Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

What’s happening? Houston Freedman’s Town Conservancy was created with the support of the city planning office. The Conservancy is looking into the historical use of eminent domain that “wipe[d] out our heritage” Why is this important? Coast to coast cities are looking at historical uses of eminent domain that impacted black and people of color […]

What is happening? Imagine a couple planning their retirement home on top of a ridge looking at the Cascades. They said no to solar arrays and their neighbors did not. Why is this important? How does one align renewable energy and land owner desire to protect property values, protect wildlife, and address concerns about the […]

What is happening? Saunders County (Nebraska) Planning Commission rejected a solar installation site in part for its proximity to a cemetery Why is this important? It’s not an often brought up reason for solar placement, but how many small rural cemeteries are within a certain number of feet of a solar array? How will this […]

What’s happening? Nevada Legislature is considering AB 363 (2021 | NV) which would preempt local ordinances and establish a statewide framework for short term rentals. Why is this important? In addition to the usual who is operating and licensing, this bill would also provide space distance requirements between short term rentals of 500 feet. How […]

What’s happening? 6 counties in the Greater Sacramento California are are joining forces to build a biking and hiking trail through 6 counties. Which will involve the taking of land. Why is this important? COVID has resulted in an increase in the sale of bicycles. How will this be important? The bike trail will be […]

What’s happening? The US Supreme Court is hearing a case between the State of New Jersey and a Pipeline on whether the pipeline can take state land for its project. I want to say this a goose and gander situation, but I’ll withhold. Why is this important? Eminent Domain cases getting tricky the multiple constitutional […]

What is happening? Florida passed legislation to limit developer impact fees.  Impact fees are fees paid by developers to help local governments shoulder the cost of roads and other infrastructure associated with new growth. H337 (2021 | FL) Why is this important? Critics say this only harms local control. How will this be important? A […]

What is happening? North Carolina is considering HB 401 (2021 | NC) that would require local zoning codes to include middle housing in residential zoning. Middle Housing is duplexes, townhomes, triplexes, & quadplexes in single family residential zoning. It also requires local governments to allow at least one accessory dwelling for single-family resident. These accessory […]

What’s happening? North Carolina Legislature is considering House Bill 496 (2021 | NC), the Property Owners’ Rights/Tree Ordinances Act, that would require state legislature approval of any local government tree removal ordinance. Why is this important? The mix of policy considerations is what makes this interesting. The State protecting a property owner’s right to use […]

What is happening? Missouri is considering SB 508 which would require that a project that uses eminent domain is overseen by the Missouri Public Service Commission would have to present resolutions from each county that has a portion of the project to the Commission for approval. Why is this important? In Texas, there have been […]