In a huge blow to a city already polarized by a ballot-box planning initiative affecting open space on the November ballot, a judge has halted downtown redevelopment by rejecting the Environmental Impact Report in part because of the 'shadow effect'.
"San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Marie S. Weiner threw out Redwood City's certification of the Downtown Precise Plan's environmental impact report and said the city cannot issue any building permits under the plan until it fixes the deficiencies in the report.
Weiner sided with (plantiffs) who filed the suit claiming the city failed to consider the plan's potential to create shadows from tall buildings and impact the city's historic resources.
Weiner had issued a tentative ruling April 24 drawing the same conclusions about the documents for the plan, which she called an attempt to "Manhattanize" downtown with 2,500 new units of high-density housing plus retail and office space."
---------------------------------------------------------
From Oakland Tribune via BNET:
"Add the Redwood City Council to the growing list of opponents of a November ballot measure that would require referendums on open space land-use decisions.
With a formal resolution, the council Monday night made official its contempt for Measure W, also known as Open Space Vote, which would require two-thirds of resident voters to approve development in areas the measure defines as "open space."
Council members in recent months have lamented that proponents of the initiative -- environmental groups Save the Bay and the Friends of Redwood City -- didn't write a measure specifically targeting the Cargill Salt lands, a 1,433-acre area east of Highway 101 that the groups acknowledge is their primary focus."
FULL STORY: Redwood City faces decision on downtown plan
In Defense of Uncertainty in the Development Approval Process
While streamlining and anti-NIMBYism are in vogue, Murtaza Baxamusa reminds us what's really at stake.
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)