for new development in downtown Brockton. We have great hopes for 40R.'"
"But local and state officials are watching closely to see if the Legislature replenishes a fund that has provided the monetary incentives to help persuade local governments to adopt Chapter 40R."
FULL STORY: Housing deal gets popular
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.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
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” philosophy.
The European Cities That Love E-Scooters — And Those That Don’t
Where they're working, where they're banned, and where they're just as annoying the tourists that use them.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
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)