California

Michael LoGrande, recently approved as the next Planning Director for the city of L.A., is a city hall insider with a reputation as an expeditor. Former interim Planning Director Mark Winogrond questions the process by which LoGrande was selected.

August 7, 2010 - The Planning Report

An all-star panel of architects, developers and journalists convened to offer advice to L.A.'s new planning director.

August 6, 2010 - California Planning & Development Report

The City of Oakland, California has produced a series of videos to help explain what zoning is and what the city's zoning update will do. The city's zoning code hasn't been comprehensively updated since 1965.

August 6, 2010 - City of Oakland

Chief Zoning Administrator Michael LoGrande has been promoted to director just a few short weeks after his predecessor, Gail Goldberg announced her resignation.

August 5, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

This feature from Miller-McCune looks at the debate over a dam near Stanford University, and whether it should be removed to restore the ecosystem the area once housed, or maintained to protect the ecosystem that it spawned.

August 5, 2010 - Miller-McCune

The city of Baldwin Park, California -- purported home of the world's first drive-thru -- is temporarily banning any new construction of drive-thrus to try to combat obesity.

August 4, 2010 - The Christian Science Monitor

Neighbors are in uproar over a 71-unit affordable housing project planned on a bus-turnaround in a residential area of San Francisco because it provides only 7 parking spaces. Is smart growth planning getting ahead of itself by becoming top-down?

August 4, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

This piece from The New York Times looks at how an ill-fated development plan for the island of Alameda fell apart, and the city official tied up in the controversy.

August 3, 2010 - The New York Times

At $41,000 the new Chevrolet Volt is a "rich man's ride." Charles Lane asks why is President Obama offering federal tax credits of $7,500 to help better-off American's buy expensive cars?

August 2, 2010 - Slate

While carpooling dropped 30% on the Bay Bridge after the first-time carpool charges were applied July 1, the Golden Gate Bridge reported a 68% drop, though it may be tied to confusion over which lane carpoolers should use with Fastrak requirement.

August 2, 2010 - Marin Independent Journal

Tom Vanderbilt explains adroitly "how not having a car became Hollywood shorthand for loser." Why does the film industry have such contempt for the carless?

August 2, 2010 - Slate

San Francisco has begun a two-year test of variably-priced parking meters in an effort to see how pricing affects driving and parking decisions in parts of the city.

July 31, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Taft, California was built on oil money, and saw its famous unstoppable oil gusher (still the largest spill in American history) as a boon rather than a disaster. Locals worry this year's centennial celebration may be overshadowed by the BP spill.

July 30, 2010 - The Wall St. Journal

Culver City, California has put together a map illustrating the locations of all the public art pieces around the town, including Joshua Callaghan's "Almost Invisible Boxes" - utility boxes painted to disappear into the scenery.

July 30, 2010 - LAist

July 1 marked the $2 premium, commuter toll on the Bay Bridge, as well as new first-time charges for car pools on all Bay Bridges, and increased tolls ($5) on seven state-owned bridges. Congestion on Bay Bridge reduced by half during morning peak.

July 30, 2010 - ABC News via KGO-TV

The Riverside County Planning Commission is considering opening up more areas to churches, but local wineries are fighting the move, saying that the alcohol business and church don't mix.

July 29, 2010 - The Press-Enterprise

In this radio interview, KQED-FM reporter Kitty Felde interviews UCLA professor and parking guru Don Shoup on what he now calls "performance parking", a form of smart parking that includes congestion pricing used in D.C., SF, and soon LA.

July 28, 2010 - KQED: California Report

San Francisco has always been home to utopian dreamers. With a clean slate to work on in the middle of the bay, the city has drafted plans for a sustainable utopia. With politics and money kicking in, will the dream be dashed?

July 28, 2010 - Shareable

Bike Blogger Richard Masoner offers some tips on how to successfully advocate for effective bicycle facilities, covering the gamut from bike parking to placement of bike sharrows.

July 28, 2010 - Cyclelicious (bicycle blog)

Firearms collected by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in a collection drive will be melted down and turned into rebar used in state infrastructure projects.

July 28, 2010 - Los Angeles Times