Despite California's sluggish economy and high housing prices, impact fees continue to rise -- and it could lead to a voter revolt.
The economy is sluggish and housing prices continue to climb, yet buildersare constructing more units than they have in a decade and local governmentsare levying larger impact fees than ever before. This is not the normalcourse of events, according to California Planning & Development ReportPublisher William Fulton. "Throughout California, fees are not going down. They're going up. And, most significantly, they're going way up in the inexpensive inland areas that have, until now, enthusiastically accepted the spillover housing growth from coastal areas. It's indicative of a new trend in California growth policy piling on several layers of fees and it could lead to the next Proposition 13-style revolt."
Thanks to Paul Shigley
FULL STORY: Despite Economic Slowdown, Housing Impact Fees Continue To Rise

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