Local Control
Trump Creates Council to Study 'Eliminating Barriers to Affordable Housing Development'
President Trump is scheduled to sign an executive order today that will create a federal-level group to study the obstructionist practices of local governments and the potential for a federal response.
Strong Reactions to New York Rent Control Changes
Rounding up the numerous reactions to a law approved by the New York State Legislature this month making 'landmark' changes to rent control regulations in New York City.
Texas Preempts Local Rules on Building Materials
Local governments didn't want the Texas State Legislature to approved HB 2439, but now the bill is officially law. Some communities worry that they can no longer control the aesthetics of new development.
Opponents Winning the Fundraising Battle Ahead of Anti-Development Measure in Colorado
Fundraisers have been busy in an effort to defeat the anti-development measures included in Question 200, which will appear before voters in Lakewood, Colorado in July.
'Landmark' Rent Protections Deal Moving Forward in New York
The New York State Legislature has made a deal paving the way for local governments to approve rent regulations—a degree of local control that was previously impossible in the state.
Poll: On Housing, Californians Want What the Legislature Won't Give
"This particular solution, which has been very controversial in the Legislature, is not very controversial when it comes to the general public."
For Lack of Density: Ontario Rejects Toronto's Downtown Plan
Local control loses ground to provincial preemption north of the border.
State Preemption and Electric Scooters
The great battle between local control and state preemption shifts focus again in California. This time micromobility, electric scooters and the like, are on the front line of the conflict.
Choosing Incentives Over Mandates for Minimum Urban Densities
Washington's House Bill 1923 is one of a number of bills under consideration this year on the West Coast that attempts to leverage the power of the state for the sake of new development.
Opinion: Less Is More When it Comes to Politics in Planning
A proposal from the provincial government of Ontario would revive an appeals process for planning and development processes in Toronto. An elected official and former planner writes to oppose the idea.
4 Regulatory Complications of 5G Infrastructure Development
The implementation of 5G Internet infrastructure raises fundamental questions about how private companies operate in the public realm. Don't expect easy answers.
Slow-Growth Measure Headed to the Ballot in Colorado's Fifth-Largest City
Voters in Lakewood, Colorado, have a chance to enact anti-development policies that would place new limits on the number of new housing units that could be built in the city, while also placing new controls on the approvals process.
Finding Ways for States and Cities to Work Together to Solve the Housing Crisis
The National League of Cities has a new report surveying local tools for addressing the housing affordability crisis. State partnerships are included.
More States Look to Expand Tenant Protections
Cities and states around the country are reconsidering decades-old bans on rent control.
Zoning Reform Gets Another Try as Massachusetts Wrestles With Housing Crunch
Strong support for local control has made statewide legislation to address the housing affordability crisis difficult to approve in the Bay State.
Parking Tax Considered to Fund Pedestrian Improvements Around Transit Stations
New Jersey is considering a law that would give cities the option of implementing a new 3.5% parking tax on public and private parking facilities.
Making Historic Preservation a Local Concern
The city of Portland wants more local control when it comes to determining matters of historic preservation.
Local Governments Weigh-in on Oregon's Statewide Upzoning Proposal
Local planners and elected officials are expressing their opinions about Oregon's House Bill 2001, which would allow fourplexes on single-family residential units around the state.
Local Control Proposed to Halt Toll Road Progress in Maryland
State legislators want counties to be able to veto toll projects proposed by Governor Larry Hogan.
Wisconsin County Completes First Comprehensive Zoning Code Rewrite in 70-Plus Years
Dane County, Wisconsin, which includes the city of Madison, has rewritten its zoning code to address a changing economy and a state-mandated system of local control.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
