by Josh Stephens

Visual depictions of projects remain an issue -- though accessibility might actually be improved for some. Brown Act has been loosened for the duration of COVID-19.

Even entitled buildings won't be built unless they have financing.

New rail service connecting Modesto to the Bay Area and a renewed focus on infill development characterize the medium-term trends in one of California's agricultural hubs, according to Planning Manager Steve Mitchell.

As the coronavirus shuts down California, planning departments across the state are adapting and staying on-task.

Huntington Beach settled a lawsuit over housing with the state by tweaking a specific plan. More battles, and an allocation of 13,000 new units, loom.

Slow-growth forces won land-use ballot measures all over the state in the March primary election.

CP&DR spoke with Community Development Director Sandra Meyer, a 30-year veteran of planning in Walnut Creek, about how the city is planning for growth.

To cut down on discretionary review, new housing laws require cities to approve housing projects so long as they conform to "objective" design standards. Cities are scrambling to draft standards that promote housing and promote desired aesthetic goals.