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City of Asheville's Compliance Division Ensures Adherence to Unified Development Ordinances

City of Asheville's Compliance Division Ensures Adherence to Unified Development Ordinances

The City of Asheville's Development Services Department includes a Compliance Division dedicated to ensuring adherence to the City’s Unified Development Ordinances (UDO). This division administers compliance related to zoning and noise regulations within the city. Residents can submit complaints through the Asheville App, and staff will follow up during business hours to investigate. While staff may arrange investigations outside normal business hours, they are not on-call for immediate responses, advising 911 for safety risks. The Compliance Division is staffed by a manager, Chris O’Brien, and zoning enforcement officers, Harry Gillis and Kaleigh Benesch, along with a noise compliance officer, Daniel Oropesa. Their work is crucial for maintaining the city's planned development and quality of life for its residents.
Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota Herald-Tribune
Top Sarasota area events this weekend include beach party, Oktoberfest

Top Sarasota area events this weekend include beach party, Oktoberfest

A beach party, Oktoberfest celebration, free family-friendly events and more things to do in the Sarasota this weekend, Sept. 25-27.
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Honolulu City Council Considers New 38-Story High-Rise Development Near Ala Moana Shopping Center

Honolulu City Council Considers New 38-Story High-Rise Development Near Ala Moana Shopping Center

A proposed project, 1588 Ala Moana, is currently under consideration by the Honolulu City Council. This development aims to transform a section of the Ala Moana Shopping Center by adding a 38-story hotel and over 200 residential units. The plan involves replacing an existing parking structure. Approximately 35% of the residential units are designated as affordable housing for families earning 80% or below the area median income, which translates to an annual income of $123,200 for an average family of four, with this affordability maintained for 30 years. The city's Department of Planning and Permitting reviewed the project in July, subsequently forwarding it to the council's Zoning and Planning Committee for approval. The committee has adopted the conceptual plan, and it will now proceed to the full council for further review. The developer, Kobayashi Group LLC, estimates the project could generate 6,000 construction jobs.
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Mid-America Regional Council Awards $1.2 Million for Sustainable Places Planning in Kansas and Missouri

Mid-America Regional Council Awards $1.2 Million for Sustainable Places Planning in Kansas and Missouri

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Board of Directors and Total Transportation Policy Committee have approved $1,202,500 in grant funds for 11 local Planning Sustainable Places (PSP) studies. These studies are distributed across five projects in Kansas, four in Missouri, and two bi-state initiatives. The grants were awarded through a competitive process that received 28 submissions. The PSP program aims to support community efforts in creating vibrant, connected, and green places, aligning with the region’s long-range transportation plan, Connected KC 2050, and various city and county comprehensive plans. Projects include the 87th Street Corridor Study in Overland Park, Kansas, and the Leavenworth Development Regulations Update in Leavenworth, Kansas.
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Ba Town Council Expands Parking Capacity by Converting Former Central Arcade Building

Ba Town Council Expands Parking Capacity by Converting Former Central Arcade Building

The Ba Town Council is expanding parking capacity in Ba by converting its former Central Arcade building into a new car park. The building, which was damaged by fire in 2021, is being repurposed to provide up to 100 additional parking spaces. Special Administrator Moshim Khan stated that the revenue generated from parking fees is reinvested into parking infrastructure. This initiative aims to alleviate parking pressure, particularly in the busy market area of the town. The conversion project is expected to be completed within the next two months, offering a significant increase in available parking for residents and visitors. The council is also exploring options for creating even more parking spaces around the town to further address the demand.
The Commercial AppealThe Commercial Appeal
Germantown couple appeal approval of Bodine School expansion

Germantown couple appeal approval of Bodine School expansion

A Germantown couple submitted an application to appeal the planning commission's approval of the Bodine School expansion project.
Palm Beach PostPalm Beach Post
Exclusive: West Palm leaders fume at delays at 'tent site' tower

Exclusive: West Palm leaders fume at delays at 'tent site' tower

Mayor Keith James says a billionaire real estate mogul's company is "gaslighting" the city on its most prominent undeveloped parcel.
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New Affordable Housing Development Opens on Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh

New Affordable Housing Development Opens on Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has seen the opening of a new affordable housing development, The Standard on Fifth, located on Fifth Avenue near Downtown. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the residential building, with some residents already having moved in and applications being accepted for new tenants. The development features 51 apartments, with 41 designated as affordable, offering one, two, and three-bedroom homes. Pittsburgh City Councilman Dan Lavelle praised the development for setting a new standard for affordable housing, while Monica Malik, Executive Board Member of Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh, highlighted its significance for a corner that had been vacant for years. The location was chosen due to its proximity to a major transit hub, with local officials expressing hopes for the completion of the University Line.
Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota Herald-Tribune
Sarasota County approves contested Siesta Key beach land swap

Sarasota County approves contested Siesta Key beach land swap

Sarasota County approves Siesta Key deal for three public beach lots as commissioner calls the land swap a costly mistake.
Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota Herald-Tribune
Sarasota's Midnight Pass deemed 'dynamically stable'

Sarasota's Midnight Pass deemed 'dynamically stable'

Nearly two years after hurricanes reopened Midnight Pass, Sarasota County commissioners approved five steps aimed at keeping it open.
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Midwest Communities Prioritize Place-Based Planning for Rural Housing Development

Midwest Communities Prioritize Place-Based Planning for Rural Housing Development

Local leaders across the Midwest are increasingly adopting place-based planning approaches to address housing shortages in rural areas. This strategy focuses on adding housing without compromising the unique character, agricultural land, or natural landscapes of these communities. Examples of context-sensitive solutions include clustered housing developments that preserve open space, small-scale infill around commercial or community centers, and attached or detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for multigenerational living. These methods aim to provide new housing options for local workers, families, and aging residents while maintaining the rural aesthetic and community cohesion. The goal is to build housing faster and smarter, integrating it thoughtfully into existing infrastructure and long-term community visions.
Springfield News-LeaderSpringfield News-Leader
Springfield Plaza developer asks for changes, extension of TIF deal

Springfield Plaza developer asks for changes, extension of TIF deal

Development along west Sunshine Street has been progressing, but a Springfield Plaza developer wants to adjust its TIF to spur more investment.