Concerns about out-of-character construction, much of it oversized, has led the Los Angeles City Council to prohibit construction of additional 'McMansions.' In some areas, all new development will be held up for two years.

Last month, the Los Angeles City Council moved to restrict one kind of development loathed by urbanists and preservationists alike: McMansions. The Neighborhood Conservation Interim Control Ordinance, in effect for the next two years, sets limits on the size of new single-family homes in 15 neighborhoods. Five additional districts will endure a temporary ban on all building and demolition permits.
This isn't the first time Los Angeles rebuked the McMansion: "In 2008, the City Council passed the so-called 'mansionization ordinance,' which was intended to control the size of new homes in Los Angeles. But loopholes in the ordinance allowed larger homes to rise, prompting passage of Wednesday’s temporary law."
The ordinance will stem new McMansion construction—to the displeasure of some—at least until city planners release a new set of zoning codes in about 18 months.
FULL STORY: No more 'McMansions’ in Los Angeles for two years, says council

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop
When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

Can Geothermal Energy Fuel Hawaiʻi’s Future?
Gavin Murphy, a New Zealand-based consultant with experience in indigenous-led geothermal projects, argues that Hawaiʻi is poised to achieve energy independence and economic growth by respectfully developing its untapped geothermal resources.

Climate Gardening: Cultivating Resilient Landscapes in Los Angeles
TreePeople’s 4th Annual Urban Soil Symposium explored how climate gardening, soil health, and collaborative land management strategies can enhance urban resilience in the face of climate change.

Electric Surge: EV Chargers Outnumber Gas Nozzles in California
California now has 48% more electric vehicle chargers than gasoline nozzles, reflecting its rapid shift toward clean transportation and aggressive zero-emission goals despite federal pushback.
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