Association of Washington Cities’ Post

Now we just need to get the zoning land use rules changed to support this.

Our zoning rules for businesses haven’t been updated in over 60 years, making it easy to know where typewriter repair can locate, but not cell phone repair; you can have a DJ in a bar but in most places not be able to dance to the music; to be an interior designer for peoples’ homes, but not be allowed to work out of your own. These and MANY other rules make no sense, are outdated, and routinely hold back small business location, operation, and expansion in NYC. #CityOfYes for Economic Opportunity is an initiative to modernize our zoning for today’s economy. Check out the video below, or https://lnkd.in/etEx5AhT to learn more and get involved.

Does allowing municipalities to create inclusionary zoning actually help with housing affordability or make it worse? I've argued that it benefits a very small number while hurting everyone else. Maybe now is the time to revisit this in BC. How about * not * including inclusionary zoning in the new ACC rules? Here is an article that looks at the pros and cons of inclusionary zoning: https://lnkd.in/gVsSFPXR

Raleigh’s approach to zoning reform could set a new standard for urban development. Gain insights into this policy shift in the Political Reading Recap. #UrbanPlanning #YIMBY https://lnkd.in/gm698_8Z

Those of us in the business of creating and promoting better cities and towns must communicate effectively to be successful. And I have – somewhat reluctantly – become uncomfortable with the word “urbanism” as a term to describe what many of us in the field believe and do. I am particularly uncomfortable with using it when communicating to the general public. In addition, in some ways the term just doesn’t adequately fit what I personally believe and want to advocate regarding land use and development in and around cities and towns. While I generally agree with folks who consider themselves urbanists on how to build better cities and towns, few people outside the inner circle of self-identified urbanists understand what we intend the word to mean.  Worse, the term carries negative associations for many outsiders, including people whose hearts and minds we need on our side in order to get good things done. I explain by taking a deep dive into the aspects that concern me. https://lnkd.in/eYdZt2wN

I really appreciate this well written post as well as linked piece about “urbanism.” I’m no urban planner but I do love walkable, dense living and am a big supporter of what I call neighborhood living where most, if not all, needs can be met within a 10 minute radius. I choose that to mean walk for me but that can also mean 10 minute drive for those who prefer a more “suburban style” yet livable neighborhood. Like so many areas of society these days, the use of a single words to encompass such broad ideas serves no one, but the need in today’s character limited social media/texting world seems to thrive on trying to create and force us into one word definitions that inevitably are misunderstood. Seattle seems to be in a constant battle with itself over these issues, like many other west coast cities I’ve read about like SF. We claim these liberal values and make blanket statements like housing for all. We say we want more dense, livable neighborhoods and to create more housing to fight affordability issues, especially more affordable and middle housing not just expensive luxury apartments, condos, and single family, yet have so many zoning restrictions, ridiculous neighborhood reviews that stop development in its tracks for years potentially over petty issues, and activists on both sides that want all or nothing approaches/solutions (the NIMBY and YIMBY tribes) that generally keep any action from moving forward. They are often unwilling to be in discussions that try for understanding and appropriate planning of steps to move forward positively that can hopefully appease more of the population and help gently, yet effectively, nudge those that work to stand in the way of any planned development to become more accepting of what that vision can be when it is done with purpose and betters the lives of those who live there. How do we move past both extremes believing only they know best. Those more fearful of this kind of growth often feel the other side fights so hard to remove all barriers to housing and construction that folks who live in the areas most likely affected by those sweeping changes fear over all the issues that often aren’t given fair consideration in the name of doing better “for all.” Issues like loss of individual property value for older residents of the neighborhood where their home is their retirement, growth that can’t be sustained without appropriate planning for the underlying infrastructure, loss of yards and green space without proper requirements to replace this valuable amenity for those with children or pets, etc. and, of course what is often the biggest obstacle … politicians listening to the loudest and wealthiest voices rather than the most measured and thoughtful voices, fearful over the next election and wanting future news/social media bites more than working towards solutions that are best for the city as a whole rather than constantly deadlocked and at odds.

Here are opportunities to help inform municipal planning for downtown transportation, updates to regulations in the river valley, rezonings, and more. https://lnkd.in/gq67Fa_K #yegmetro #yegplanning

Want to learn more about Form-based development codes and why many government jurisdictions, like Orange County, are rethinking its zoning practices? This webinar by the Urban Land Institute is extremely informational and insightful. https://lnkd.in/ex4qB--b

🪇Working across communities, civil society actors and policymakers Catalytic Communities offer valuable lessons for all, anywhere in the world, working to make urban policies and planning fairer. Find out more about this remarkable milestone #RioMasterPlan▶️ https://bit.ly/RIOCLT