The city is one of a growing list to eliminate single-family zoning.

Alexandria became the second Virginia jurisdiction to eliminate single-family only zoning as part of a package of zoning reforms, report Morgan Baskin and Margaret Barthel in DCist. “Alexandria will now allow four-unit buildings on lots currently zoned for only single-family dwellings, which represent one third of the city’s land.”
The article points out that the city estimates “only 66 of 9,000 single-family lots will convert into denser dwellings.” “Taken as a whole, city staff estimate the Zoning For Housing changes could result in more than 2,800 new units in the next decade, a modest but significant increase. Of those, the vast majority — roughly 1,800 units — are expected to come from Residential Multi-Family projects.” The change to single-family zoning is expected to produce just 175 new units.
“For now, new multi-unit buildings will be required to sit within the existing footprint for single-family dwellings. In the future, the city might research how changing height and bulk requirements could incentivize more multi-unit buildings in residential areas.” Zoning for Housing also scales back parking requirements, removes rules about site density and unit size, simplifies townhouse design standards, and encourages transit-oriented development.
FULL STORY: Alexandria Lawmakers Unanimously Vote To Eliminate Single-Family-Only Zoning, In Bid To Boost Housing Supply

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.
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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