Legislation For Smart Growth Planning

The American Planning Association (APA) is hailing Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.) for reintroducing legislation that would provide $50 million to states, multi-state regional programs, and tribal governments to assist in revising land-use planning legislation and developing comprehensive plans. H.R. 1433, or the Community Character Act (CCA), promotes economic development and community livability through planning reform – something desperately needed in the more than 50 percent of states still using planning laws drafted in the 1920s. And though the need is clear, the CCA does not mandate that states change their existing laws, but seeks to support the process once it is underway. It is expected that Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) will be introducing companion legislation in the Senate shortly.

Thanks to Kim McKeggie