California

Public Opinion Split on I-710 Tunnel Plans in Southern California

The public comment period has ended on one of Southern California's most persistent planning controversies—a proposal to connect the I-710 Freeway between Pasadena and Alhambra. The current plan calls for a long underground tunnel.

August 25, 2015 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Unlikely Sector Supports Increased California Fuel Taxes

Anti-tax, business groups are backing plans to fill the road budget shortfall by increasing fuel taxes and registration fees, but they want general fund dollars diverted to the road budget as well.

August 25, 2015 - Sacramento Business Journal

Light Rail Extension to South Sacramento County Opens Today

Observers are closely monitoring whether a hotly contested light rail extension into Elk Grove and South Sacramento County lives up to its promise.

August 24, 2015 - Sacramento Bee

Gray Wolves Return to the Golden State—After 91 Years

Two adults and five pups have been photographed in Northern California by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. They are protected by the federal and state Endangered Species Act, which is credited for their return.

August 24, 2015 - San Mateo County Times

Is the Local NFL Team Hurting the Local College Team and the Local Economy?

Studies show building NFL stadiums drain tax revenues and don't boost local economies. What about NFL teams themselves? Land use attorney (and football fan) Bill Adams argues that they rob support from local college teams and local economies.

August 24, 2015 - UrbDeZine

The Passing of One of the Bay Area's Most Effective Bicycle Advocates

Deb Hubsmith, who went from executive director of the Marin Bicycle Coalition to state and federal bicycle advocacy positions, passed away on August 18. She was known throughout California as being a tireless force for the advancement of bicycling.

August 24, 2015 - Marin Independent Journal

Santa Monica Route 66

Santa Monica Nixes Mixed-Use Development in Favor of Suburban-Style Office Park

A hotly contested development in the coastal enclave of Santa Monica, CA—soon to be blessed with light rail access to the rest of the region—has produced less-than-ambitious results.

August 23, 2015 - Santa Monica Next

Two L.A. River Experts On Funding, Governance, and Gehry

Los Angeles made progress toward revitalizing the L.A. River when the preferred restoration plan won an important approval. But the project also saw a jump in price and a change in cost-share, leaving some wondering where the money will come from.

August 21, 2015 - The Planning Report

California Cap-And-Trade Surprise: Cash Flows Out-of-State to Reduce Emissions

California industries are buying offsets in lieu of purchasing carbon allowances or reducing carbon emissions, and most of the offsets are spent out-of-state, assisting the recipients economically as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

August 21, 2015 - KQED: California Report

San Francisco Breaking Down Silos to Plan for Resilience

As San Francisco's Chief Resilience Officer, Patrick Otellini’s job is to beef up city defenses against crises—a broad mandate that has him tackling seismic safety and water security through capital planning, utilities, and housing affordability.

August 20, 2015 - The Planning Report

Los Angeles Freeway

Next Steps for the City of Freeways

It is difficult to imagine a time when Los Angeles' freeways symbolized access, efficiency, and modernity. Now that the city's love affair with freeways is nearly spent, what future do we envision for them?

August 19, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Rental Construction

Escaping the Cycle of Inflated Housing Costs

In an insightful article, William Fulton unpacks the supply-demand cycle driving costs skyward in certain areas. To address the problem, new construction needs an unprecedented level of diversity.

August 18, 2015 - California Planning & Development Report

Hotel California

Sacramento's Careful Approach to Legitimizing Airbnb

The battles in New York and San Francisco have cities like Sacramento preparing for the growth of the home-sharing economy.

August 18, 2015 - Sacramento Business Journal

Ventura County

Mapping (and Ranking) the Natural Amenities of U.S. Counties

Wonkblog illustrates the results of a "Natural Amenities Index" created by the federal government.

August 18, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Density Bonuses Proposed in High-Demand San Francisco Neighborhoods

The San Francisco Planning Department is proposing new densities in certain neighborhoods in exchange for building new units for low- and middle-income residents.

August 17, 2015 - San Francisco Business Times

Bay Area Leads the Nation in Reducing Solo Commuters

According to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey on commuting to work, one subregion in the Bay Area can claim accolades for having achieved the largest drop in solo-commuting from 2006, scoring the third lowest drive-alone rate in 2013.

August 17, 2015 - The Sacramento Bee - Capitol Alert

Lawns and Suburban Homes

Sacramento Reconsiders Ban on Artificial Turf

Brown lawns may be less aesthetically pleasing than synthetic lawns, but are they safer?

August 16, 2015 - Sacramento Bee

Lafayette BART

Bay Area Town: 44 Single-Family Homes on a Site Once Considered for 315 Apartments

Lafayette provides a case study of the San Francisco Bay Area housing market.

August 15, 2015 - Contra Costa Times

Condition on San Diego's New Airport Parking Lot: Make Sure People Don't Use It

A deal between the San Diego International Airport and the California Coastal Commission will pave the way for a 3,000-space parking garage—in the hopes that people don’t use it.

August 14, 2015 - Voice of San Diego

Small Starts Funding Cut Jeopardizes Critical SMART Train Extension

After a Senate committee slashed the Small Starts grant program, the new Marin-Sonoma "SMART" train may not be extended from San Rafael to the Larkspur ferry landing, a critical link enabling rail commuters to take the ferry to San Francisco.

August 14, 2015 - Marin Independent Journal

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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