Experts caution that to encourage significant new housing production, other zoning reforms that reduce costs and streamline permitting should accompany increased density requirements.

In yet another cautionary article warning planners of the limitations of upzoning, Carl Smith reports on a Connecticut study that reveals that eliminating single-family zoning is only one step toward reducing the massive gap between affordable housing supply and demand. The study was conducted by Desegregate Connecticut, which created a first-of-its-kind map that details zoning codes in each of the state's jurisdictions, allowing planners to compare different zoning regulations and understand how they interconnect.
Their analysis found that "a surprising number of other zoning requirements have the potential to interfere with efforts to open more land to multifamily dwellings." These include public hearing requirements that can delay or derail projects, minimum parking requirements, height limits, lot coverage, floor area ratio requirements, and occupancy restrictions. As others have pointed out, upzoning alone doesn't guarantee new construction if demand doesn't exist or other restrictions make development too onerous and expensive.
Advocates like Desegregate Connecticut are pushing for other zoning reforms that, together with upzoning, will make a real positive impact on the housing market. Thanks in part to Desegregate CT's efforts, which we covered last March, the Connecticut state legislature passed Public Act 21-29, a bill that addresses many of the above concerns and implements more comprehensive zoning reform that goes beyond density to remove other barriers to new housing.
FULL STORY: Ending Single-Family Zoning Is Not a Stand-Alone Solution

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power
The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing
Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths
Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply
New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?
Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas
The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.
City of Madera
City of Santa Clarita
Borough of Carlisle
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Colorado Energy Office
Pima County Community College District
City of Piedmont, CA
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