In Houston, the only major U.S. city with no zoning laws, plans to construct a high-rise condo complex in an affluent neighborhood have residents outraged.
"Plans to build a 23-story condominium tower among the million-dollar homes of two stately neighborhoods here has appalled affluent residents and put local politicians in the hot seat."
"Angry residents have hired a lawyer to fight their cause. Houston Mayor Bill White has pledged to use "any appropriate power under law" to scale back or cancel the development. The problem is, without zoning laws to regulate land use, the city can do little to thwart the project other than apply traffic restrictions and write sternly worded letters."
"The project's developers, two Houston natives who grew up just blocks from the site, vow to push forward. They've already received many of the approvals required under the city's current guidelines."
"In most cities, zoning laws would prohibit an intensive commercial use, such as a fast-food restaurant, from setting up shop on a residential street. Houston, however, regulates land use mostly through deed restrictions, which are typically crafted by the developer of a subdivision and apply only to that area, dictating issues such as lot size and construction design. Deed restrictions are usually enforced by civil lawsuits, whereas zoning is a matter of city law."
"Even so, only 30% of Houston's neighborhoods have viable deed restrictions in place, according to City Councilman Peter Brown. The other 70% are mostly low- to moderate-income neighborhoods now 'at risk' of seeing developments move in that residents might oppose, Mr. Brown says."
FULL STORY: Houston's Twilight Zone: Projects Rise in Odd Spots

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?

The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions