SD legislators calling for eminent domain special session

Legislators in South Dakota are calling for a special session to prohibit the use of eminent domain “to strip property rights from landowners for the benefit of an out-of-state private company with foreign investors.” The pro-private property rights legislators are joined by environmentalists who are concerned by safety and the potential environmental impact of the carbon pipeline that could traverse South Dakota.

News Center 1 South Dakota | South Dakota Lawmakers Launch Petition Drive to Protect Property Rights Against Carbon Pipeline

building codes. $90 M grant program

The Department of Energy has launched a $90 million grant program to help states and local governments update their building codes. Residential and commercial buildings make up 40% of the U.S. energy consumption. 35% of communities have modern building codes according to FEMA. The communities that do not have  modern building codes,  lost $32 billion in climate-related losses. The National Energy Codes Collaborative is a grant recipient and a peer-to-peer network for state and local leaders as they implement building energy codes. The Collaborative counts Colorado, New Jersey, Michigan and Louisiana as members.

Router Fifty | $90M awarded to update building energy codes

city creates public bank for affordable housing

Los Angeles is creating a public bank to fund affordable housing. Supporters say the public bank will be more willing to fund affordable housing and “better than private banks to serve Black and Latino communities, small businesses, green energy initiatives.” Los Angeles has the power to do this because of 2020’s AB 857.

Los Angeles Times via Governing | Los Angeles Moves Forward on Creation of a Public Bank

meet Florida’s sprawl bill

Florida’s SB 540 (2023 | FL) signed by Gov. De Santis is being called a way to  “level the playing field” for developers going up against local governments with large tax bases who might stretch out the time of the lawsuit and rack up expensive attorney fees, according to the bill’s author. For the bill’s opponents, it is seen as means of preventing smart growth plans.

Governing | New Florida Law Could Impact Housing, Conservation, Evacuation

building performance standards

 5 states have adopted building performance standards to address building energy efficiency. Oregon, Colorado, Maryland, Washington and the District of Columbia have all adopted building performance standards. California, Rhode Island, Minnesota and New York, are considering similar legislation. In Washington D.C. buildings are an estimated to be  75% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Route Fifty | It’s time for buildings to stop using a third of US energy, some states say

Dallas short term rental ban in residential neighborhoods

Dallas City Council has passed a short term rental ban for all single family residential neighborhoods. Short term rentals can operate in areas with multi family housing and commercial areas if they register and pay taxes like hotels do.

Fox 4 | Dallas City Council bans short-term rentals from single-family areas

eminent domain + Fairfield Park

Texas is seeking to use eminent domain to acquire a state park. Well, it was a state park for decades. The state leased the land from the property owner for a nominal fee. The lease terminated. Developers want to build. There were negotiations. Negotiations weren’t fruitful, and the state wants to keep its park. Here we are- public park space v. the building of a gated community and a golf course.

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