The developers of 1,400 homes in the desert north of Phoenix say they understand the responsibility of being the first to develop an area. Opponents would rather there was no development at all.

"Miles of mostly untapped earth sprawl between the two major mountain ridges that make up the Sonoran Preserve in north Phoenix — but it won't be undeveloped for long," reports Jessica Boehm.
Developer Taylor Morrison is looking to be the first to break ground in this corner of the Sonoran Desert, with a plan for a 1,400-home development called MacEwan 480.
"Frequent visitors of the Sonoran Preserve and those who live nearby have united to oppose the project, saying it is too dense, goes against city plans meant to protect the desert character of north Phoenix and will bring an influx of traffic to the area," according to Boehm.
The development could pave the way for more. MacEwan 480 is surrounded by state trust land "that could also someday be sold off and developed."
FULL STORY: Outdoor enthusiasts blast plan for 1,400 homes near Phoenix Sonoran Preserve

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

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Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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