A landowner in suburban Atlanta who had planned to sell his property to Wal-Mart is now suing the city of Duluth over a big-box moratorium that he claims is not in the best interest of the city.
"A landowner who wants to sell 27 acres to Wal-Mart says he plans to file a $25 million lawsuit against Duluth after the city imposed a six-month moratorium on big-box developments."
"Former Gov. Roy Barnes represents the landowner, Jack Bandy, whose 27-acre parcel on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Gwinnett County is where Wal-Mart wants to build a 176,305-square-foot Supercenter."
"Barnes said in a letter the city received Friday that the city acted improperly by imposing the moratorium."
"Bandy was poised to sell his land to Wal-Mart once city planners cleared them to build the store."
"Amid the heated debate over the Wal-Mart Supercenter, the Duluth City Council imposed a six-month moratorium on big-box developments on July 30."
"'This ordinance was not passed for the general health and welfare of the citizens of Duluth,' the letter says, 'but with the specific intent to delay, hinder and frustrate Bandy and Wal-Mart...'"
FULL STORY: Landowner will sue Duluth over big-box moratorium

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

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
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