In Virginia Beach, VA, homeowner Herbert Harris was told that the wheelchair ramp and extra bedroom he was building for his wife and ill daughter needed building permits. Thus began a trip down the rabbit hole of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
"In November, a Circuit Court decision raised the legal threshold for granting variances. Establishing "undue hardship" - the justification for making exceptions - had become increasingly important.
City staffers recommended that all the variances heard Wednesday be denied because they didn't meet the new standard.
Welcome to the imperfect world of the Board of Zoning Appeals, where folks who want to build an addition, a deck or a porch become intimately familiar with the maze of city zoning laws, and where 18 inches can mean the difference between keeping or losing your new shed.
Members of the zoning appeals board are appointed to five-year terms by the City Council and essentially act as a panel of judges. They enforce the code while allowing for common-sense flexibility and exceptions.
"The hardship was, we're sympathetic," board member Joan Wright said.
"Sorry. Not good enough," replied Wilson, who never did hear a legal-hardship explanation for the case.
In November, a Circuit Court decision raised the legal threshold for granting variances. Establishing "undue hardship" - the justification for making exceptions - had become increasingly important."
FULL STORY: Va. Beach presses zoning board to follow stricter standard
‘Smart Surfaces’ Policy Guide Offers Advice for Building and Maintaining Urban Tree Canopies
Healthy, robust tree canopies can reduce the impacts of extreme heat and improve air quality.
Opinion: California’s SB 79 Would Improve Housing Affordability and Transit Access
A proposed bill would legalize transit-oriented development statewide.
Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.
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.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service