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
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
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
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
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
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
In an effort to “fundamentally change [the State’s] approach to housing development, particularly for the moderate and affordable development we need most,” the Rhode Island General Assembly recently passed a slew of...more
Bill extends exemption from CEQA and discretionary entitlements for housing projects while adding the Coastal Zone to the mix - If you are having trouble keeping track of all the housing bills in California this year,...more
Recent Legislation Amending the Surplus Lands Act Provides Clarity and Additional Flexibility to Public Agencies - Recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 747 and Assembly Bill 480 into law to make common-sense...more
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick, along with other public officials, have announced three initiatives to spur the conversion of vacant office buildings into housing....more
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Senate Bill 102 on March 28, 2023, with an effective date of July 1, 2023. Commonly referred to as the Live Local Act (the Act), it has significant land use, zoning and tax benefits...more
Kramer Levin recently hosted a seminar titled “Emerging Issues in Land Use: The Year in Review and What’s Ahead,” where experts discussed New York City planning initiatives and land use trends. Among the speakers were Jessica...more
Picture this scenario: You have a residential development project that had conceptual approval from the local Planning Board two years ago. Under the local laws that existed when you applied for your approval, you were...more
Last week the Office of the Attorney General demonstrated the State of California’s unwillingness to cede its enforcement of state housing laws even in the face of defiance from local governments. On April 10, in People of...more
Noisy college students, the new CEQA impact? Would you be surprised to learn that college students can throw noisy parties? Uh, no, but it may be a surprise that they constitute a potentially significant environmental impact...more
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ wide-ranging land use bill targeting housing affordability was introduced on March 22, 2023, as SB 23-213, sponsored by Sen. Dominick Moreno (D-Adams) and Reps. Iman Jodeh (D-Arapahoe) and Steven...more
As of January 31st, the deadline for many Bay Area cities and counties to adopt legally compliant Housing Elements now has passed, and many jurisdictions remain without certifications from the California Department of Housing...more
On Dec. 8, Mayor Eric Adams released “Get Stuff Built,” a report on the building and land use approval streamlining task force (BLAST). The task force was convened from more than two dozen city agencies and was charged with...more
On October 20, Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke introduced legislation that would institute mandatory inclusionary zoning in a portion of his district. The legislation would expand both requirements imposed...more
On December 4, 2019, the Los Angeles City Council adopted Ordinance No. 186477 which prohibits a “restricted developer” or “principal” from making contributions to the Mayor, City Attorney, City Councilmember, a candidate...more
In a post pandemic world which has seen a seismic shift in living and working habits, it is no secret that the government wants to update the planning system. Whilst we wait for Gove's "transformative" Levelling Up and...more
On February 11, 2022, the Vermont Supreme Court revised its analysis in the Snowstone appeal addressing the question of when development triggers Act 250 jurisdiction in so‑called “one-acre towns.” ...more
On December 6, the Committee of Law and Government approved Council President Clarke’s proposal to alter the composition and processes of the Zoning Board of Adjustments. Proposed changes include:.....more