Following the example set by Sao Paulo, Brazil, the city of Encinitas, California is considering a plan to ban new billboard advertisements within the city.
"Members of the public will have a chance to weigh in Thursday on a proposal to make permanent some changes to the city's sign ordinance that would protect its ban on new billboards."
"On April 23, the City Council adopted a temporary "urgency ordinance" designed to close legal loopholes in Encinitas' existing sign laws. The change, in part, allows owners of existing billboards or other signs to switch their message from a commercial advertisement to some other type of communication.
The City Council adopted the urgency measure after someone asked about a permit for a new billboard in town and the city realized its sign ordinance was not constitutionally sound, officials said.
In other cities, recent court rulings have found that sign ordinances are an unconstitutional restriction on free speech if they don't include a so-called sign message substitution clause.
Pat Murphy, the city's director of Community Development, said businesses have used those rulings to circumvent other cities' ban on billboards. "We have been working on a revised sign ordinance knowing that ours was not constitutionally correct," he said.
The new ordinance also states that existing billboards are exempt from the ban, and that the city may consider agreements allowing those signs to be relocated."
FULL STORY: ENCINITAS: City to consider permanent billboard ban

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
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