Richard C. Lynds Esq.’s Post

Check out this short analysis of the recently approved zoning changes in East Boston from a local land use attorney. Really interesting set of changes, especially in light of the new ‘Streets & Squares’ zoning reform that appears focused on similar changes.

"America's best zoning reform": This week with our Kingston clients we're celebrating not only the #CNU33 Charter Award, but also the 2024 Local Government Achievement Award from the NY Conference of Mayors! https://lnkd.in/eDsRDdRD Dover, Kohl, & Partners Town Planning #urbanplanning #NewUrbanism #formbasedcodes #missingmiddlehousing #parkingreform Gridics

Zoning is a critical component of urban planning and development, serving as the foundation for how land within a city or town is utilized. 🌆 It's essentially a set of regulations that determine what types of structures can be built in specific areas, guiding everything from the height and density of buildings to the types of activities permitted within certain zones. 📏🏗️ These regulations are typically established by local governments through zoning ordinances or bylaws, which are designed to promote orderly growth, protect property values, and ensure compatibility between different land uses. 📜💼 Zoning maps are often used to visually represent the different zones within a municipality, making it easy to identify areas designated for residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational purposes. 🗺️🏡 Zoning plays a crucial role in shaping the character and functionality of a community, influencing factors such as traffic patterns, access to amenities, and the overall quality of life for residents. It helps maintain a balance between development and conservation, preserving green spaces and natural habitats while accommodating growth and economic activity. 🌳🏙️ In summary, zoning is much more than just lines on a map – it's a tool for promoting sustainable and well-planned development, fostering vibrant neighborhoods, and enhancing the overall livability of cities and towns. Understanding zoning regulations is essential for anyone involved in real estate, from developers and architects to homeowners and city planners. 🏘️📊 #Zoning #UrbanDevelopment #CityPlanning #LandUseRegulations #CommunityBuilding #mrei #mayfairrealestateinstitute🛣️🏗️

Prescott, Arizona, offers a unique blend of historical and modern properties set against beautiful landscapes and a vibrant community culture. However, understanding the local zoning laws is crucial for anyone looking to invest, develop, or modify properties in this region. 🏡🌳 📋 Zoning Basics in Prescott Prescott's zoning laws are designed to manage urban growth, preserve historical integrity, and maintain residents' quality of life. The city is divided into various zoning districts, each with specific regulations for land use and building types. These districts include residential, commercial, industrial, and special-purpose zones. 🏢🏠🏭 🏠 Residential Zones Residential zones are categorized based on housing density and type. From single-family homes to multi-family complexes, zoning regulations specify minimum lot sizes, building heights, and setback requirements. For example, the Multi-family Medium Density (MF-M) district encourages developments with specific standards. 🏘️ 🏢 Commercial and Industrial Zones For business activities, Prescott offers commercial and industrial zones regulated to ensure they don't disrupt residential life. The General Industrial (IG) district allows for higher building heights and various industrial operations. 💼🏭 🌐 Special Planning Districts Specially planned community districts (SPC) provide flexibility for mixed-use developments, integrating residential, commercial, and recreational uses into cohesive community units. These districts require a comprehensive master plan detailing all aspects of development. 🏙️🏞️ 🗺️ Navigating Zoning Laws Engage with Prescott’s Planning and Zoning Division early in your project planning. Utilize tools like the official Prescott Zoning Map to identify zoning classifications and understand permissible uses and restrictions. 🗂️📊 Ready to embark on your Prescott real estate journey? Contact us at (928) 696-7000 or email [email protected] for expert guidance and personalized advice. 🌟🏡 #PrescottAZ #RealEstate #ZoningLaws #Property #Investment #Development #ResidentialZones #CommercialZones #IndustrialZones #SpecialPlanningDistricts #UrbanGrowth #HistoricalPreservation

Understanding local zoning regulations can make or break your property development dreams. Every area has a designated zone (residential, commercial, etc.). Zoning basically dictates what kind of buildings go where, and what kind of development is allowed. Each comes with unique rules governing everything.  Knowing these details upfront saves you time and frustration later. 1. Research your site's zoning designation thoroughly. Identify restrictions early on—density requirements (how many buildings per square foot), and development standards (building height, parking requirements)—to avoid surprises later. 2. Engage with planning officials upfront. Attend pre-application meetings to clarify compliance issues and streamline the approval process, setting a solid foundation for your project. 3. Consider variances or rezoning if needed. Variances allow deviations from specific rules while rezoning changes the underlying designation entirely. It’s not easy, but they are worth the effort. 4. Address community needs. Engage with residents early on, address their concerns, and show how your development aligns with the neighbourhood's vision. From detailed plans to public hearings, understanding the roadmap ensures smoother navigation through regulatory channels. By understanding the zoning code and fostering positive relationships with local stakeholders, you can master the approval process easily. #Realestate #Zoninglaws

Planetizen | Peter Calthorpe calls this the “grand boulevard” strategy, noting that it “could be implemented with a basic form-based code with zero parking requirements.” “A 15 percent inclusionary zoning requirement would create 300,000 affordable housing units in the Golden State.” That strategy is central to a 2023 California state law, AB 2011, which allows for more mixed-use development and higher density in certain areas. “Using UrbanFootprint software, Calthorpe analyzed a 43-mile commercial corridor between San Francisco and San Jose, the El Camino Real. Reimagining this as a grand boulevard allows 3,500 acres of infill development, with up to 250,000 dwelling units—some with ground-floor commercial space.” Infill development on Bay Area commercial corridors could create over 1 million new housing units.

🌆🏡 Decode the Term: Zoning in Real Estate 🚀🔍 It’s Trivia Tuesday, and today we’re unraveling a term that shapes our cities and neighborhoods. What exactly is ‘zoning’ in real estate? Take a guess: A) Decorating each zone of a house differently B) The laws and regulations that dictate how property can be used C) The process of dividing a city into sections for commercial, residential, and industrial development D) B & C are correct Scroll down to unveil the mystery behind zoning and why it’s pivotal in real estate! 🧐👇 - - - - - - - - - - - 🎉 The correct answer is D) B & C are correct! 🎉 Zoning refers to both the laws and regulations that dictate how property can be used and the process of dividing a city into different sections for commercial, residential, and industrial development. It’s a crucial aspect of urban planning, ensuring that our communities are structured, functional, and sustainable. Whether it’s keeping factories away from homes or determining the height of buildings, zoning shapes the world around us in significant ways. Ever wondered why certain businesses are located in specific areas or why some neighborhoods are strictly residential? It all comes down to zoning! 🏗️🏠 Did you nail the answer, or did you learn something new today? Either way, we love your curiosity! Share your thoughts or questions below, and let’s dive deeper into the wonders of real estate together. #triviatuesday #realestatezoning #urbanplanning #realestateterms #citydevelopment #propertylaw #realestateknowledge #learnwithus #gogidda4sold #royalcanadianrealty

Town Center Zoning would enable modest, mixed-use apartment buildings in low-density commercial corridors. Many existing commercial corridors are intended to be zoned to allow low-density mixed-use buildings, but today’s restrictive zoning makes it nearly impossible to construct new ones that match those built before the current zoning regulations. Current height and floor area limits are lower than what is realistically necessary for mixed-use construction, and parking requirements are excessively high. As a result, many commercial corridors are left with underutilized single-story buildings. Reintroducing modest, mixed-use apartment buildings would bring back a classic New York City building form, ensuring that new buildings resemble those constructed before the current restrictive zoning code was enacted. With many underutilized commercial sites across the city, this proposal has the potential to add significant housing capacity, while also supporting local business districts. #cityofyes #developmentsites #developmentsiteadvisors #nyc #weknowzoning

Town of Westborough Town Meeting voted to pass the 2 zoning articles last night! The first article was for Inclusionary Zoning, which would require a 20% affordability requirement for all residential development with more than 10 units. Further, the SHI requirement would be broken down to require 15% of the units to have an average of 70% AMI and 5% to be affordable up to 120% AMI. The 2nd zoning article would allow commercial developments in the Highway Business Zoning District to request a Special Permit to reduce the open space requirement, in exchange for incorporating a sustainable design into their project. A developer could also request waivers to other dimensional requirements as well. By allowing for flexibility in the zoning for commercial businesses, the goal is to attract creative, high-value developments that increase our tax base while helping the Town meet sustainability goals. #zoning #planningforthefuture #sustainability #inclusionaryzoning #affordablehomesact

Take the Community-Wide Zoning Survey ⬇ The City of Port Washington has embarked on the most comprehensive rewrite of its Zoning Code since it was drafted in the mid-60s. The intent of the zoning code rewrite project is to make the City’s code easier to understand and administer, modernized with current best practices, and compatible with the City’s recent planning efforts including the Comprehensive Plan Update and Downtown + Lakefront Master Plan. Zoning establishes what types of buildings and what uses go where. As such, zoning directly impacts the type of housing, businesses, and institutions that are allowed in each neighborhood across the city. This zoning code rewrite is an opportunity to review and refine what is allowed, prohibited, or encouraged in different parts of the community. Your input will enable the planning team to help ensure that the re-written zoning code supports the types of neighborhoods desired by the city’s residents. All questions are optional, and your responses will remain anonymous. Estimated completion time is 9-12 minutes. 🔗 SURVEY: https://lnkd.in/guSpYZ7g. Learn more about the City of Port Washington Zoning Code Rewrite Project at https://bit.ly/3zzn6bB. Thank you, Bob Harris Director of Planning and Development #YourHomePort