This is a true story.
DISCLAIMER: This is a true story, but I do not pretend that it has great social significance. Just one of those many "lighter moments" in a planning career.
I was in my home state of Colorado, at a zoning board meeting. I do not recall why I was there (it must have worked out satisfactorily, or I would remember). I do remember one case that the board heard, however.
Colorado generally adheres to the "hardship" rule for variances. The board that evening had heard several cases and asked about the hardships in each. Late in the agenda, they called the case of a man who had been watching and listening attentively. He had a single-family home on a 7,500 square foot lot (numbers are vague in my memory, but numbers I use illustrate the point of the story) in a district that required a 6,000 square foot lot. That district allowed duplexes on 9,000 square feet. It did not allow mobile homes. He wanted to put a mobile home in his back yard, which, of course, required a lot-size variance, a variance on the type of structure, and some dimensional variances from setbacks. He was ready to tell his story.
"Well, it's about my mother in law. She's getting along in years. My wife has two sisters and a brother, but they all moved away and they never do anything useful for their mother. So my wife has to look after her. She's getting to the stage that she really cannot live on her own anymore. If you knew my mother-in-law, you would know that living in the same house with her would be a REAL hardship......"
The board granted the variance.
10-Story Apartment Project Tests the Limits of Minneapolis' New Comprehensive Plan
A proposed development in Minneapolis would add affordable units in exchange for extra height. A neighborhood group worries about the precedent the project would set.
Houston Supportive Housing Development Sparks Debate
Critics say a proposed apartment building would negatively impact the neighborhood’s walkability.
Newark Announces Supplemental Zoning Board
The temporary board will help speed up the application review process during a development boom.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
