SCAG asks state department to reduce housing estimates for Southern California, but state stands firm, setting the stage for a battle.
In December 1998, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) estimated that the six-county southern California region from Ventura County to Orange County and east to the Inland Empire would need to plan for 625,000 housing units by 2005. At the request of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the state reduced that number to 504,000 units. Local cities and counties must comply with the estimates or risk losing state funding. SCAG is urging the HCD to reduce the estimate again, but HCD is standing firm. The six county region is anticipated to add 2 million people by 2005. The article includes a graph showing housing units needed within cities.
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Showdown Set Over State's Requirements for New 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.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.

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