Another domino has fallen in the parking reform movement.
The city of Durham approved a zoning reform initiative titled Simplifying Codes for Affordable Development (SCAD), which includes the end of parking mandates for new development.
Mary Helen Moore covers the story for The News & Observer, noting that “Monday’s vote, arriving at nearly midnight, followed four hours of debate in the last meeting before the newly elected City Council takes office next month.” The city is the ninth largest in the country to eliminate parking requirements, according to the Parking Reform Network.
The proposal, which was written by a group of developers, is controversial with both homeowner groups and affordable housing advocates like Habitat for Humanity, who withdrew their support.
In addition to removing parking mandates, SCAD eliminates maximum densities in commercial and office zones, allows places of worship to build ADUs, and requires mixed-use for certain developments. It also streamlines site plan review and adjust regulations to encourage infill development.
FULL STORY: ‘Closer and higher’: Durham becomes 9th largest city in US to end required parking
Pittsburgh Mayor Proposes Zoning Changes to Curb Housing Shortage
The mayor’s plan includes legalizing ADUs in single-family neighborhoods, eliminating parking requirements, and adding new affordability requirements to buildings with over 20 units.
Can Zoning Reform Save Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing?
With home sale prices growing faster than anywhere in the country, the Steel City could enact major reforms to boost density and lower housing costs.
NYC ‘City of Yes’ Seeks to Scale Back Parking Requirements
A rise in permit applications after recent changes to parking requirements shows how parking mandates stifle new residential development and raise the cost of housing.
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.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service