On an appeal by McDonald's, Ontario Municipal Board upholds city ban on drive-through restarants.
Toronto has banned drive-throughs within 30 meters of homes. This opinion piece discusses the history of this ordinance and praises the city's action."Drive-throughs first became a hot topic in November, 2001, when McDonald's announced it intended to turn its outlet at St. Clair Ave. W. and Christie St. into a drive-through. Naturally, the neighbours objected and the city swung into action, passing an interim control bylaw that prohibited drive-throughs from that part of Toronto for a year. In 2003, city council adopted a permanent bylaw banning drive-throughs. It was then appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board by the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association, the Canadian Bankers Association and a host of other business interests, including OMERS. Late in January, however, the OMB threw out their case."
Thanks to Adam Krom
FULL STORY: For a McHappy ending: No new drive-throughs

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

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

Op-Ed: Looking for Efficiency? Fund Intercity Buses
Much less expensive than rail, intercity buses serve millions of Americans every year, but public subsidies are lacking.

Philadelphia Councilmember Proposes Transit Access Fund
The plan would allocate 0.5 percent of the general fund toward mobility subsidies for low-income households.

Texas Bill Would Ban Road Diets, Congestion Pricing
A Texas state senator wants to prevent any discussion of congestion pricing and could suspend existing bike lane and sidewalk projects.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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