For years, zoning laws were seen as a way to guide responsible development. But in New Hampshire, they’ve become something else entirely—a barrier to growth, affordability, and opportunity. A once-simple framework has ballooned into 23,000 pages of regulations across nearly 270 jurisdictions,[...]
Tag: Zoning & Planning
News |
Controversial zoning bill dies in North Dakota Senate
A bill that would have tied local infrastructure funding to support for state-approved energy and agricultural projects failed in the North Dakota Senate. Lawmakers rejected the measure 19-27 after a debate over local control and economic priorities. Supporters argued that communities benefiting[...]
News |
North Dakota lawmakers make recommendations on zoning, data centers
Lawmakers in North Dakota are wrestling with how much control local governments should have over energy projects—and the debate is heating up. A proposal to withhold infrastructure funds from communities that challenge state-approved projects faced resistance in the Senate Energy Committee, with[...]
Curio |
Our Self-Imposed Scarcity of Nice Places
Walkable, human-scale neighborhoods shouldn’t be a luxury, but in much of the U.S., they’ve become exactly that. Places like Milwaukee Avenue in Minneapolis or Seaside, Florida, aren’t expensive because of their design—they’re expensive because they’re rare. The real issue isn’t that these[...]
Curio |
Nook and Cranny Urbanism: How Historic Cities Maximize Every Inch of Space
Walk through the streets of a historic city like Annapolis, and you’ll feel it—every alley, every irregular building tucked into a forgotten corner tells a story of adaptation and growth. These places weren’t built all at once; they evolved, making the most[...]
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News |
Bill would hold state cash from localities that block energy, ag projects in North Dakota
Local control is on the line in North Dakota. A packed room at an Edgeley bar made that clear, as residents voiced concerns over large-scale industrial projects shaping their communities. At stake is Senate Bill 2208, which would strip state infrastructure funds[...]
Curio |
Why Massachusetts Might Sue Its Cities Over Zoning Codes
Massachusetts is taking a hard line on housing near transit. A new court ruling affirms that the state can sue cities and towns that fail to legalize multifamily housing near MBTA stations, enforcing a 2021 law aimed at boosting density around public[...]
News |
Distance between animal feedlots and ND towns still up for debate
North Dakota lawmakers are still sorting out a thorny agricultural issue getting to the heart of local zoning restrictions for animal feedlot operations. The state is looking to revise standards capping setbacks a county or township puts in place when figuring out[...]
Curio |
Growth Ponzi Scheme Leaves Virginia Town With $34 Million Dilemma and a Hint For Minot
Elected officials across the country are facing an impossible financial reality. Promises made decades ago are coming due, and there isn’t enough cash on hand to address them all. Debt seems like the only way out of today’s problem, but everyone knows[...]
Commentary |
We Need To Crash the Market for Entry-Level Homes
Housing prices are spiraling, and America’s housing crisis is only deepening. The solution might seem like adding massive blocks of new developments, but big doesn’t always mean fast or efficient. Instead, imagine a world where every neighborhood chips in, turning spare bedrooms[...]
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Curio |
A Solution: How Single-Stair Reform Can Help Unlock Incremental Housing
Small apartment buildings like Oak Terrace used to be common, filling cities with well-scaled, community-friendly homes. But thanks to modern building codes, structures like this are now nearly impossible to build. A single rule requiring two staircases with a fire-rated corridor has[...]
News |
City of Minot Planning Commission Agenda | February 4, 2025
The City of Minot’s Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, February 4th at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda for the meeting will be linked below and livestreamed via the city’s Youtube channel. Any persons requiring special accommodation is asked to contact[...]
Curio |
Podcast: Advocating for Clean Water and Flood Prevention at the State Level
Stormwater might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about community infrastructure, but it’s a force that shapes our cities more than we realize. In the latest _Bottom-Up Revolution_ episode, Tiffany Owens Reed sits down with Ellie Riggs[...]
News |
Legislature Looks to Supersede Local Zoning on Data Mining
Cryptocurrency and data mining are expanding everywhere, and if HB 1239 is approved, they could be moving in next door. The aim is step in front of local zoning restrictions on these businesses, provided they adhere to noise regulations. Proponents, like Rep.[...]
Commentary |
Yards Are Not Enough: The Importance of the Public Realm
Just before the recent snap of cold weather landed in Texas, I zipped my son into his sweatshirt and marched him to the car. It was time for our daily “outside time,” and I had decided that today would be a little[...]
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News |
Can the state ignore local regulations? Wyoming Supreme Court will decide.
In Wyoming, a heated battle between state and local powers may set a precedent for who truly holds sway over state-owned lands. Picture this: Teton County is challenging the state’s claim that counties can’t impose zoning or safety codes on these lands—a[...]