Zoning Reform

Traditional single-family home next to modern home in Arlington, Virginia

Arlington County Struggles To Meet Affordable Housing Goals

As the region’s population swells and demand for housing grows, Arlington County considers zoning reform to boost its affordable housing stock.

June 23, 2022 - Greater Greater Washington

View of Portland, Oregon from Pittock Mansion

Portland Approves ‘Residential Infill Project – Part 2' to Add New Forms of Residential Density

The city of Portland is already building upon the historic work of the Residential Infill Project, approved by the city in August 2021, with a new slate of zoning changes dubbed the ‘Residential Infill Project – Part 2.”

June 10, 2022 - The Oregonian

Bend, Oregon

Oregon to Reform Parking Requirements in 52 Cities

Oregon, the first state to end single-family zoning statewide, is on the cusp of another historic planning reform as the Land Conservation and Development Commission nears approval for new “Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities” rules.

June 6, 2022 - Sightline Institute

New York City Bike Infrastructure

‘City of Yes’ Zoning Initiative Announced to Support Business and Housing Opportunities in NYC

New York City’s new mayor, Eric Adams, has announced a new signature zoning initiative.

June 6, 2022 - New York City Office of the Mayor

Eugene, Oregon

Eugene Approves ‘Missing Middle Housing’

The city council voted to approve an ordinance that will permit more middle housing types in single-family neighborhoods.

June 1, 2022 - KLCC

Aerial view of single-family homes in Atlanta, Georgia suburb

Voters Reject Atlanta-Area Cityhood Proposals

After local activists whipped up concerns about forced density to promote cityhood for three wealthy Atlanta suburbs, residents voted to remain in unincorporated Cobb County.

May 27, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Arlington County, Virginia

Zoning Reform Gains Momentum in Northern Virginia

Arlington County and Alexandria are moving forward with actions that could potentially launch a new era of planning and development in their respective communities.

May 27, 2022 - Greater Greater Washington

Multi-Family Housing

Zoning Reform Works, but Is No Magic Bullet

Improving housing affordability and boosting housing production requires more than just eliminating single-family zoning.

May 26, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of West Chester, Pennsylvania

Record Number of Homes Built in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Chester County, one of the state’s wealthiest, saw more homes built in 2021 than any year since 2001.

May 25, 2022 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

A map showing Auburn, Maine and surrounding highways and towns.

The Maine City Setting the Gold Standard for Pro-Development Zoning Reforms

Auburn, Maine, a city of 20,000 residents, has plans to add enough housing to increase its population by 25 percent by 2025.

May 23, 2022 - Discourse Magazine

Shuttered strip mall in Niland, California

Strip Malls as a Housing Solution

The American strip mall may be a dying breed of commercial development, but could the buildings serve a new use as sustainable housing?

May 22, 2022 - Yale Environment 360

Urban Solar Power

Zoning Stands in the Way of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is cheap as ever, but zoning isn’t keeping up with the market.

May 19, 2022 - Popular Science

State Capital of Utah

Affordable Housing Proposal Faces Backlash in Salt Lake City

A public hearing last week revealed widespread opposition to a plan to loosen density and height limits and reduce parking requirements to encourage more developers to build affordable housing.

May 17, 2022 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Single-Family Housing Construction

New White House Housing Initiative Includes Zoning Reform Incentives

The Biden administration this morning released a new program of actions intended to spur housing construction around the United States.

May 16, 2022 - The White House

Twin Cities

Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think

Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.

May 13, 2022 - Reason

Silicon Valley

San Jose Declines To Join Lawsuit Against State Zoning Law

A San Jose City Council committee rejected a motion to join other cities in opposing Senate Bill 9, which permits lot subdivision in an effort to boost housing affordability.

May 10, 2022 - San José Spotlight

View of homes in Boise, Idaho

Boise Launches Accessory Dwelling Unit and ‘Moveable Tiny Home’ Pilots

The city moved to loosen restrictions on accessory dwelling units and other forms of innovative housing solutions.

May 9, 2022 - Idaho Press

Kennebec River

Maine Passes Zoning Reform Laws

The state legislature passed two bills, one supporting accessory dwelling units and another incentivizing adaptive reuse, aimed at boosting housing affordability.

May 3, 2022 - Maine Beacon

View of San Diego neighborhood

San Diego To Consider Upzoning in College Area

Local residents worry that city proposals to increase density will harm neighborhood character, while the city is touting ‘smart growth’ as the goal.

April 28, 2022 - NBC San Diego

Portland Maine

Maine Looks To Legalize ‘Missing Middle Housing’

Maine could become the third state to eliminate single-family-only zoning to encourage light density increases in residential areas and make it easier for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units.

April 27, 2022 - Reason

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