A Baltimore County plan would reward developers that substantially incorporate community suggestions into their plans.
The legislative initiative calls for "a new development process designed to speed revitalization of underused or vacant commercial properties in older communities...The regulations...would allow developers to circumvent virtually all traditional development and zoning codes on approved sites if they agree to give community members substantial say in the project's initial design...It would also give county officials and the public the chance to provide ideas at the beginning of a project rather than after the developer has made a plan." Both developers and citizens could benefit from the plan. "Not only would it allow more flexibility and faster approval, but the community suggestions would also help developers know what there is a market for," said one developer.
Thanks to David Gest
FULL STORY: Smith to unveil growth measure

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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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research