jar546
CBO
I’m diving into a topic that’s close to my heart and vital for the future of our communities: common sense zoning regulations. Let’s talk about making our neighborhoods more walkable by allowing mixed-use developments. Imagine having a small grocery store or a café just a short walk from your home. This not only makes daily errands more convenient but also reduces car traffic, making our streets safer and our air cleaner. It’s time to rethink our approach to zoning.
We need to look at increasing densities in suburban areas. This isn’t about cramming people into tiny spaces; it’s about creating vibrant communities where people can live, work, and play without having to drive miles. Higher density supports local businesses, fosters a sense of community, and makes public transportation viable. When we build smarter, we reduce the strain on our infrastructure and make more efficient use of our resources.
Another point we need to address is the outdated minimum parking space requirements. The USA is turning into one big parking lot, and it’s not sustainable. Cities like Buffalo have already eliminated these requirements, encouraging development that prioritizes people over cars. Let’s take a leaf out of Europe’s book and invest more in public transportation. This shift will not only reduce our environmental footprint but also free up space for parks, playgrounds, and other community amenities.
We can also mention that the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) movement has been around for decades and with the increased cost of housing, we may see less dissent from them. People are realizing that more housing options and mixed-use developments can alleviate the housing crisis and make living more affordable.
The bottom line is, municipalities do better when we plan for dense, mixed-use developments. The cost of sprawling infrastructure outweighs the benefits, and we’re left with massive parking lots and empty spaces. It’s time for a change. By promoting walkable, dense neighborhoods with a mix of uses, we can create more livable, sustainable, and resilient communities. Let’s push for these changes in our local zoning laws and lead by example.
Looking forward to your thoughts and continuing this conversation.
We need to look at increasing densities in suburban areas. This isn’t about cramming people into tiny spaces; it’s about creating vibrant communities where people can live, work, and play without having to drive miles. Higher density supports local businesses, fosters a sense of community, and makes public transportation viable. When we build smarter, we reduce the strain on our infrastructure and make more efficient use of our resources.
Another point we need to address is the outdated minimum parking space requirements. The USA is turning into one big parking lot, and it’s not sustainable. Cities like Buffalo have already eliminated these requirements, encouraging development that prioritizes people over cars. Let’s take a leaf out of Europe’s book and invest more in public transportation. This shift will not only reduce our environmental footprint but also free up space for parks, playgrounds, and other community amenities.
We can also mention that the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) movement has been around for decades and with the increased cost of housing, we may see less dissent from them. People are realizing that more housing options and mixed-use developments can alleviate the housing crisis and make living more affordable.
The bottom line is, municipalities do better when we plan for dense, mixed-use developments. The cost of sprawling infrastructure outweighs the benefits, and we’re left with massive parking lots and empty spaces. It’s time for a change. By promoting walkable, dense neighborhoods with a mix of uses, we can create more livable, sustainable, and resilient communities. Let’s push for these changes in our local zoning laws and lead by example.
Looking forward to your thoughts and continuing this conversation.