A bill filed in early February would prohibit local governments in North Carolina from regulating the appearance of single family homes and duplexes.
Under North Carolina House Bill 36 and Senate Bill 25, design regulations would no longer apply to single family homes and duplexes without consent from neighborhood groups and property owners. The proposal includes some exceptions related to structural safety, historic preservation, and flood insurance programs, but the proposal is otherwise far-reaching, to be applied locally across a range of land uses, permitting classifications and zone districts.
In commercial districts (not included in the proposal), design regulations help ensure the form, appearance, and scale of new development is consistent with desired community character. In residential settings, design regulations help encourage variation, for example to discourage cookie-cutter development patterns in new subdivisions. The proposal is a backlash to more stringent design regulations used in some municipalities, which some feel are excessive.
The residential design standards legislation was introduced alongside another measure which would limit local government powers. House Bill 51 would end the use of extra-jurisdictional control. This refers to land use authority extending to areas just beyond city borders. In many instances these controls help facilitate transition from urban to rural character, for example in stepping-down density allowances. And if city services and infrastructure extend beyond city boundaries, it can make more sense for the municipality to administer local land use regulations. Some feel however, that because affected property owners cannot exercise voting power in the controlling jurisdiction, the practice is unwarranted.
All three proposals passed their first readings and have been referred to local government committees for further review.
FULL STORY: Cities, towns fight NC legislation that would limit their authority
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.