Developers and concerned residents tussle in Orange County, California, as a property meant to host an art museum moves toward redevelopment as high-rise luxury condos instead.
"It never was the intent of Irvine Company to see its gifts to public culture turn into a private development. We hope the City of Newport Beach will continue to use the entire property as intended, for cultural purposes." So reads a statement from the Irvine Company about a Newport Beach property it donated to the Orange County Museum of Art in 1977.
As it moves to Costa Mesa, "the museum has entered into an agreement to sell its Newport Center site to Related California Urban Housing, LLC." On the site, Related has proposed Museum House, a 25-story, 100-unit residential project. Units will sell for $2-4 million each.
On Oct. 20, the Newport Beach Planning Commission approved the project. And now, the Newport Beach City Council has also approved the controversial plan. Local residents are joining the Irvine Company's objections with protests of their own, citing concerns about density and traffic around the Newport Center commercial district.
Read the full story: Irvine Co. Voices Objection to Museum House
Florida developer uses Live Local Act to bypass zoning rules for massive waterfront project
The proposed Causeway Cove project would include over 900 residential units and more than 400 hotel rooms.
Austin's Tallest Tower Rising Quickly
Sixth and Guadalupe, which will top out at 875 feet, will soon be crowned the tallest building in Austin, and the fifth-tallest building in Texas.
Acting Mayor Pulls Boston's Downtown Harbor Plan
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
Atlanta City Council unanimously backs $3.5 billion Beltline light rail project
The resolution was drafted after Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens pulled support for the Atlanta Streetcar extension last year.
SEPTA to bring nearby frequent transit to over 1 million new riders as part of decade-long plan
The agency's Accelerate plan will also bring frequent transit to twice the amount of jobs that are currently located near it.
NYC plants over 18,000 trees, the most new foliage in a decade
Many of the trees were planted in communities vulnerable to extreme heat.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
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The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello