2025 saw a number of Growth Management Act (GMA) and housing related bills in Washington, which are particularly relevant as planning counties and cities are in the middle of preparing their comprehensive plan updates and as...more
Earlier this year, Gaithersburg commenced an initiative called “Build Gaithersburg 2040” to update the city’s master plan. The update focuses on two key master plan elements – land use and transportation....more
On August 15, 2025, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (the “Minister”) announced the approval of several Official Plan Amendments, with modifications, to increase density and height limits in certain Major...more
After securing the approval of the Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee, as well as the Land Use Committee of the New York City (NYC) Council on August 6, 2025, the full NYC Council voted on August 14, 2025, to approve the...more
The New York City Council approved the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan (AAMUP) on May 28, 2025. This initiative represents a significant rezoning aimed at transforming a key corridor in Central Brooklyn, which has been zoned...more
On May 28, 2025, the New York City Council approved the city-led Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan (AAMUP, pronounced "aim up"), rezoning a low-density industrial stretch of Atlantic Avenue and surrounding blocks in Brooklyn’s...more
On January 21, 2025, the New York City Planning Commission (CPC) certified the city-led Midtown South Mixed-Use (MSMX) Plan into public review. The MSMX Plan is the first piece of the Adams administration’s “Manhattan Plan,”...more
CHICAGO — Data Shows City’s Labor Market Stabilizing - Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said the latest jobs report suggests the labor market is stabilizing at full employment and is not a sign of an...more
In Westside Los Angeles Neighbors Network v. City of Los Angeles (2024) 104 Cal.App.5th 223, the Second District held that the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission (“Commission”) was a decision-making body authorized to...more
The recently adopted City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (COYHO) text amendment effected a sweeping overhaul of the city’s zoning regulations, as discussed in our recent client alert. Last week’s client alert discussed...more
The recently adopted City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (COYHO) text amendment effected a sweeping overhaul of the city’s zoning regulations, as discussed in our recent client alert. In the coming weeks, Kramer Levin will be...more
New York City initiative to encourage development and help alleviate the city’s housing crisis through sweeping zoning changes inches closer to approval with latest vote. Key modifications focus on parking mandates and...more
The Michigan Court of Appeals recently provided clarification related to a municipality’s grant or denial of special land use permit applications. The case highlights the care municipal bodies must take to document their...more
After an 18-month study process, the Boston Planning Department has released an Action Plan proposing strategies to modernize Boston’s development review process. The Planning Department is accepting comments on the plan...more
In an opinion filed on July 24, and later ordered published on August 19, 2024, the Second District Court of Appeal (Div. 4) affirmed the trial court’s judgment denying a writ petition challenging actions taken by the Los...more
City of Los Angeles - Increase to Planning Applications and Affordable Housing Linkage Fees - On July 1, 2024, the fee for planning and land use applications increased by 3.5% based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban...more
The City of Bellevue has released a long-awaited draft of its Comprehensive Plan that will impact development opportunities in the city for the coming decades. Members of the public have additional opportunities to comment on...more
The New York State FY 2025 budget legislation enacted on April 20th included an important and long-awaited housing reform for New York City: elimination of the “12 FAR” cap for residential buildings. City officials and...more
On April 11, 2024, the NYC Department of City Planning unveiled the details of the proposed City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (CYHO), which is the third part of the most ambitious and comprehensive overhaul of New York...more
Following a recent planning study, Fairfax County has seated a task force to begin re-writing the comprehensive plan for Centreville, Virginia. The updated comprehensive plan will guide any necessary or desired zoning and...more
Fauquier County and Fairfax County are tightening zoning regulations for data center developments. In March, the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors approved zoning changes for the Vint Hill area's Planned Commercial...more
On April 11, 2024, the Department of City Planning (DCP) released the proposed City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning text changes. The proposed text was released in advance of the formal public review process (ULURP),...more
We would not blame you if you said that dealing with attorneys is not your favorite part of being a municipal official. However, in our defense, people use attorneys because they need help with complicated legal processes and...more
The County of San Diego planning staff found a project qualified for a CEQA exemption under Guideline 15183, which applies to projects consistent with a general plan for which an EIR had been prepared. On appeal, the Board...more
New York City is saying “yes” to zoning reform. In June 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and Director of City Planning (DCP) Dan Garodnick announced the “City of Yes” initiative to revamp New York’s zoning framework in an effort to aid...more