Zoning Reform

Oregon

The 'Most Pro-Housing Reform in U.S. History' Expected for Approval Today in Portland

The Portland Residential Infill Project is expected for approval by the Portland City Council today, culminating a six year process that became more and more ambitious with every iteration.

August 12, 2020 - Sightline Institute

Derelict Commercial Buildings

Opinion: The Zoning Reform Discourse Needs a Dose of Reality

Lately it seems like people are forgetting that zoning is a legal process, requiring the support of elected officials.

August 3, 2020 - Notes from the Underground

Burlington Vermont

Missing Middle Zoning Reform Advances in the Vermont Legislature

The Vermont State Senate voted unanimously to approve legislation that would reduce barriers to more compact residential development. The Vermont House of Representatives is up next.

August 3, 2020 - CNU Public Square

Connecticut

Pro-Development Coalition Forms in Connecticut

DesegregateCT is a growing coalition of groups coalescing behind ideas like Missing Middle Housing and zoning reform as a means to improved housing affordability.

July 20, 2020 - Hartford Courant

Urban Tree Canopy

Another Way to Achieve Racial Justice: Zoning Reform

An opinion piece calls out suburban communities for perpetuating structural inequality and housing discrimination. Recently converted social justice advocates should focus their zeal on zoning reform, according to the argument that follows.

June 14, 2020 - Louisville Courier Journal

Columbus, Ohio

Laying the Groundwork for Cheaper Multi-Family Housing Construction

The processes of clearing land, building foundations, and making space for parking are three of the most expensive components of the construction process. Zoning can help reduce the costs to deliver more affordable housing supply.

June 3, 2020 - Brookings

Vancouver Al Fresco

How Zoning Reform Can Help Businesses Transition to Outdoor Operations

A trend toward allowing restaurants and retailers to expand operations to the public realm outside their brick and mortar confines is quickly gaining steam.

May 15, 2020 - The Hill

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Mayor Lightfoot Expected to Push for Legal Coach Houses in Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is expected to introduce legislation that would relax zoning restrictions on coach houses, known widely as accessory dwelling units, in the city of Chicago.

March 19, 2020 - Chicago Sun-Times

Griffith Park

DTLA 2040 Ready for Public Scrutiny in Los Angeles

Two community plan updates, to the Central City and the Central City North community plans, comprise the DTLA 2040 plan. DTLA 2040 is also the first showcase for the city's new zoning code system.

November 4, 2019 - Urbanize Los Angeles

Detroit Public Transit

Work Underway to Update Detroit's Zoning Code

The first deliverable in the process of updating the city of Detroit's zoning ordinance is publically available.

September 19, 2019 - Curbed Detroit

California Development

Zoning Change for Mixed-Use Developments, Density Near Transit Moves Forward

Until now, mixed-use projects have required a lengthy discretionary approval process in San Diego. That could change with a zoning change given preliminary approval by the City Council this week.

July 30, 2019 - Times of San Diego

Minnesota Non-Conforming Uses

Another Benefit of Zoning Reform: More Flexibility for Historic, Non-Conforming Uses

Non-conforming uses, usually historic buildings that predate the strictures of 20th century zoning codes, can get a little more comfortable under the reforms approved by the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

July 10, 2019 - MinnPost

State capital building

History Made: Oregon Legislature Ends Single-Family Zoning

A bill that seemed like it could be a casualty of a bitter partisan feud managed to squeak under the wire. With Governor Kate Brown's signature, single-family zoning will be prohibited throughout the state of Oregon.

July 1, 2019 - The Oregonian

Minneapolis Minnesota

YIMBYs Leading the Pro-Density Fight

Minneapolis has become an inspiration to other cities about how to successfully challenge NIMBY factions that oppose density and zoning reform.

June 1, 2019 - Grist

Twin Cities

Twin Cities ADU Construction Slow, but Expected

Easing ADU regulations has led to some new construction in the Twin Cities, but the additional units have made a small dent in the area’s affordable housing problem.

May 6, 2019 - MinnPost

Prospect Hill Park, Waltham, MA

Zoning Reform Gets Another Try as Massachusetts Wrestles With Housing Crunch

Strong support for local control has made statewide legislation to address the housing affordability crisis difficult to approve in the Bay State.

March 20, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Amarillo City Hall

A New Zoning Code for a More Effective Comprehensive Plan

Amarillo, a city of nearly 200,000 residents located in the Texas Panhandle, will rewrite its zoning ordinance for the first time in over 50 years.

March 15, 2019 - Statesman

San Jose, California

Editorial: Raise Height Limits to San Jose's Proper Stature

The city of San Jose has the "least distinctive" downtown skyline of the nation's major cities, according to editorial board of The Mercury News. The City Council has a chance to change that.

March 12, 2019 - The Mercury News

Downtown Boston

Spatial Mismatch's Far-Reaching Effects

When workers can't afford to live near jobs, the results are more than just housing cost burdens.

March 8, 2019 - Pacific Standard

Ohio River

Form at the Forefront of Zoning Code Rewrite in Covington, Kentucky

The city of Covington is conducting public hearings to gather feedback on at the outset of an 18-month process of rewriting its zoning code.

February 18, 2019 - City of Covington

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