Congress is working on increasing height limits in Washington D.C. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California) based pitching increased the limits by appealing to that fundamental American passion: football.
From a recent report by Hannah Hess: “Wooing Washington’s National Football League franchise back to the city would be easier if D.C. would lift its building height limits, according to Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.” Issa’s appeal, however, isn’t about the height of the football stadium, but the economic capacity of a neighborhood around a potential pro sports stadium.
“Go to many of the new stadiums that have been built,” Rep. Issa (the House Oversight and Government Reform chairman) said recently. “They’re often built with buildings that are part of the plan.”
According to Hess, “Issa’s home state provides one example. In California, construction of San Diego’s Petco Park, home to Major League Baseball’s Padres, led to more than $2 billion in new investment in the surrounding neighborhood, including the luxurious Omni Hotel connected to the stadium via a suspension sky bridge.”
The appeal by Rep. Issa might be considered a bit of a “Statue of Liberty” play. “D.C. officials have expressed plenty of interest in luring the area football team back inside city limits with new development — but they seem to have no love for new vertical growth.”
FULL STORY: Issa: Lifting Height Limits Could Lure Pro Football to D.C.
Congress Inching Toward Small Changes to D.C. Height Restrictions
A strange scene this week: members of Congress discussing height restrictions in one of the country's largest urban centers. In the end, a House committee approved a bill that would loosen D.C.’s century-old Height of Buildings Act.
Push to Loosen D.C. Height Limits Gains Momentum
Tim Craig reports on a new push by federal and city officials to relax Washington D.C.'s building height restrictions, reopening decades-old debates about the look, feel and character of the city.
Is it Time to Revise D.C.’s Height Act?
The century-old rule has shaped the District’s iconic horizontal skyline, but some Council members say it need revision in light of the region’s growing housing crisis.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
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
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont