Rezoning For An Aging Suburban Population

The first issue of a new journal on aging features a discussion on planning and rezoning of a suburb in response to the desires of an aging suburban population for a walkable community with mixed use and better transit services.

1 minute read

June 1, 2007, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


The first issue of a new journal on "The Dynamics of Aging and Our Communities, features an article by Marry Brizzel, Supervisor of the Town of Colonie, New York, about how the town is changing their planning and zoning to accomodate and plan for the town's aging population.

"As of the last census, one in four residents in the town of Colonie is over the age of 55, and that percentage is only going to grow in the coming years... The ultimate goal of the mixed use zoning and design standards is to transition our commercial corridors from auto-oriented strip malls to a more village like development, where people can walk from the pharmacy to the coffee shop."

The issue also features an interesting article on accessory uses, titled "Accessory Dwelling Units Can Aid in Intergenerational Housing Crisis."

[Editor's note: This article on rezoning begins on page 16 of the PDF document. You must scroll through the PDF until you reach page 16 in order to read the article. The article on accessory uses begins on page 13 of the PDF document.]

Thanks to Paul Bray

Sunday, May 27, 2007 in CCQ Capital Commons Quarterly: The Dynamics of Aging and Our Communities

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Aerial view of homes on green hillsides in Daly City, California.

Depopulation Patterns Get Weird

A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 10, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million

Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.

April 11, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Young woman and man seated on subway car looking at phones.

Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features

It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.

April 19 - BGR

Ohio state capitol dome against dramatic lightly cloudy sky.

Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production

A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.

April 19 - Daytona Daily News

Aerial view of Interstate 290 or Eisenhower Expressway in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant

Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.

April 19 - Streetsblog Chicago

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.