Brief History of Land Use Planning Policy in the United States

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1 Brief History of Land Use Planning Policy in the United States Planning Based on Transportation Concerns Early adoption of privatized transportation (automobiles) over public mass-transit options. Spatial organization increasingly based on single-use zones connected by feeder roads and highways. Suburban Development and Zoning Codification Bedroom communities develop as support for city centers -Fueled by excess demand (post-wwii) and race conflicts Single-use zones gain footing in the zoning codes. - Proper planning professionalizes at expense of space-based community building efforts.

2 Current Status: The Pendulum Swings Renewed emphasis on outcomes of planning and reduced pedantry -asking the question how does policy x or practice y affect the community at large? Rediscovering the benefits of smart growth and densification, both socially and economically

3 Brief History of Land Use Planning Policy in Austin, Texas Austin Comprehensive Plan of 1929: -Racially segregated the city, with most of the African American population on the east side of IH-35 -Located hazardous and noxious uses (such as the Holly Power Plant) on the east side of IH-35, where property values were relatively low Austin Comprehensive Plan of 1975: -Assure that the development of the urban environment is compatible with the unique natural and constructed features of the Austin area -Protect and improve the desirable image and character of neighborhoods and districts -Encouraged low-density single family residential building New 10 Year Comprehensive Plan: -Encourage more extensive city-wide public transportation system -Promote higher density, especially in urban core -Continue protection of valuable environmental assets -Direct growth towards the east of Austin

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5 Focus Topic: Gentrification - Change in East Austin East Austin - location of study settlement Has recently increased in property value due to close proximity to Downtown Austin in combination with former low land price But, as a result of past land use planning in Austin, also where the Hispanic and African-American population are concentrated, especially low income population Rising property values has led to increase in property taxes, which has created difficulties for existing low-income families and a reduction in affordable housing for the city overall

6 Policy Suggestion: Community Land Trust A Community Land Trust is land that is owned by a public or non-profit entity and that is meant to be conserved for affordable housing A low-income family buys and owns the structure that is on the land, but the city or non-profit entity owns the land, so they can control the type of housing that is built on it, and the amount that is charged. Pros: Maintains a stock of land that is available for affordable housing in convenient and accessible locations in the city Low-income family still takes away equity and appreciation of the structure, while not having to pay for the increase in property value and taxes Cons: Politically difficult to bring about due to loss in property tax revenues for the city and loss of high-value land from the private housing market Low-income family does not gain from the appreciation in land value, which is a significant part of the appreciation in general housing values

7 INFILL- Policy Suggestion: Urban Infill the use of land within a built-up area for further construction, especially as part of a community redevelopment of growth management program ( Developers and city planners work together either to construct new buildings in place of vacated and dilapidated ones or to remodel usable structures, the end result of which is to reclaim and reuse areas within the city and thereby reducing expansion. Pros: Can promote densification of urban areas Avoids scorched earth phenomenon of vacated city centers and surroundings. Infill can bring better services to blighted spaces as well as revitalize the communities of those areas. Coupled with more flexible zoning regulations, infill can repurpose or augment the purpose of sections of cities to better integrate residents and services. Cons: Historically blockaded by rigid zoning practices. Difficult to incentivize developers to invest in more expensive infill projects.

8 Planeación y Usos del Suelo Pasado: Plan Director de la Subregion Monterrey Plan Estatal de Desarrollo Urbano de Nuevo Leon Plan de Desarrollo Urbano de Monterrey Metropolitano y su área de influencia Plan Director de Desarrollo Urbano del área Metropolitana de Monterrey Presente: Plan Metropolitano Planes Municipales de Urbanización y Desarrollo. Futuro: Plan de Desarrollo Urbano de la Zona Conurbada de Monterrey. Planes Municipales (Parciales )de Urbanización.

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11 Zoning of Monterrey

12 Zoning of Study Areas

13 Policy Recommendations Coordination between municipalities should be increased in the writing of plans and in determining zoning Businesses should be concentrated along major roadways Commercial uses should be limited along smaller streets Industrial uses should be avoided in areas near residential uses Where possible, green space should be increased within neighborhoods Connections or view corridors between neighborhoods and green spaces should be increased

14 Community and Economic Development in Austin Rosewood Neighborhood Plan (2001): Promote commercial users that serve the needs of neighborhood residents. Build destination businesses to employ people from East Austin and attract customers from all parts of the city Promote infill development on vacant commercial lots Increase business opportunities for the Rosewood neighborhood s residents Where zoning permits, promote small, neighborhood-oriented businesses services such as coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants and corner stores Where appropriate in the neighborhood, promote neighborhood-friendly industrial uses that will enhance the quality of life of Rosewood s residents. Example: Arts and Crafts studio In a Brookings study, from 2000 to 2005, commercial property rose about 60% on 11 th street and 53% on 12 th street, which are major business development areas

15 East Austin Austin MSA Poverty Rate 45.6% 11.1% Percent Non-Hispanic White 4.5% 60.7% Percentage of Adults w/o HS Diploma 54.4% 15.2% Unemployment Rate 12.5% 4.0% Percentage of Rental Units Subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development 50.4% 4.6%

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17 Perspectives of Residents In the survey findings, residents hope that the metro rail will bring new business and commercial development to the neighborhood Residents defined their neighborhood as geographically smaller than the larger Rosewood area Most residents are not active in their neighborhood associations Four neighborhood associations in Rosewood: Glen Oaks/Rosewood Village, McKinley Heights, Clifford/Sanchez, Boggy Creek Many informal neighborhood associations: Greater East Austin Neighborhood Association, Save our Neighborhood, Inc., El Concilio Coalition of Mexican-American Neighborhood Association

18 Recommendations The area bounded by Boggy Creek, Alexander, Manor Rd., and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. is the largest undeveloped property in the neighborhood. The Rosewood Neighborhood Planning Team supports the development of this site as a mixed-use, pedestrian/bike-friendly center that includes housing for a variety of income levels. Increase communication between businesses and residents Increase in local cafes and shops Increase in grocery stores Brookings study found that two neighborhoods in the east side share one grocery store which limits access to fresh food, yet plenty of access to fast food and convenient store food Increase medical facilities and access U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated East Austin as a medically underserved area, without enough primary care physicians to meet the needs of local population.

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