Residents in towns around Pennsylvania are calling for regulations to better understand and mitigate the impacts of large digital and static billboards.
Michelle Bond reports: "Prompted by residents' complaints about the increased use of digital billboards, a state senator [Sen. Andy Dinniman (D., Chester)] announced Friday that he had introduced a bill that would toughen regulations on companies that want to erect the brightly lighted signs."
Under the proposed regulations, billboard companies would be required "to meet with representatives from PennDot and the proposed site's town." Moreover, "approval would be subject to hearings," reports Bond. The hearings would "address the sizes of proposed billboards; spacing and lighting; traffic and pedestrian safety; open space issues; and the potential impact on development rights and on residents living nearby."
Hat tip to Kevin Hunter.
FULL STORY: Pa. bill would toughen digital billboard regs
How Zoning Affects Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As the urgency of the climate crisis increases, a paper in the Notre Dame Law Review argues that increased density is not a universally effective strategy to reduce emissions and that different strategies are needed for low-carbon places versus high-carbon ones.
Oregon Bill Would Ban E-Bikes for Riders Under 16
State lawmakers seek to change Oregon e-bike laws following the death of a 15-year old last summer.
Florida Law Would Change the Definition of ‘Sprawl’
One quick way to build sprawl.
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