Monthly Archives: October 2023

California has defensible space rules to protect buildings from wildfires. This may soon include  a space of 5 feet from a building to vegetaion. These new proposed rules for high risk wildfire areas would be the first of its kind in the nation. NPR | With wildfires growing, California writes new rules on where to plant […]

The Texas House added this amendment to a “border security” bill, HB 6 (2023 | 88(3) Texas) that prohibits the use of eminent domain to acquire property on the border. The Texas international border is as long as it is complicated. Ranchers graze their herds in the Rio Grande, the Catholic Church owns land that crosses the border, so do […]

 Last week we talked about Missoula Montana’s affordable housing to be built on county donated land that has received 5 applications for each unit. Well, Georgia has even bigger numbers. 177,000 applications for 13,000 housing vouchers available under its Housing Choice Voucher program.  AP | Georgia agency gets 177,000 applications for housing aid, but only has 13,000 spots […]

Remember how we talked about a bar near the Alamo that was being taken by eminent domain for Alamo purposes? Well, there’s been a settlement of $6.75 million. So let’s look how the numbers went. The owners last offer was $10 million. The city’s last pubic offer: $5.3 million. A “business valuation” of the property […]

“A law approved by the French parliament last March mandates that rooftops on new buildings in commercial zones must be partially covered either by solar panels or plants.” @plasticquickly and @wastefreeplanet

Missoula, Montana donated land for an affordable housing project. The project is moving forward thanks to the land donation and existing tax credit program. There are 5 applications for each of the 200 units. “It’s all about partnerships,” said Sara Stout, with the Missoula Housing Authority. Route Fifty | How one city added hundreds of […]

 Michigan Supreme Court is considering whether a warrant will be required for both criminal and civil violations before a drone can be flown over private property. The case stems from a township flying a drone over private property to investigate whether to issue civil citations. Government Technology | Should Police Need a Warrant to Fly […]

Guess who wants to deregulate housing markets? @catoinstitute They suggest leaving housing and homelessness to local governments and for them to implement their Housing First approach. CATO | Housing Markets First: Housing Supply and Affordability Are Key to Reducing Homelessness

Denver has a program that gave $1000/month to the unhoused. Turns out that the program increased employment rates and reduced homeless rates. It’s not just Denver, cities across the globe have implemented similar programs and found benefits to their communities and economies. @workingfamilies

Meet the “social district.” What is a social district you ask… A social district is an area where you can walk around with your open alcoholic beverage. North Carolina is adding social districts to its downtowns as a means of reviving downtown areas. It all stems from House Bill 890 (2021 | NC). Governing | Can […]