A few things to know this week: April 23, 2021
This week’s things to know:
Anticipated 'car-free' development moves forward (CNU)
When the car-free development cul-de-sac was first pitched in one of the country's most auto-centric communities (Tempe, Arizona), many people balked saying it wouldn't work. Early results are proving naysayers wrong. Phase 1, which is scheduled for completion later this year, is already 100% pre-leased and over 3000 people from across the country have expressed interest in relocating here. There are a lot of things needed to make this type of development work (like access to public transit), but I think building more developments like this in strategic locations can be a catalyst for transitioning autocentric regions and communities to places that are more affordable, equitable, and resilient. -Kevin
Zoning: Biden infrastructure bill would curb single-family housing (USA Today)
Affordable housing is in great demand in communities across our nation, and as the economy continues to be unpredictable in a way many Americans find unsettling, it is at the forefront of any discussion about a city's future. Under President Biden's leadership, two fair housing rules are currently being reviewed, and the topic of exclusionary zoning - still present in most cities as NIMBY-ism continues to gain momentum - is receiving great scrutiny. By the National Multifamily Housing Council's analysis, the United States would need to add an average of 328,000 units every year by 2030 to meet the demand of a growing population. As part of Biden's infrastructure plan, cities that change zoning laws in ways that are conducive to creating more affordable housing would be eligible to receive tax credits and grants. Keep watching as this unfolds, it could be a big push needed to dislodge the hold that single-family zoning has on between 75%-90% of most cities' footprints. -AJ
Ten Questions Communities Trying to Attract Remote Workers Should Ask (Route Fifty)
The pandemic has prompted more communities to explore ways to recruit remote workers. Here are 10 questions community leaders should think about when developing a strategy to attract remote workers. -Kevin
Storefront Stagnation: Coping With Neighborhood Retail’s New Realities (Governing)
The emergence of online shopping and the pandemic have dealt strong blows to local, small businesses. This article acknowledges that many of these changes are here to stay, and makes the case that "survival of neighborhood retail commerce, even in truncated form, could depend on the answer to a complex question: Who has the rights in a battle over local commerce? Is it the landlord, the tenant or the community? If it is merely a struggle between the landlord and the tenant, the landlord will win almost every time. If the community has a voice, the result is likely to be different." -Kevin
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