The second homes that once laid dormant much of the year, waiting for the next summer or winter vacation getaway, are now a desirable location for baby boomers to retire.
Archie Ingersoll reports that "over the next 10 years, as the baby boomer generation ages, more seasonal residents are expected to transition into year-round lake life, according to a University of Minnesota report released last year."
"Through a survey, researchers found that 56 percent of second-home owners in Otter Tail, Becker, Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Pope and Douglas counties -- an estimated 46,000 households -- have plans to eventually live there full time," reports Ingersoll of this collection of counties in the state of Minnesota.
The article goes into more detail about the consequences of these trends, including a strain on healthcare resources in these areas. Another consequence: home remodels that add more "impervious surfaces like rooftops, driveways and sidewalks, and leaves less natural vegetation to filter rain and keep runoff containing sediment and fertilizers out of the [area's lakes]."
FULL STORY: As baby boomers age, more cabin owners expected to become full-timers at Minnesota lakes

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.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie