zoning overlay

A parking lots and homes sit on a bluff above a large beach on Pacific coast in Southern California.

Meeting Housing Goals by Loosening Commercial Zoning

Torrance, a city on the coast of Southern California in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, recently adopted a zoning overlay that will relax commercial zones to allow more residential development.

August 28, 2023 - The Real Deal

Colorfu rowhouses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Examining Philadelphia’s Zoning Overlay Districts

A decades-old policy allowing hyperlocal zoning exemptions and restrictions creates a confusing patchwork of zoning regulations across the city.

May 4, 2023 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Victorian two-story buildings with retail shops in downtown Nashvile, Tennessee

Nashville Sets Downtown Parking Maximums

Nashville is the latest city to enact a substantive change to the parking requirements set by the city’s zoning code—doing away with parking minimums and setting parking maximums in the city’s Urban Zoning Overlay.

November 20, 2022 - The Tennessean

"You are entering Jackson's downtown historic district" brown sign

What Is an Overlay District?

A zoning overlay district superimposes an additional set of regulations over an existing zoning district, or multiple zoning districts.

June 15, 2022 - Diana Ionescu

Eichler

In the Silicon Valley, Eichler Is Synonymous With Single-Story Overlay

Residents of homes designed by Joseph Eichler are concerned that new two-story homes could invade their privacy and block sunlight and views. They have sought and won zoning protection.

June 14, 2017 - The Mercury News

Coding for Character: Doing Away With the Zoned Out Nature of Cities

What's keeping the historic parts of your city or town from staying up-to-date and well-loved? Usually, the laws.

October 6, 2015 - PlaceShakers

Auto-Repair Facility Permit Filed a Day Before Pedestrian-Friendly Zoning: What Next?

A case study in the development miscues that can move forward while plans are developed and approved.

July 12, 2015 - PlanPhilly

Proposed Ordinance Would Rework Dallas’ Conservation Districts

Dallas is mulling changes to the process by which neighborhoods can seek and obtain conservation district status. As city staff considers the changes, one former councilwoman for the city asks, “if it ain’t broke…”

February 28, 2014 - Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate

Neighborhoods First (and Goal)

Howard Blackson's words of advice for San Diego's new administration are applicable wherever it is you call home. Neighborhoods first!

February 6, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Overlaying Form-Based Zoning

Columbus, Ohio has been experimenting with zoning overlays, which do not change the underlying land use regulations but add a set of form-based regulations focused on livability.

March 9, 2011 - Columbus Dispatch

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