Controversies

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.

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.

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.

South Jersey Suburb Seeks Redevelopment, Attracts Controversy
The controversies emerging from Cherry Hill, New Jersey will likely strike a familiar chord for many Americans.

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.

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.

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.

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…"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

Wealthy Maryland Enclave Goes to War Over a Swing Set
Some code violation controversies must be reported by The Washington Post to be believed.

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.
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.
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