California

Can Busy Residential Streets Be As Toxic As Freeways?

Findings from a new study on air pollution found that notwithstanding lower traffic volumes, "heavily traveled secondary highways" may be just as toxic as freeways laden with diesel trucks or major railyards.

December 19, 2006 - The Sacramento Bee

Horse-Riding Citizens Fight Grocery Store

In one of few areas in L.A. zoned to allow horses, Burbank horse owners have convinced the local planning board to reject a plan to build a Whole Foods grocery store in their neighborhood. The retailer offered concessions, but the battle continues.

December 18, 2006 - The New York Times

Some Funds Approved For San Jose BART Extension

Funding issues are compounding the troubles involved in expanding the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) to include San Jose and other areas in Silicon Valley. A recent allocation of funds is keeping the plan moving.

December 18, 2006 - San Jose Mercury News

Leasing Retail Space In Transit-Oriented Developments

Fruitvale Village in Oakland, California, provides a valuable case study for designing and leasing retail space in transit-oriented development projects.

December 17, 2006 - New Urban News

Northern California A Bright Spot For Train Travel

The Captiol Corridor between Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area -- Amtrak's third most popular line -- celebrates its 15-year anniversary and reports growing ridership and rider satisfaction.

December 16, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

The Inverse Relationship Between Age And Transit Use

A recent survey reveals that San Diego County senior citizens are less likely to use public transportation as they grow older. Many seniors cite their lack of experience, long waits, and a lack of adequate routes as keeping them from using transit.

December 15, 2006 - The North County Times

Will Smart Growth Work In Los Angeles?

Giant mixed-use projects are coming, but are Angelenos ready to change their driving lifestyle?

December 15, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

An Air Quality Version Of An Economic Enterprise Zone?

In a bold, creative attempt to bring more federal and state funds to solve the air pollution problem in California's Central Valley, local leaders hope to declare the region an "air quality empowerment zone".

December 14, 2006 - The Sacramento Bee

Cal-i-for-nia, Here We...Leave?

For the first time since 1994, more residents left California than arrived -- and this time the outflow includes even Hispanics. High housing costs are blamed for the shift in migration.

December 13, 2006 - Associated Press via San Francisco Chronicle

Don't Treat Suburbs As A 'Sin'

Columnist Steven Greenhut argues that Smart Growth ideologies mistakenly treat suburbia as a sin, and examines contracy evidence from a new study on suburban isolation and Wendell Cox's book, "War on the Dream."

December 12, 2006 - Orange County Register

Cohousing Projects Increasing Nationwide

Land has been purchased for what will be Oakland's fourth cohousing project, a collection of about 33 housing units with an underlying purpose of cooperation and community. Similar community housing projects are cropping up across the country.

December 12, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

The American Mall: Now The Public Space Of Choice?

The new form of the shopping mall -- lifestyle centers -- are fulfilling the original destiny of the American mall by "re-creating the essence of urban life", writes Virginia Postrel in a Los Angeles Times opinion.

December 11, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

River Restoration Begins In California

In California, the largest river restoration project in the West has begun as water formerly directed from the Owens River to the Los Angeles Aqueduct is rerouted along 62 miles of its original path to Owens Lake in Central California.

December 11, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

The NFL Versus Mixed-Use Development

A developer with big plans for a mixed-use complex has offered the City of Anaheim, California, $150 million dollars for land that the NFL has been scouting for a new franchise stadium.

December 11, 2006 - KTLA5

Has Bringing Housing To Downtown Oakland Hurt The City?

Outgoing Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown's plan to add 10,000 residents to its downtown hasn't succeeded in its original goal -- to boost the city's revenue from sales taxes.

December 10, 2006 - Berkeley Planet

Los Angeles Gets Split By Census Bureau

In a victory for local leaders, the San Fernando Valley breaks away from Los Angeles County, at least according to the U.S. Census.

December 9, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Studio Plans Urban Village On Backlot

NBC Universal announced plans to build almost 3,000 homes, along with new offices and production facilities, on its prime land holdings in Los Angeles, which are also adjacent to a subway station.

December 8, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Is One L.A. Developer A Modern Day Mr. Scrooge?

Geoff Palmer, a successful developer who has constructed hundreds of new apartments in downtown Los Angeles, has consistently fought the city's attempts to force him to include affordable units in his developments.

December 8, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Can Oakland Lead The Green Economy?

Oakland's new progressive mayor and the Oakland Apollo Alliance are working to turn that city's fortunes around through "green collar" jobs and "green enterprise zones".

December 7, 2006 - Yes! Magazine

Pedestrians Lost In The New Suburbia

A resident of a touted New Urbanist development in San Diego, California, comments on its failure as a walkable community.

December 7, 2006 - Diana DeRubertis

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

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Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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