When it comes to housing construction, the best intentions of regulators aren't always enough to sway the market.
"Few developers are taking advantage of new Ontario rules that allow for taller wood-frame buildings," reports Luke Simcoe. "The reason? They can’t find the right wood."
A new development called Heartwood the Beach in Toronto will be the first project to take advantage of regulations implemented in January 2015 that "allow for six-storey wood buildings instead of the previous four storeys." The rules were intended to introduce new forms to the city's skyline and lower the cost of building mid-rise residential stock.
The specialty lumber required to build at these new heights, however, has made it difficult for developers to realize those cost savings.
FULL STORY: Wood construction still lagging in Toronto, despite rule change

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
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