Strange as it may sound, the city in the heart of U.S. software country had an ordinance that made such companies were illegal, even though such companies are common in the city.
"The council supported including language specifying that software firms are a legal land use in downtown Palo Alto in the city's guiding Comprehensive Plan," Gennady Sheyner, reported on an action by Palo Alto's city council for Palo Alto Weekly.
Three of the city’s nine council members wanted to go further and specify that running such a company out of a single family home would also be permissible, but that was beyond what Mayor Greg Scharff or the rest of the council was willing to support. Councilman Greg Tanaka pointed out that the practice of starting a company in a single-family home is very common in the city.
FULL STORY: In shifting land-use vision, city embraces its tech roots
The Star-Studded Discussion of the National Housing Debate
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Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
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Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
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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