Planning Commissioners Journal

Slashing Infill Development Fees in Nashville

The Metro Planning Commission in Nashville, Tennessee, just made a move to stimulate development in distressed parts of the city by slashing development fees. This from a report on the Nashville Post web site (4.24.09):

"Planning Commission to cut fees for infill projects: Costs for applications slashed by 80 percent. The Metro Planning Commission on Thursday green-lighted a proposed change to the development fee structure that will reduce fees for projects meant to spark development in distressed neighborhoods. The change was passed unanimously."

As further explained on the Metro Planning Commission web page: "Commissioners voted April 23 to cut the application fee from $2100 to $400 for consolidation plats and some subdivisions, effective immediately. That change applies to partition and/or final plat proposals on existing streets inside the Briley Parkway loop, and to all consolidation plats countywide. It does not apply to plats requiring new public infrastructure."

Has your planning department made any similar moves? If so, add a comment below to help get the word out that infill development is one key way to strengthen our cities.

Our Spring Issue: Now Available

Note from Planning Commissioners Journal Editor Wayne Senville about our Spring issue: The Density Challenge. That's what many of us face: trying to figure out what densities will work best in our communities, and where. Density-related disputes can be among the most heated that planning commissioners face. In this issue of the Planning Commissioners Journal, planning consultant Elizabeth Humstone asks us to take a step back, and consider some of the factors that come into play when considering density. Transportation & Safety. Our transportation planning columnist, Hannah Twaddell, focuses in our Spring issue on why transportation planners need to consider more than just motor vehicles when considering safety. You'll hear about "complete streets," and read some startling statistics on the financial impacts of traffic accidents. Rounding out our issue: -- Civic consultant Otis White explains how phone trees can be used to generate high turnout at planning-related meetings. -- Elaine Cogan offers her insights on how planning commissioners can be most effective at meetings. -- The Editors of Planetizen report on some web sites worth visiting. One other important piece of news. I've just returned from the first leg of a multi-year "project" -- circling the U.S. to report on planning issues facing a wide range of communities, big and small, East, West, North, and South. You can follow my travels on: www.CircleTheUSA.com. Take a look at my first 18 reports. Hope to have the chance to meet some of you along the way. Subscribe to the Planning Comm'rs Journal, and start with our Spring issue, now available. To order online, go to the bottom of the page. You can also order by calling our office: 802-864-9083. Note: government orders can call and request to be invoiced. If you just want to download this issue (without a subscription) or want to download individual articles from the Spring issue, use this link.

Contents of our Spring issue
Getting the Density You Want by Beth Humstone Perhaps nothing gets a community more riled up than a discussion of density. Some fear that density, if too high, will create congestion, deplete open space, and block light and air. Others fear that density, if too low, will eat up valuable natural resources and fail to meet housing needs. A look at how you can plan for the density that works best for your community.
	Density Without High-Rises? by Edward T. McMahon High-rise buildings are not necessarily the best answer to promoting denser, more walkable communities, argues Urban Land Institute Senior Resident Fellow Ed McMahon.
Growing Safer: Improving Roadways for Everyone by Hannah Twaddell Transportation planners know how critical it is to assess safety issues. But what can we do if a strategy to improve safety for one group of roadway users, such as drivers, has the unintended effect of decreasing safety for others, such as pedestrians? Some ways to make roadways safer for everyone.
	Dialing for Citizens by Otis White You've worked hard to organize a community visioning initiative. But how do you persuade a cross-section of your community to attend vision meetings and share their ideas about the future? Pick up the phone, recommends civic consultant Otis White.
How Do We Get There? by Jim Segedy and Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy What's the recipe for successful implementation of your community's plan? One key is to get citizens involved -- and not have them view their participation as work! That's the focus of this installment of the Segedys' series on preparing the comprehensive plan.
	Learning to Enjoy Your Service on the Commission by Elaine Cogan How can you do a better job as a planning commissioner? Long-time PCJ columnist Elaine Cogan offers some basic principles for your consideration.
Planetizen Update Seven web sites of special interest to citizen planners.

Subscribe to the Planning Comm'rs Journal ($67/year), and start with our Spring issue. For more information about the Journal. note: use the above button except for local government orders from cities under 25,000 pop., counties under 75,000, and non-profit organizations eligible for our small community rate ($55/year) -- please use this link instead. You can also order by calling our office: 802-864-9083. Note: government orders can call and request to be invoiced.

Worth Wait to Dispose E-Waste

From Planning Comm'rs Journal Editor Wayne Senville:

Now that I'm back from the first leg of my Circle the USA travels, I was able to get rid of two old computers, a printer, multiple keyboards and mice, and assorted cables.

It was all part of a great e-waste recycling event organized by Small Dog Electronics. It was held yesterday at South Burlington High School here in northwestern Vermont, and was definitely worth the half hour wait.

To the right is a photo I took while in line, and inserted below is a great YouTube time-lapsed video that Small Dog just posted. Hope this is something your community does.

Back from first leg of "Circle the USA"

From PCJ Editor Wayne Senville:

Just returned from a fascinating week on the road -- the first segment of my planned "Circle the USA" travels. I've filed the following reports, with three more still to post. Take a look, and sign up for Circle the USA blog feed and/or email updates.

 

-- Main Street Mill: "The Perfect Trifecta"

-- "A Harbor You Can Sail Into"

-- Wrestling a Yankee

-- Downtown Housing -Minus Parking +Plus Commercial

-- A "Utility Player" Among Planners

-- The Two Faces of Cooperstown

-- Who's Planning?

-- For the Love of Steam

-- Leadership for Diversity

-- Punching Through the Walls

-- Where America's Oil Industry Was Born

-- College & Community

-- Gateway Art

My next two segments will cover Cleveland to Chicago (primarily through southern Michigan and northern Indiana), and then Chicago to Seattle. Again, check out our Circle the USA web site where announcements will be posted.