Upzoning
Virginia Upzoning and Accessory Dwelling Unit Bills Killed Quickly in Committee
The Land Use subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates decided quickly to uphold local control of zoning.
'Missing Middle Housing Act' Would Allow More Housing Options in Nebraska Residential Areas
January 13, 2020, 11am PST
The ranks of states considering or taking steps to override local control to allow new density in the residential neighborhoods of cities has swelled once again, this time with a state senator in Nebraska pitching statewide legislation.
1011 Now
Maryland Could Join the Statewide Density Club
January 8, 2020, 6am PST
The ambitious "Homes for All" plan would include upzoning as only one tool for addressing the acute housing affordability crisis in the state of Maryland.
Statewide Upzoning Bill Back on the Table in California
News broke yesterday that the dormant SB 50, a bill proposed last year by California State Senator Scott Weiner, has new life in the new year.
Modest Densification, a Strategy to Alleviate the Housing Crisis?
Incremental changes to density on single-family parcels could boost the nation's housing stock without dramatic impacts at the neighborhood level.
The Flip Side of Single-Family Housing
December 30, 2019, 7am PST
Much of the debate about housing shortages and rising housing costs focuses on single-family housing as the main culprit. But could it also be part of the solution?
Statewide Density Increases Proposed in Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia will consider a bill that would legalize duplexes in single-family zones throughout the state.
Seattle Councilmember Calls for Transit-Oriented Density
Seattle Councilmember Abel Pacheco writes on opinion piece for The Urbanist to make the case for transit-oriented density on The Ave in the city's University District.
San Diego Could Eliminate Height Limits Near Transit
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is following up on an idea first pitched during a State of the City address, but with a few teaks.
Voice of San Diego
'Gentle Density' to Save Neighborhoods
Cities looking to follow Minneapolis's lead in overturning the status quo of exclusionary zoning should consider "gentle density," according to this article.
An Incremental Upzoning Approved in Tacoma
December 5, 2019, 11am PST
Though it stops well short of a citywide upzoning, the city of Tacoma has still expanded its planned development envelope by upzoning residential neighborhoods around the city.
Opinion: End of Single-Family Zoning Won't Solve Minneapolis' Housing Problems
October 8, 2019, 8am PDT
Even as density increases in Minneapolis, affordable housing is not going to be accessible to the people who need it, according to an article by James S. Russell.
Debating the Future of One of Seattle's Pedestrian-Friendly Gems
September 25, 2019, 12pm PDT
The corridor along University Way is currently exempt from the wave of upzoning implemented by the city's Mandatory Housing Affordability program, but that exemption is only temporary.
Oregon Residents Wondering What Will Come as Statewide Zoning Reform Takes Effect
July 24, 2019, 12pm PDT
House Bill 2001 didn't ban single-family houses altogether, just single-family zoning, so change will take time, and money. There are a lot of unknowns for residents to grapple with when it comes to statewide upzoning.
HUD Secretary Carson Supports Minneapolis-Style Upzoning
U.S. Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, in Minneapolis last week, expressed support for the planning reforms include in the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Accessory Dwelling Units Legalized, Finally, in San Francisco
Legislation approved this week finally brings the city of San Francisco up to date with state laws approved in 2016.
San Francisco Public Press
Single-Family Zoning Versus the City, Mapped
There isn't much city in most U.S. cities.
The Housing 'Migration Chain' That Results From Upzoning
A new working paper adds another perspective to the debate about easing zoning regulations to address the affordable housing crisis.
East Village Rezoning Falls Short on Affordable Housing
Enacted in 2008, a partial rezone of Manhattan's East Village and Lower East Side failed to deliver on affordable housing projections, falling short by 45 percent.
Curbed New York
Advocating for Upzoning in Two of New York's Wealthiest Neighborhoods
The New York City Department of City Planning is expected, very soon, to release a rezoning proposal for the neighborhoods of SoHo and NoHo in New York City.