Controversies

Southwest LRT

Minnesota's Southwest Light Rail Back From the Dead

Regional and county agencies figured out a way to move forward with the Southwest light rail plan without the help of the politically divided state. That could mean the state has time to climb on board by next year's legislative session.

September 4, 2016 - MinnPost

Dallas, Knox Street

Dallas Mixes Residential Development With a Road Diet, Gets Controversy

The Dallas City Council approved a road diet for Knox Street in Dallas, where 1,000 residential units are under construction on an already thriving commercial corridor.

August 29, 2016 - Dallas News

Stahl House Los Angeles

L.A. City Council Chooses Legal Limbo for Accessory Dwelling Units

Faced with the task of conforming its "granny flats" ordinance with state law, the Los Angeles City Council yielded.

August 29, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Covered Bridge

South Jersey Suburb Seeks Redevelopment, Attracts Controversy

The controversies emerging from Cherry Hill, New Jersey will likely strike a familiar chord for many Americans.

August 29, 2016 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Village

Looking to Add More Trees? Mind the 'Sidewalk Gray Zone'

A case study provided by the MillionTreesNYC program offers insight into complicated territorial boundaries that can challenge urban greening projects.

August 23, 2016 - DeepRoot

Southwest LRT

Minnesota's Southwest Light Rail on its Last Legs

Republicans in Minnesota are ready to put the final nail in the coffin of the proposed Southwest light rail project, which would connect downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie.

August 22, 2016 - MinnPost

Missouri Pacific Trail

Omaha Stripped Away Pavement from Residential Streets, Controversy Ensues

Decades ago, developers installed sub-standard asphalt on residential streets in Omaha, with the understanding that residents, not the city, would maintain them.

August 21, 2016 - The Associated Press via The Denver Post

Port of Morrow

Coal Export Facilities Achieving Zombie Status in the Pacific Northwest

One of the Pacific Northwest's remaining coal export facility proposals was dealt what could be a final blow in state court last week. Some are describing such projects as zombies "shambling forward unaware that their heart has stopped beating…"

August 15, 2016 - The Oregonian

Vancouver

Former Vancouver Mayor: Development Politics Equals 'Generational Warfare'

Former Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan put out a call to action, so to speak, in the hopes of energizing younger Canadians to respond to the entrenched interests of older generations.

August 15, 2016 - The Province

Small Lot

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.

August 11, 2016 - The Eastsider LA

New Orleans

New Orleans Planning Commission Recommends Limits for Short-Term Rentals

The New Orleans City Council must still approve regulations for short-term rentals, but the Planning Commission has spoken.

August 10, 2016 - The Times-Picayune

Los Angeles

Twisting the Truth: The NIMBY Opposition to Second Units in L.A.

An op-ed by Daniel Freedman explains how a legal spat over an 850-square-foot "granny flat" affected hundreds of units around Los Angeles. The city's attempt to rectify the problems with its second unit ordinance has encountered more resistance.

August 8, 2016 - Daniel Freedman

New Jersey Coast

A Big, Expensive Legal Battle Over Coastal Dunes in New Jersey

A small group of residents in Ocean County, New Jersey have lawyered up to resist a state and federal project to build 22 miles of sand dunes to protect the New Jersey coast.

August 5, 2016 - The Record

Lucas Museum Will Have to Find a City Far, Far Away From Chicago

The controversy over whether to located the Lucas Museum Site at a lakefront property in Chicago is no longer ongoing.

June 24, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

San Antonio

San Antonio Completes Draft Comprehensive Plan—Annexation Questions Loom Large

The question of whether the city of San Antonio should annex some or all of five potential areas is overwhelming the political debate about the city's recently released draft comprehensive plan.

June 16, 2016 - Rivard Report

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park Project Gains Key Approval—Lawsuit Expected

It seems like one step forward and two steps back for a proposal to develop two residential towers at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

June 8, 2016 - Politico

Los Angeles Smog Skyline Zoom

The Role of Planning in Fixing Los Angeles' Development Woes

Globe St. featured an exclusive interview with Gail Goldberg, executive director of the Urban Land Institute, Los Angeles Chapter, and former planning director of Los Angeles and San Diego.

May 12, 2016 - Globe St.

Child's swing made out of a tire and rope hanging from a tree in

Wealthy Maryland Enclave Goes to War Over a Swing Set

Some code violation controversies must be reported by The Washington Post to be believed.

May 12, 2016 - The Washington Post

Oil Drills

All Jokes Aside: Do Oil Companies Avoid Wealthy Areas?

Environmental justice alarms sounded when an oil industry executive made public remarks about how drilling sites get selected.

April 19, 2016 - Pittsburg Post-Gazette

Charlottesville to Begin Charging for Parking in Downtown

The city of Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia, has approved a controversial measure to begin charging for on-street parking in the city's downtown.

April 6, 2016 - C-Ville Weekly

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