Witness the full force of anti-development animus in Southern California, where at least three cities are facing variety of backlash to the status quo of zoning and development processes.
Leo Duran reports on the anti-density efforts of a sample of cities in Southern California in an article that supports a recent radio show devoted to the subject.
On the recent episode of Take Two, broadcast on a Southern California NPR affiliate KPCC, Leo Duran spoke with Raphael Bostic, a housing expert from the University of Southern California, to discuss the public support for more density.
Duran notes, however, a series of anti-density ballot initiatives, such as:
- A proposed ballot initiative by Stop Manhattanwood "targets zoning rules for large-scale real estate developments in Los Angeles. Also in Los Angeles, but left off the list by Duran, is the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative detailed several times on Planetizen already.
- Then there is the long saga of Huntington Beach, which recently rejected a state mandate "to create a set number of low-income units each year."
- And the latest news: "Activists in Santa Monica are working to put a ballot initiative up for a vote in November" that "would require the public vote to approve any project taller than 32 feet."
The linked article also includes a podcast of the radio report.
FULL STORY: SoCal cities buckle down to fight density

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
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)