Proponents of a new zoning designation say it will ease the housing crisis, while other residents worry about density, historic resources, and property taxes.

A public hearing on a “massive zoning overhaul affecting 4% of the city's parcels” in Columbus, Ohio garnered a wide range of responses from dozens of community members, reports Bill Bush in the Columbus Dispatch.
While city officials tout the proposed “Commercial Activity Center” zoning designation, which would permit building up to seven stories with no parking requirements, as a step toward producing more affordable housing in the city, “Others voiced fears that encouraging new development in their neighborhood would be akin to raising prices − and property taxes for any existing structures that aren't tax-abated like many major new Columbus developments.” Meeting attendees asked about the protection of historic buildings, which are protected in Columbus’s historic districts.
Residents also expressed concern about density, while some property owners also questioned the city’s process for selecting which sites are included in the new designation. City officials say they will consider a process for adding new parcels to the zone.
FULL STORY: Air taxis will require urban, aviation planners to join forces: APA

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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