All articles tagged with #zoning
Portland’s zoning overhaul legalized duplexes, fourplexes and backyard homes and then removed the barriers to building them, turning “middle housing” into a practical, cheaper path to homeownership; the city’s incentives and streamlined permitting have spurred more construction, a model that other cities are watching and copying.
Trump’s housing approach is unlikely to fix the affordability crisis. The piece argues prices rise with incomes—especially among college-educated workers—so simply deregulating or freeing up zoning won’t rapidly bring rents and home prices down. Studies suggest adding housing stock could gradually ease prices, but at slow speeds (often decades in major cities), and even then would also raise land and construction costs. Rent control and other fixes have mixed outcomes, so broad, effective reform is more complex than cutting regulation alone.
In private and public remarks, President Trump and NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani found surprising common ground on ULURP, the city’s land-use approval process, with Trump signaling support for reforms that could speed up development. The exchanges—rooted in Trump’s longstanding real-estate interests in New York—signal a potential, issue-focused opening for collaboration on housing in a city facing a severe affordability crisis, even as broader political disagreements persist.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 79, overhauling local zoning laws to allow more mid-rise apartment buildings near major transit stops in major metro areas, aiming to address the housing shortage and promote affordable housing, despite opposition from some local governments and neighborhood groups.
Recent zoning reforms in various U.S. cities are enabling small-scale manufacturers like food producers, artisans, and craftspeople to return to urban neighborhoods, aiming to revitalize downtown areas, diversify local economies, and meet consumer demand for local, personalized products. These changes are part of a broader trend to recreate vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods reminiscent of earlier eras, though challenges such as rising rents and development pressures remain.
The city of Starbase in Texas, home to SpaceX's launch site, is considering a zoning ordinance that could cause residents, mostly SpaceX employees, to lose access to their properties, as part of its development plans. The move aims to create a mixed-use space but has raised concerns about property rights and access to public beaches near launch sites, amid rapid growth and increased launch activity by SpaceX.
Starbase, Texas, home to SpaceX and Elon Musk's ventures, is considering a new zoning ordinance that could strip some residents of their property rights, as the city plans to develop a mixed-use space aligned with Musk's vision. The move comes amid increased launch activity and local concerns over beach access and community impact, highlighting tensions between economic development and public interests.
Connecticut's House narrowly approved a comprehensive housing bill, HB 5002, aimed at addressing the state's housing crisis through reforms in zoning, transit-oriented development, parking, homelessness, and rent regulation, despite opposition over local control concerns and implementation details.
The New York City Council has approved a modified version of Mayor Eric Adams' 'City of Yes' housing plan, which includes a $5 billion funding commitment. The plan aims to create 80,000 homes over 15 years, down from the original estimate of 109,000. Key changes include a tiered system for parking mandates, funding allocations for housing and infrastructure, and adjustments to accessory dwelling units and transit-oriented development. The plan will now go to the City Planning Commission before a full City Council vote on December 5.
California lawmakers are proposing legislation to reform the controversial "builder's remedy" housing law, aiming to provide clarity and rein in its use. The proposed overhaul includes new perks for developers, textual edits, and a provision to cap project sizes, while also prohibiting its use in industrial zoned areas. The bill is backed by Attorney General Rob Bonta and aims to provide clarity to local governments, planners, developers, and courts, while ensuring housing gets built in cities and counties that lack certified housing plans. The legislation is part of an effort to address legal ambiguities and concerns surrounding the builder's remedy, which has been a source of contention in California's housing politics.
Disney's proposed theme park expansion plan in Anaheim, known as DisneylandForward, has been approved by the Anaheim Planning Commission, with the next step being City Council approval. The plan aims to revitalize the Anaheim resort with new attractions, theme parks, shops, restaurants, and parking, representing a $1.9 billion investment over the next decade. While some residents expressed concerns about employee wages and community impact, the project also includes commitments to affordable housing, street and transportation improvements, and sewer upgrades.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is suing the town of Milton for rejecting the MBTA Communities law, which mandates zoning for more apartments and condos. The law requires communities served by the T to have at least one zoning district allowing multi-family housing. Milton's noncompliance led to the loss of a $140,000 grant, and the lawsuit seeks to compel the town to comply. Some residents opposed the plan due to concerns about traffic and autonomy in decision-making, while others emphasized the need to address the housing crisis.
Attorney General Andrea Campbell filed a lawsuit against the town of Milton for failing to comply with a new state housing law, following the rejection of a plan by voters that would have allowed for more than 2,000 new housing units. The lawsuit seeks to compel the town to pass compliant zoning within three months and threatens fines or the appointment of a special master if the town fails to comply. The lawsuit represents a significant escalation in the state's efforts to enforce the housing law and could have far-reaching implications for other communities in the region.
The town of Wrentham in Massachusetts is considering opposing the new MBTA Communities Law, which mandates communities near MBTA stations to allow more affordable housing. Wrentham officials will vote on sending letters of opposition to Governor Maura Healey. The law aims to facilitate the construction of multi-family housing in communities with T service, but some towns are pushing back against the density requirements.
The Healey administration has revoked state grant funding for Milton, Massachusetts, due to the town's noncompliance with the state's MBTA Communities Law, following the rejection of a zoning change that would have allowed for the addition of 2,500 housing units. This decision means Milton will lose out on grant opportunities and face a competitive disadvantage for state funding. State officials have expressed disappointment and threatened legal action, emphasizing the mandatory nature of compliance with the law.