New York City planners are hoping to use a new anti-paving ordinance to stop residents from creating parking lots out of their front yards.
"After years of lobbying from elected officials and the Queens Civic Congress, the Department of City Planning has come up with a plan to put a halt to the practice of paving over front yards.
Following years of inaction, the department last week distributed its proposal and has given community boards 60 days to comment on the proposed changes to regulations.
City Planning's proposal is for new construction and includes minimum percentages of planting in front yards in R 1-5 zoning districts, based on street frontage and ranging from 20 percent of the yard in narrow lots to 50 percent for lots 60 feet or wider.
Other suggested changes include requiring rear yards for all interior lots, 30 feet of open areas behind every set of rowhouses and prohibiting steeply sloped driveways by setting a maximum slope of 11 percent.
"Obviously, I'm very pleased about this. I've been asking for these changes for about four or five years," Bayside Councilman Tony Avella said."
FULL STORY: Officials And Local Leaders Welcome Anti-Paving Law
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
Local Governments Sue HUD Over Funding Cuts
A new lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration’s revised guidelines for housing and homelessness assistance funds will decimate key programs.
California Is Retooling its AV Guidelines
The California DMV is proposing a new framework for light- and heavy-duty self-driving trucks that would enhance reporting requirements and pave the way for autonomous commercial fleets.
Proposed Boulder Ballot Measures Call for Impact Fees, Affordable Duplexes
Boulder residents are working to put two housing-related proposals on the November ballot.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions