Mountlake Terrace, located about halfway between Seattle and Everett, will soon have new building heights to go along with a new light rail station.
Stephen Fesler reports from Mountlake Terrace, Washington, where the city is working on a subarea plan [pdf] for its town center to prepare for the arrival of light rail.
The subarea plan "would in some ways expand the boundaries of the town center and supersede existing zoning," according to Fesler.
To accomplish those goals, the subarea plan locates new building heights in close proximity to the city's planned light rail station. "Blocks closest to the light rail station would be rezoned to District 1, which would allow buildings ranging from six to 12 stories. Current zoning in those areas either comprise single-family zoning or considerably more modest heights of five stories or less."
A public hearing on the plan is expected at the city's Planning Commission in March.
FULL STORY: Mountlake Terrace Sets Sights on 12-Story Buildings
Unlocking the Potential of Transit Adjacent Land for Housing Affordability
A case study from the Boston region shows the power of allowing moderate density on transit adjacent residential parcels currently available only to single-family detached homes.
Seattle Suburbs Prepare for Light Rail With Zoning for Transit-Oriented Development
Mountlake Terrace is the latest Seattle suburb to make substantial space for new development in anticipation of a forthcoming Link light rail line extending north of Seattle.
How, and Where, a Big Transit Oriented Density Bill Would Allow Change in Oregon
Analyzing the potential outcomes of Senate Bill 10, one of two statewide upzoning bills under consideration in the state of Oregon this year.
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.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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