California

L.A. Ousts a Car Lane for Bikes

The unfathomable happened this week in Southern California when L.A. converted 2.2 miles of road into a bike lane that stretches along 7th Street from Koreatown to Downtown.

September 10, 2011 - The Los Angeles Times

"Parklets" Pop Up in Vancouver

Transplanting the wildly popular pilot projects in NYC and SF across the northern border, the City launches VIVA Vancouver program that converts parts of eight streets into public spaces.

September 9, 2011 - THE DIRT

Berkley Dumpster House Provides Basic Essentials and Some Bling

Berkley, California man Gregory Kloehn has taken the dumpster reuse culture to a whole other level with his dumpster house, writes Zak Stone for GOOD.

September 7, 2011 - GOOD Magazine

All That Glitters in Provincetown, Mass.

With same-sex couples coming out in record-breaking number on the 2010 Census, West Hollywood and San Francisco are dethroned as the meccas of gay cities - at least for those who chose to settle down.

September 3, 2011 - The New York Times

Making the Door Zone Safe for Bikers

The door danger zone- where cars and cyclists intersect - is getting a revamp in San Francisco, highlighting how little room there is on the streets for all users.

September 2, 2011 - Grist.org

Analyst Says Economic Benefit of L.A. Stadium Would Be Minimal

As the city of Los Angeles considers a plan to allow construction of a football stadium downtown, some have called into question the economic projections of developers.

September 1, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

All-Door Boarding Considered for SF Transit

Transit officials in San Francisco are considering a plan to allow transit riders to board through all doors of buses in an attempt to cut delays.

September 1, 2011 - San Francisco Chronicle

City of Vernon Escapes Disincorporation

A bill to forcibly disband the tiny city of Vernon, California and incorporate it into Los Angeles County failed to pass earlier this week on concerns that it would economically weaken the county.

August 31, 2011 - The Los Angeles Times

The Tea Party Goes Too Far in Ventura

Local Tea Party activists gather 10,000 signatures to place an initiative on the ballot to remove Ventura's new parking meters, only to discover that they're pre-empted by the California Vehicle Code.

August 31, 2011 - Mayor Bill Fulton's blog

New Gas Tax Legislation Proposed For CA MPOs

Unlike a state gas tax, SB 791 calls for regional planning agencies to prepare a measure to go before voters in their jurisdiction that would place a new fee on fuel to improve mobility, called a "regional congestion reduction charge".

August 30, 2011 - LA. Streetsblog

California Cities Hoping Projects Lure Teams and Development

Cities across California are proposing new stadium projects in hopes of luring football teams and economic growth as a result of their new megadevelopments.

August 30, 2011 - The Architect's Newspaper

Tea Party Creates Headaches For Planners

Tea Party activists have spoken out at regional planning meetings in California to protest what some consider conspiratorial plans to crush civil liberties under the guise of smart growth.

August 29, 2011 - California Planning & Development Report

Brownfield Revitalization, or Gentrification?

Residents of the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco fear that redevelopment threatens to gentrify the area in a way that pushes out low- and middle-income black residents.

August 28, 2011 - High Country News

Is "Nuisance Abatement Team" a Legitimate Use of Police Power?

In Antelope Valley, Calif., questionable code enforcement practices encroach the Fifth Amendment taking clause while the obfuscation of facts by public officials mars the transparent aspect of the planning process.

August 27, 2011 - Boing Boing

CA Air Board Sticks With Cap & Trade

The CA Air Board reaffirmed their decision to stick with the cap and trade approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions rather than an alternative mechanism such as a carbon fee - a decision that did not please the environmental justice litigants.

August 27, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Lending Program Could Replace National Infrastructure Bank

Obama supports Boxer's 2-year transportation reauthorization bill over Mica's 6-year bill. However, both bills greatly increase funding for the Transportation Infrastructure and Innovative Finance Act.

August 25, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal

Yacht Parking for Boat Race Takes Too Much from San Francisco

As San Francisco prepares to host the 2013 America's Cup regatta, plans to use parts of the city's scenic waterfront for spectators' yacht parking edge too far into the public realm, according to this piece from the San Francisco Chronicle.

August 25, 2011 - San Francisco Chronicle

L.A. River Opens to Paddlers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gave approval to kayakers and canoeists to paddle down a 1.5 mile strip of the L.A. River that is deemed by the federal government safe enough for public recreation, reports Michael Martinez for CNN.

August 24, 2011 - CNN

TOD Booms in California

Transit oriented development is on the rise in California, with new projects being pushed in conjunction with new rail lines in Southern California and the Bay Area.

August 23, 2011 - The Architect's Newspaper

$417 Million To Fund Highway Projects

Last week, the Federal Highway Administration awarded discretionary highway grants in what could be among the last expenditures before the Sept. 30 expiration of the gas tax. Included were $8m for Value Pricing Pilot Program projects in 5 states.

August 22, 2011 - FHWA Press Release

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