Having learned from a pair of recent controversies, the city of Atlanta is ready to study and draft a new tree ordinance.
"Plans for a new [Atlanta] tree ordinance are in the works in order to address problems with the current ordinance and make it easier to understand," reports Evelyn Andrews.
According to Department of City Planning Commissioner Tim Keane, quoted in the article, the new tree ordinance will "determine how to protect old-growth forest and tree canopy." The department "has put together a team of consultants and is working on funding for a 12-month study on what the new ordinance should encompass." The study will pick up where a 2014 effort to rewrite the ordinance, scrapped over concerns about a lack of public input, left off.
The new tree ordinance gained new relevance after the city allowed trees in Peachtree Hills Park to be cut down for the sake of a pipe requested by a developer. According to Keane, the current system allows developers, construction companies, and residents the easy route of paying the fee to cut down trees, rather than creating incentives to design with existing trees in place.
FULL STORY: Atlanta’s next tree ordinance will be simpler to understand, says city official
Atlanta Housing Targets 10,000 Affordable Units in Five Years
Atlanta Housing plans to use a combination of development and preservation to ensure 10,000 affordable housing units in the next five years.
Tim Keane, Atlanta Planning Commissioner, Headed to a New City
Tim Keane, who has led the Atlanta Department of City Planning since 2015, is set to take a new job in a new city.
Atlanta City Council Adopts Amended Version of the City's New Comprehensive Development Plan
What started out as an ambitious example of planning and zoning reforms has been trimmed back to respond to opposition from neighborhood groups—and the threat of secession from one neighborhood in particular.
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.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.
San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.
A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
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