Density Bonuses

Mayor Emanuel Pitches Expanded Density Bonuses in Downtown Chicago

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed an expansion of the city's Downtown Zoning District this week. The changes would allow taller buildings in a larger swath of the city.

February 19, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

D.C. Inclusionary Zoning Tweaks Would Serve Lower Income Households

The D.C. Zoning Commission will be the first to consider staff recommendations for adjustments to District's inclusionary zoning policy.

January 13, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

San Francisco

San Francisco Planning Department Proposes Increasing Heights in Neighborhoods

The San Francisco Planning Department is proposing a trade-off to neighborhoods to comply with a state density bonus law: Modestly increase height and density limits in exchange for more affordable housing.

November 19, 2015 - Hoodline

California House

Affordable Housing Becomes More Affordable in California Due to Parking Reform

AB 744, a bill which requires no more than one parking space be provided for every two units of affordable and senior housing proximate to transit, was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Oct. 9.

October 14, 2015 - Smart Growth America

Chicago Approves Big Expansion of TOD Ordinance

Ten times more land in Chicago is now designated for transit oriented development—affording new development reduced parking requirements, density bonuses for affordable housing, and new strength for the city's Pedestrian Street design regulations.

September 30, 2015 - Chi.Streetsblog

San Francisco Houses

Density Bonuses Proposed to Spur Affordable Housing in San Francisco

Mayor Ed Lee this week proposed a density bonus policy that would help the city build approximately 16,000 new units of housing, including 5,000 affordable units along select transit corridors.

September 30, 2015 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Density Bonuses Proposed in High-Demand San Francisco Neighborhoods

The San Francisco Planning Department is proposing new densities in certain neighborhoods in exchange for building new units for low- and middle-income residents.

August 17, 2015 - San Francisco Business Times

Parking, Density, and Affordable Housing in California

A bill to reduce parking minimums for residential or mixed-use developments that include affordable units passed a key Senate committee. AB 744 amends the state's density bonus law, itself controversial, that incentivizes building affordable housing.

July 16, 2015 - Streetsblog California

Public Benefits Not Worth Density to Palo Alto Residents

Palo Alto’s planned community zoning has existed since 1951. As the real estate market in the Silicon Valley heats up, residents are questioning whether developers are abusing the density and height benefits they receive from the zoning code.

February 4, 2014 - San Jose Mercury News

Developers Fret as Austin Considers Density Bonus Program

Seeking to standardize what is considered an ad hoc and inconsistent approach to allowing extra density in downtown developments, Austin's city council will consider a new bonus program later this month.

June 4, 2013 - Austin American-Statesman

More Carrot, Less Stick Needed for Affordable Housing

Mixed-income housing - infusing affordable housing with market-rate units - is relying more on incentives and subsidies, than mandates, to stimulate development.

June 21, 2012 - Urban Land

Austin Considers Density Bonus

City officials in Austin are considering a new incentive for builders willing to include public spaces in new projects.

December 1, 2009 - Austin American-Statesman

LA's Density Bonuses Thrown Out

A judge has ruled against parts of SB 1818, a density bonus law that allows taller building limits in exchange for affordable housing units.

April 15, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

A Realtor's Solution For Creating Affordable Housing

An influential Vancouver Realtor has proposed a density bonus scheme that he says would get developers to provide more housing affordable to first-time buyers.

May 15, 2008 - The Province

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