Gaining Ground Information Database

Transit Oriented Development Plan Linden Station Area Draft

Date Added: Friday, July 17, 2015
Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
New Jersey
Municipal

The Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Plan for Linden Station Area contains the City’s vision for TOD, the strategies for how to achieve it, provides a framework to enhance the compact walkable community that is centered around the Station, and designates four districts to accomplish this, the Core District, the Wood Avenue District, the Elizabeth Avenue District and an Office Residential Character/Live-work District. This plan builds upon the South Wood Avenue Redevelopment Plan, Theater Redevelopment and development approvals to locate mid-r.. Read More

State Street Corridor Transit Oriented Development Policy Guidelines

Date Added: Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
State: Not Applicable
Regional Planning Entity

This document is a comprehensive walk-through of a state plan for implementing Transit Oriented Development (TOD). It contains policy guidelines for the first step in a twenty-year project to implement TOD in Idaho’s State Street Corridor and advises communities on site-specific as well as more general guidance in order to create a region-wide concerted and cooperative effort. Model language and detailed information on TOD policy guidelines provide communities with a model to follow in implementing TOD... Read More

City of Boise Development Impact Fee Ordinance - Alternative Dispute Resolution Provision

Date Added: Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Idaho
Municipal

A mediation option is provided as part of the planning and zoning public hearing process of the city in accordance with Section 67-6510 of the Idaho Code. The cost of the first mediation session is paid by the city; if additional meetings are necessary, the parties agree to fee division. Mediation may be requested by Boise City Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council, the applicant, or other affected person and is voluntary unless it is initiated by the City, in which case, one session is mandatory. Hearings associated with appeal and ap.. Read More

Vermont Employment Growth Incentive

Date Added: Monday, September 26, 2016
Development Standards
Vermont
State

The Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) was created to encourage job creation in Vermont by a Vermont company, a Vermont division of a company that plans to grow and expand in Vermont, a company considering locating a new business or division in state, or Vermont start-up business activity. The VEGI program provides incentives from the State of Vermont to businesses to encourage prospective economic activity in Vermont that is beyond an applicant’s “organic” or background growth and that would not occur except for the incentive provided... Read More

San Francisco Green Building Code

Date Added: Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Development Standards, Green Buildings & Energy Efficiency
California
Municipal

To ensure that all buildings are healthy, sustainable places to live, work and learn, the San Francisco Green Building Code requirements reduce energy and water use, divert waste from landfills, encourage alternate modes of transportation, and support the health and comfort of building occupants in San Francisco. The 2008 green building requirements apply to newly constructed residential and commercial buildings and for major renovations to existing buildings. New construction in San Francisco must meet all applicable California codes, provide .. Read More

Recreation Complexes for Families

Date Added: Monday, June 4, 2018
Healthy Communities, Parks & Recreation
Wisconsin
Municipal

The Oneida Nation in Wisconsin created a Comprehensive Plan which outlines reservation-wide objectives to be met between 2005 and 2025. The “Parks and Recreation” chapter outlines three goals: provide the people of the Oneida Nation with a state of the art family fitness, adventure and recreation complex in Oneida; develop an interconnected reservation-wide trail system; and develop a “central Park” in central Oneida where families can come together to participate in healthy activities. In building a recreation complex within Oneida, the com.. Read More

City of Buffalo, NY Chapter 413 Streets and Sidewalks, Article XIV: Complete Streets

Date Added: Thursday, June 21, 2018
Healthy Communities, Complete Streets
New York
Municipal

Article XIV within Chapter 413 of the City of Buffalo, NY Code outlines the Complete Streets code provisions for the city. This Section provides that the Commissioner of Public Works, Parks, and Streets shall include pedestrian and bicycle facilities in all new street construction, reconstruction, maintenance, public works, and projects undertaken by the City. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board reviews all new construction/projects and provides consultation regarding the implementation of complete streets. The inclusion of bicycle and pe.. Read More

City of Tucson Pre-Application Procedures Ordinance

Date Added: Thursday, April 13, 2017
Pre-Application & Consensus Building
Arizona
Municipal

The land use code subjects applications to a neighborhood meeting. Furthermore, a pre-application conference is required for all applications submitted by parties other than the City. § 5.4.1.2... Read More

County of Miami-Dade Science & Technology Committee Climate Change Advisory Task Force Statement

Date Added: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Coastal Protection, Sea Level Rise Adaptation
Florida
Municipal

In July 2006, the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance creating the Miami Dade Climate Change Advisory Task Force to provide technical assistance and advice to the Board of County Commissioners concerning mitigation and adaptation measures in response to the impacts of global climate change. The Task Force consists of twenty-five appointed members representing various sectors of the Miami-Dade community including government agencies and educational institutions. The Science and Technology Committee is one of six commit.. Read More

San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission

Date Added: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Sea Level Rise Adaptation
California
Municipal

The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission’s 2008 Bay Plan incorporates policy considerations that are responsive to sea level rise. Because the Commission found that water levels in the Bay are likely to increase due in part to rising global sea levels, the Bay Plan establishes policies that structures on fill or near the shoreline have adequate flood protection and that all proposed development projects be “sufficiently high above the highest estimated tide level” for the expected life of the project. Furthermore, the Pla.. Read More

County of Miami-Dade Coastal Management Planning Element

Date Added: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Coastal Protection, Sea Level Rise Adaptation
Florida
Municipal

The Board of County Commissioners for Miami-Dade County, Florida, adopted the Planning Commission’s Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) in order to promote general welfare, maintain conditions under which people and nature can coexist in “productive harmony” and fulfill social, economic, and other requirements for present and future generations. Section 2-113.1 of the Codex specifically incorporates the CDMP’s Planning Elements. The Coastal Management Planning Element requires that sea level rise projected by the federal government b.. Read More

City of Chicago Vacant Buildings Registration Ordinance

Date Added: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Vacant & Distressed Properties
Illinois
Municipal

The city of Chicago, Illinois, enacted an ordinance requiring owners of vacant buildings to perform several tasks within 30 days of the building’s vacancy. These tasks include: enclosing and securing the building; posting a sign on the building providing the owner’s and his or her agent’s contact information; acquiring substantial liability insurance for the building and; registering the vacant building with the Department of Buildings. This registration last for six months and costs $250. If the building remains vacant at the end of the si.. Read More

City of Minneapolis Demolition of Vacant Properties Ordinance

Date Added: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Vacant & Distressed Properties
Minnesota
Municipal

Minnesota state statues allow cities to enact ordinances to handle the problems associated with hazardous and vacant buildings. In turn, the Minneapolis legislature enacted a statute authorizing the city to rehabilitate or demolish buildings to enhance livability, preserve the tax base, and abate public nuisances created by these buildings. The ordinance allows the director of inspections to secure vacant and hazardous buildings and serve notice on the property owner. If the owner fails to reply within six days, the director may authoriz.. Read More

City of Santa Barbara Energy Efficiency Standards

Date Added: Saturday, August 27, 2016
Green Buildings & Energy Efficiency
California
Municipal

The City of Santa Barbara, California, modified its energy efficiency standards to correspond with the first level of the Architecture 2030 Challenge and to reduce its fossil fuel usage in its buildings by 50% below the regional average. Also, the City has set a goal to reduce energy consumption to achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2030 in new buildings and retrofits. In order to meet these goals, the City has set forth increased minimum energy efficiency standards for all new construction (residential and commercial) of any size, additions to.. Read More

City of El Paso Sustainable Development Design Standards & Green Building Grant Program Guidelines

Date Added: Saturday, August 27, 2016
Green Buildings & Energy Efficiency
Texas
Municipal

Under the El Paso, Texas sustainable development design standards, the City mandates that all city buildings meet green development standards and provides significant monetary incentives for private developers to do the same. El Paso has over 600,000 residents, and the climate is arid and warm with limited precipitation. The City recently started a sustainability campaign culminating in the “Green Summit 2009,” which presented the sustainable development design standards. El Paso mandates that all new city owned buildings over 5,000 sq. feet.. Read More

Town of New Milford Proposed Ordinance Concerning the Right-to-Farm

Date Added: Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Agriculture, Right-to-Farm
Connecticut
Municipal

The town of New Milford established this right to farm ordinance limiting circumstances under which any such operation may be considered a nuisance. The ordinance specifies that any dispute over farming practices will be handled through mediation through the mayor’s office... Read More

The Town of Middleburgh Nonconforming Uses, Structures and Lots Ordinance

Date Added: Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Flood Prevention, Zoning
New York
Municipal

The Town of Middleburgh has several districts which must meet certain specifications. Parcels in the Flood Protection District (FPD) must comply with the Flood Damage Prevention Law and new parcels (after 12/31/07) must comply with the district requirements. The Planned Development District (PDD) was designed to accommodate such large-scale uses as to the benefit to the community. The law is not intended to restrict the construction or use of underground or overhead public utility distribution facilities. There are specific restrictions on gaso.. Read More

City of Albany Zoning Ordinance; Section 375-93- Solar Energy Equipment

Date Added: Thursday, September 7, 2017
Solar Energy, Zoning
New York
Municipal

Within its Zoning Ordinance, the City of Albany outlines its solar energy systems requirements in its own section, § 375-93. In it, the City requires that any person who wishes to install a solar energy system in a C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District shall have the installation reviewed by the Planning staff prior to the issuance of the building permit. This process will increase the amount of time and administrative requirements necessary to install these systems, becoming a barrier to their implementation. .. Read More

City of Hagerston Zoning Regulations; Solar Zoning

Date Added: Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Solar Energy, Zoning
Maryland
Municipal

Hagerston, Maryland has integrated an Alternative Energy Sources/Generators section, Section K(12), within its Zoning Ordinance supplementary regulations. According to that section, before an applicant can install a solar energy system on her property, she must first submit a zoning permit application with a plan for review by the Planning and Code Administration Division. “Once the zoning permit is approved, the applicant may apply for proper permits from the Code Administration Office.” Section K(12) permits ground-mounted solar collection sy.. Read More

Promoting Farmers Markets

Date Added: Thursday, April 26, 2018
Healthy Communities, Farmers Markets
New York
Municipal

Kinderhook specifically permits farmer’s markets (farm markets) in two thirds of its zoning districts, promoting both farm operations and tourism. They define farm markets as permanent structures that primarily sell agricultural products and related goods to the general public. Additionally, the farm markets can either sell pre-harvested goods, or allow customers to pick their own products. The town also permits seasonal farm stands in four of its zoning districts with fewer requirements... Read More

Programs for Brownfield Remediation

Date Added: Thursday, April 26, 2018
Brownfields
New York
Municipal

The City of Newburgh, New York hosts a range of brownfield sites due to its industrial legacy. Newburgh currently has identified eight municipally owned brownfields, and there is potential for others existing on both private and public lands throughout the city. The perceived or actual risks of remediation can have far-reaching and negative side effects; brownfields have been shown to deter future growth, increase urban sprawl, lower the economic value of surrounding communities, and pose a threat to the health of local communities. Fortunately.. Read More

Zoning Prohibiting Fast-Food Establishments

Date Added: Monday, June 4, 2018
Healthy Communities, Low Nutrition Uses
New York
Municipal

This zoning code removes fast-food establishments from the community and improves the public health through reducing consumption of unhealthy foods. Section 4.7.1 of Concord’s zoning code expressly states: “Drive-in or fast food restaurants are expressly prohibited. A drive-in or fast food restaurant is defined as any establishment whose principal business is the sale of foods or beverages in a ready-to-consume state, for consumption within the building or off-premises, and whose principal method of operation includes: (1) sale of foods and bev.. Read More

Building Height Limits

Date Added: Monday, June 4, 2018
Traffic Calming & Safety
New York
Municipal

Washington’s zoning code provides height limitations for structures placed at or near street intersections. The code states that no new structure can be over thirty inches in height above the grade of the street. The restrictions create intersections that are more convenient and safe for the town residents, free from potentially dangerous obstructions in order to minimize traffic accidents and fatalities... Read More

Outside Resources

Search Menu

Search by Year (of adoption, publication, etc.)(55)

Please click on the year you would like to explore further

Search Results