City councillors in Ottawa, Canada are caught up in a convoluted struggle over their ability to control the region's urban growth boundary.
"Ottawa council could avoid a series of fights at the Ontario Municipal Board by holding the line on its urban boundary, according to its top planning lawyer.
Tim Marc says changes to the provincial Planning Act since 2003 have strengthened the city's hand in controlling development. If any urban
expansion in the official plan is permitted, the revised plan can be appealed to the provincial board, which has the power to overrule city land-use decisions. However, if no expansion is approved, no appeals can be made to the board.
City council is considering the revision of its official plan, the document that guides all residential and commercial development. Planning staff recommended an expansion of 842 hectares.
But Bay Councillor Alex Cullen said Tuesday that council could end up with even more than the 842 hectares added to the city's urban area if the municipal board agrees with developers on expanding the urban area even farther."
FULL STORY: Councillors line up against sprawl

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
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