Livable Places explains the impact of allowing the construction of new "fee-simple" town homes in areas zoned for apartments or commercial development.
"In December 2004, the City of Los Angeles adopted changes to its zoning codes to allow the construction of new 'fee-simple' town homes in areas zoned for apartments or commercial development. Previously the City’s zoning code prohibited the development of town homes unless they were part of a condominium association.
The new town home or small lots ordinance permits detached homes on small lots, town homes, and row houses where the home owner would own both the land and structure fee simple. This change makes town homes a more attractive and affordable option for home buyers. Many cities across the country have popular neighborhoods with row houses or brownstones that are built on a town home model."
Thanks to Christian Peralta
FULL STORY: City of Los Angeles Passes Town Home Ordinance
Changes to Los Angeles' Small Lot Ordinance on the Way
Responding to criticism from neighborhoods faced with new small lot developments, the city of Los Angeles in considering changes to its Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance.
How Small Lots Yield Urban Density
A recent article explains how, and why, small lot subdivisions get built in Los Angeles. Also, the city has recently updated a procedural glitch to make permitting easier for small lot projects.
Op-Ed: No Room for Subjectivity in Los Angeles Design Guidelines
Sam Lubell outlines the good and bad of recent small lot design guidelines approved by Los Angeles.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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?
LA’s Tree Emergency Goes Beyond Vandalism
After a vandal destroyed dozens of downtown LA trees, Mayor Karen Bass vowed to replace them. Days later, she slashed the city’s tree budget.
Sacramento Leads Nation With Bus-Mounted Bike Lane Enforcement Cameras
The city is the first to use its bus-mounted traffic enforcement system to cite drivers who park or drive in bike lanes.
Seattle Voters Approve Social Housing Referendum
Voters approved a corporate tax to fund the city’s housing authority despite an opposition campaign funded by Amazon and Microsoft.
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