Developers who submitted a plan for a retail development and then added a big box store to the plan after it had been approved have sued the city of Blacksburg, Virginia, for instituting new planning rules that requires extra governmental approval.
"After more than three hours of arguments from four attorneys Tuesday, Montgomery County Circuit Judge Bobby Turk wished the parties good health and a happy holiday season, then told them they would have to wait up to four more weeks for his ruling. The judge will decide whether Fairmount Properties of Ohio may build a 186,000-square-foot big-box store along Country Club Drive -- widely thought to be a Wal-Mart Supercenter -- without further review from Blacksburg Town Council."
"Rocking back and forth in his chair with glasses dangling from his lips, Turk presided over a courtroom populated by nearly a dozen attorneys and about 40 assorted activists, officials and developers. The judge spent considerable time questioning the town's actions."
"In a case where council grants a rezoning that says "you can do basically whatever you want" but then "changes their mind after money's been expended on the plan ... what protects the landowner?" Turk asked town council attorney Greg Haley."
"The big-box store is part of a 40-acre retail revitalization project planned along South Main Street. Grading for the project has started, turning a strip of blighted businesses into a red clay moonscape at the town's southern gateway. Site plans for a part of the project that does not include the big-box store have been approved by town staff."
"The big-box saga began in 2006 when council, on a 5-2 vote, approved a broad "general commercial" rezoning that made way for Fairmount's project. At the time, Fairmount principal Adam Fishman said the development would include retail and residential buildings. But months later, when developers submitted plans that showed a big-box store on part of the property that had been slated for residential development, the council hastily passed Ordinance 1450. That ordinance requires an extra layer of governmental review before any retail building larger than 80,000 square feet can be built in the town limits."
FULL STORY: Blacksburg big-box case awaits judge's ruling

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?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie