A development controversy in Louisville centers on the definition of a conservation subdivision and an environmental threat in the form of an insect known as the emerald ash borer.
James Bruggers reports on a controversy outside Louisville over logging in an area targeted for a conservation subdivision.
"Photographs taken Monday from an airplane show hundreds of logged trees near Floyds Fork on land where developers have been planning to seek approval for a "conservation" subdivision that emphasizes protection of natural areas," according to Bruggers.
Subsequently, city officials "determined that unapproved logging occurred in a zone that's designed to protect Floyds Fork" and ordered the logging to stop.
The area is a hot topic for local planners, after developers "submitted a preliminary application for zoning changes in mid-January on 135 acres of the 448-acre parcel slated for single-family homes. A design map identifies nearly 1,400 lots and an 18-acre commercial area."
The developers purchased the site last fall and entered into a logging contract shortly after. The article quotes developer's attorney saying that the loggers might have gone beyond a simple removal of dead or dying trees under attack by the emerald ash borer. There is also some speculation that the logging might be a threat to the approval fo the pending conservation subdivision.
FULL STORY: City halts logging at Floyds Fork development

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

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

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

Study: 4% of Truckers Lack a Valid Commercial License
Over 56% of inspected trucks had other violations.

Chicago Judge Orders Thousands of Accessible Ped Signals
Only 3% of the city's crossing signals are currently accessible to blind pedestrians.

Philadelphia Swaps Car Lanes for Bikeways in Unanimous Vote
The project will transform one of the handful of streets responsible for 80% of the city’s major crashes.
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.
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)