Attorney Evan McKenzie explores the world of homeowners' associations and common interest developments, which he says are creating an unfortunate layer of private government over unsuspecting homeowners.
Doris S. Goldstein reviews McKenzie's new book, 
. She says that McKenzie is so strongly against these common interest developments (CIDs) that he appears to be against density on the whole:
"Rarely does McKenzie recognize that CIDs vary tremendously in size and responsibility, nor does he acknowledge that as the institution spread, CIDs encompassed large-lot communities -gated or not - that exacerbated the problem of sprawl."
"McKenzie sets up, and knocks down, several academic arguments for the proliferation of private governments, including neoclassical economics and libertarianism, both of which rely on consumers' free choice."
FULL STORY: The real problem with community associations
Minnesota Senate Passes Bill Reining in HOAs
The bill would set a cap on HOA fines, require disclosure of conflicts of interest, and establish new rules for settling disputes.
New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power
The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.
North Texas HOA Effectively Bans Section 8 Recipients
Housing and civil rights advocates warn that the community’s rule instituting fines on landlords who rent to housing voucher recipients will disproportionately affect Black families.
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.
Can We Please Give Communities the Design They Deserve?
Often an afterthought, graphic design impacts everything from how we navigate a city to how we feel about it. One designer argues: the people deserve better.
The EV “Charging Divide” Plaguing Rural America
With “the deck stacked” against rural areas, will the great electric American road trip ever be a reality?
Judge Halts Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal
Lawyers must prove the city was not acting “arbitrarily, capriciously, and illegally” in ordering the hasty removal.
Engineers Gave America's Roads an Almost Failing Grade — Why Aren't We Fixing Them?
With over a trillion dollars spent on roads that are still falling apart, advocates propose a new “fix it first” framework.
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.
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City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
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