Change zoning laws to promote walkable development
Change zoning and land-use regulations to promote mixed-use walkable development.
Adminfrontseat
(Admin, obamaurbanpolicy) shared this idea
11 comments
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rynokil
commented
A federal land use agenda is much needed. The political gerry-mandering to make suburban districts more powerful than urban districts will be difficult to fight. Instead, the president can enact a federal land use agenda that would require all federal transportation and CDBG dollars to be allocated only to those projects which meet the ten tenets of "smart growth" (or similar standards).
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compnenvplanner
commented
Yes - creating walkable communities is a HUGE goal, near the top of my list. WRONG methodology. Zoning should remain a local issue. Would fed gov't pay for nationwide zoning amendments? Would there be other "tacked-on" requirements? More practical/effective: redo the 1920s Standard State Zoning Enabling Act to reflect/support and clarify legality of Form Based Codes, PUDs, TODs, etc.
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epheterson
commented
I'm a college student, I recently moved close to campus so that I can walk or bike anywhere and I barely ever have to start my car. What's more, I'm more social with my friends since it's easier to get to them and I'm in better shape! Show me a downside!
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domz60
commented
Strongly promote traditional, timeless, walkable design. All forms of lifestyles should be promoted. Make all forms legal, rather than only suburban. Land Value Taxation is a must. By contrast, system used by nearly all cities, discourages infill, improvement & redevelopment of property in the city core area, thereby promotes sprawl & the speculative holding of property as surface parking lots.
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Hooker
commented
Property taxes need to work with zoning. If we change from a tax on land and improvements to a tax on land alone, that change will incourage infill and redevelopment of urban land to its "highest and best" use. See http://www.urbantools.net/
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EvMac
commented
Look at what Maryland did under Gov. Glendening. Target Federal funds and grants toward projects that follow "Smart Growth" principles, and limit funding for projects that encourage sprawl and SOV use. Work on legislation that encourages all states to follow suit, and let it trickle down!
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urbangirl
commented
i dont know how to do this as we dont have a federal land use policy. maybe there is a way to provide incentives through transportation and housing funding to promote the states to do this?
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crandell
commented
I'm curious how this could be addressed at the federal level. Seems like federal transportation funding is the best opportunity to influence land use.
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tcoop52
commented
At the Federal level support (through federal funding and relevant legislation) local efforts to maximize use of existing public infrastructure/facilities (for example: shared/community use of school grounds during non-school hours) within existing urban footprints. By making these spaces more accessible to the surrounding public, a community may become more livable/walkable.
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jessekb
commented
Noble idea, but there's little that the Federal Government can do to change zoning laws. Zoning's a local issue in the U.S.
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urbanplanner45
commented
This is essential. Absolutely essential. We can't get further in this country if we don't let reform the very mechanisms that make walkable, sustainable development illegal.
