The Montgomery County Council made a few last minute changes to a residential building moratorium that will take effect next week, halting construction in areas around the county's schools.
"The Montgomery County Council on Tuesday gave unanimous approval to an amendment to the county’s moratorium policy that allows certain developments to move forward despite a residential building freeze," reports Caitlynn Peetz.
The residential building moratorium is set to take effect next week, affecting 12 percent of the county, in areas surrounding schools. Montgomery County's actions to freeze residential development in response to overcrowding in schools first made news in when the moratorium was proposed in March 2018. The county finally enacted the moratorium in April 2019, as reported by both Ally Schweitzer and Alex Baca.
The council decided to relax the moratorium to allow projects "projected to yield fewer than 10 new students," projects that replace a condemned structure in or adjacent to a state-designated Opportunity Zone, or projects that include affordable housing in more than half of the planned residences.
FULL STORY: County Council Approves Amendment to Moratorium Policy
New Growth Plan Could End Development Moratorium in Montgomery County
A planning change would make it easier to develop housing near transit in Montgomery County, Maryland. In 2018, the county adopted a development moratorium intended to prevent overcrowding in schools.
Boise Backing Off Proposed Citywide Zoning Changes
Boise was considering allowing up to four units by-right on any residential parcel in the city, but has since rolled back the scale of the proposed zoning changes.
Exclusionary Zoning and Poverty: A New Hampshire Case Study
A deep dive into the history of zoning and development in Manchester, New Hampshire.
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.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Private Donations Propel Early Restoration of Palisades Playground
Los Angeles has secured over $1.3 million in private funding to restore the Pacific Palisades playground months ahead of schedule, creating a modern, accessible space that supports community healing after recent wildfires.
From Blight to Benefit: Early Results From California’s Equitable Cleanup Program
The Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) program is reshaping brownfield redevelopment by prioritizing projects in low-income and environmental justice communities, emphasizing equity, transparency, and community benefits.
Planting Relief: Tackling Las Vegas Heat One Tree at a Time
Nevada Plants, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit, is combating the city’s extreme urban heat by giving away trees to residents in underserved neighborhoods, promoting shade, sustainability, and community health.
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.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service