<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=23fCm2_0vjT48Qe00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=23fCm2_0vjT48Qe00" width="738" height="554" ></figure>A Los Angeles law takes a piecemeal approach to road widening, calling for road expansion in front of new developments. | Unwind / Adobe StockAmong the raft of bills signed by California Governor Newsom last week is Assembly Bill 3177, which prohibits local governments and agencies from requiring road widening next to new housing developments to achieve higher traffic flow, known as “level of service,” or “to achieve a desired roadway width.”Under the new law, local governments would need to provide “substantial evidence” to require setting aside land for new roadway space, explains Melanie Curry in Streetsblog California. The law explicitly calls out a Los Angeles city law that calls for piecemeal “spot widening” in front of new developments, which often results in a zig-zag pattern that doesn’t improve traffic and eliminates thousands of square feet of land that could have been used for additional housing. While AB 3177 will eliminate this requirement for residential projects, the Los Angeles law will still apply to other types of developments.According to the bill’s analysis, “A 2016 research study published in the Journal of Transport and Land Use found that road widening requirements in Los Angeles can cost developers over $10,000 per unit, resulting in up to hundreds of thousands of dollars being added to projects subjected to these requirements in certain instances.” Monday, September 23, 2024 in Streetsblog CaliforniaAs someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation PlannerAs someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.Corey D, Transportation PlannerCan Zoning Reform Save Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing? With home sale prices growing faster than anywhere in the country, the Steel City could enact major reforms to boost density and lower housing costs.September 19, 2024 - BenzingaThe state’s comptroller warns that demand will continue to outpace supply without zoning reforms and a reduction in regulatory barriers. September 13, 2024 - KFDXA survey by Fannie Mae found widespread skepticism among housing experts that zoning reforms will be enacted widely enough to make a major impact on U.S. housing supply.September 11, 2024 - Housing WireSchool drop-off lines are becoming longer and more isolating than ever.September 20, 2024 - The AtlanticThe third phase of the project will expand service to downtown Honolulu on the ‘nation’s first large-scale, publicly run automated metro system.’September 23, 2024 - The Cool DownThe proposed rail line would link Dallas and Houston via a 90-minute trip.September 17, 2024 - NewsweekHousing developers will no longer be required to dedicate land to roadway widening, which could significantly reduce the cost of construction and support more housing units.September 25 - Streetsblog CaliforniaRiders who park Lime bikes or scooters at one of 14 designated Link light rail stations can earn free trips on the region’s transit systems.September 25 - Mass TransitThe equivalent of 480 nuclear reactors’a worth of power generated from renewable sources is being produced but not captured in the U.S. and Europe — a number expected to grow as investment flows into the renewable energy industry.September 25 - Nikkei AsiaThis six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.<h2>Events</h2>Knoxville-Knox County Planning HUD's Office of Policy Development and ResearchHUDs Office of Policy Development and Research</div></body>

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California Law Ends Road Widening Mandates

A Los Angeles law takes a piecemeal approach to road widening, calling for road expansion in front of new developments. | Unwind / Adobe Stock. Among the raft of bills signed by California Governor Newsom last week is Assembly Bill 3177, which prohibits local governments and agencies from requiring road widening next to new housing developments to achieve higher traffic flow, known as “level of service,” or “to achieve a desired roadway width.”