Dick Barr’s Post

Meet the Special Area Studies sub-team. Their mission? Creating and updating community and neighborhood plans for Hillsborough County! Check out the video to learn more about these dedicated planners. #MeetTheTeam #MeetTheTeamTuesday #PlanHillsborough #HillsboroughCounty #TampaFL #TempleTerraceFL #PlantCityFL #CommunityBuilding #CommunityPlanning #SpecialAreaStudies #CommunityBuilding #PublicInput #GrowthManagement

Excited to see the progress of our master planned community NorthShore, located along the St. Mary’s River in Camden County, Coastal Georgia. This 629-home community at build out includes a market-leading, resort-style amenity package including a 3,400 sqft clubhouse, boat launch, floating dock, observation deck, playground, and passive recreational/sports fields.   NorthShore is a classic Drapac investment play: we identified a prime asset in an undervalued growth market, acquired it for a fraction of the infrastructure value, and added significant value during the hold period by undertaking thoughtful and strategic initiatives to restore and improve the community.   A critical piece of our investment strategy has been to bring in multiple homebuilding partners including 1) Century Communities (NYSE: CCS), 2) Maronda Homes, and 3) Smith Family Homes. This approach has resulted in tremendous success for both the builders and overall community; builders are seeing strong absorption and price growth, and the community is appealing to a wider audience with a range of products and price points.   Camden County is experiencing significant growth due to shifting demographic factors (+8% population and +26% household income growth over the last 5 years) and the expansion of regional economic drivers, which has translated directly to increased demand and home sale prices (+64% over the last 5 years). https://lnkd.in/dKTubEn9

#TBT Beyond individual housing units, housing authorities often play a role in broader community development efforts. We collaborate with other agencies and organizations to revitalize neighborhoods, enhance infrastructure, and promote economic development. These initiatives include creating mixed-income communities, developing new housing, and improving public spaces, all of which contribute to a more vibrant and cohesive community. Housing authorities are more than just administrators of housing programs; we are key players in shaping the quality of life within communities. Our work impacts economic stability, community development, and social equity. By ensuring affordable and safe housing, advocating for fair practices, and supporting broader community initiatives, we help build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods. Understanding and supporting the role of housing authorities is essential for fostering vibrant, inclusive communities where all residents have the opportunity to thrive. https://lnkd.in/gWPVqHWn

We at Carlisle | Wortman Associates are dedicated to assisting our municipal partners with their community development plans. In doing so, we work within the existing zoning guidelines that govern how "real property can and cannot be used in certain geographic areas." At times, these zoning regulations can "limit the development potential of previously existing land uses and structures that do not conform with the zoning's standards." That's where Overlay Districts can come in handy. This sort of specification "is placed on top of an existing zoning district to provide additional regulations for a specific area." The following case study highlights how we aided Scio Township, MI with an overlay and corridor design study for their Jackson Road Corridor (the area between Jackson Industrial Drive and Myrtle Avenue). Our work provided recommendations about the use and identified elements the future overlay district would require. Follow this link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eETCmqPc #planning #Michigan #local #municipalities #corridor #overlaydistrict #zoning #community #development #guidelines #Regulations #landuse

Why Should Bellingham Take the Majority of Growth Over the Next 20 years? As Whatcom County’s cities meet to plan for the next 20-years of growth, we believe that Bellingham has a responsibility to take a higher annual percentage of future growth than Ferndale, Lynden, Everson, Blaine, Sumas and Nooksack. Centralizing growth and development in Bellingham will help reduce the overall environmental impact to the County while fostering a more vibrant economic vision for the future of the City. Read more about why growth should be centralized in Bellingham, by following the article link. https://lnkd.in/g3neHJhX . . . #housingaffordability #affordablehousing #housingdevelopment #housingcrisis #housingsolutions #housingforbellingham #bellinghamwa #whatcomcounty

📣 Calling all Spring Hill (and surrounding neighborhoods) North Siders! Join us NEXT WEEK as kick off the full series of 2024 “City in the Streets!” Last year, over 1,600 residents attended the events, resulting in over 40 service requests, and several capital improvements being fulfilled. The administration considers a variety of factors when determining locations for the City in the Streets initiative such as designation by Allegheny County as a High or Extreme Needs Community and volume of 311 reports. The initiative was birthed out of Mayor Ed Gainey’s Plan for Peace, prioritizing areas that experience a higher rate of crime as well. With high and extreme-need communities being less likely to utilize systems like 311, in-person engagements like this are critical. Representatives from every city department and select authorities are coming directly to residents in a block party setting in Spring Hill. This event will include free food, community vendors, activities for kids, and the following departments tabling to provide resources, information about their work, and intake on-site requests for service: Department of City Planning Department of Innovation and Performance Department of Mobility and Infrastructure Department of Public Works Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections Department of Public Safety Department of Human Resources and Civil Services Department of Parks and Recreation Mayor's Office, including Office of Neighborhood Services Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Office of Equal Protection Office of Management and Budget Office of Municipal Investigations Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh #pittsburgh #engagement #CITS #constituentservices #localgovernment

Be mindful of the people you're serving and the work you plan to do in the communities you're developing neighborhood plans for. #thinknorthside #urbanplanning #communitydevelopment

#EquitableBrownfieldReusePrinciple: Learn & Acknowledge the History of Racial and Social Injustices According to the National Parks Service, the 1887 Dawes Act authorized the US Government to strip more than 90 million acres of tribal land from Indigenous communities and re-sell it to non-natives. Today, many tribal reservations, like the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, are checkerboards, with native and non-native families living alongside one another. Rebalancing power in decision making improves equity. An important first step in equitable land reuse is to recognize painful legacies that have led to current realities, in order to identify potential solutions your project can provide. Watch CCLR’s video about the Plummer Pole Yard & Equitable Brownfield Redevelopment: https://loom.ly/MCnAr3A

 Addressing Community Backlash: In a pivotal response to concerns from both tenant and homeowner groups, Mayor Karen Bass has revamped L.A.'s affordable housing strategy. The updated policy now explicitly excludes historic districts and high fire risk areas from the expedited ED1 approval process, preserving the integrity and safety of these communities. Additionally, properties with 12 or more rent-controlled units are now protected, aiming to prevent displacement of lower-income residents. ~ These changes reflect a commitment to thoughtful, community-informed urban planning, ensuring that development does not come at the expense of L.A.'s unique neighborhoods and vulnerable populations.    #CommunityConcerns #LAMayor #UrbanPolicy #TenantProtection

What do we really want for Kentville's future? Let’s talk about where we’re headed... Kentville has grown so much in the last 20 years. You see it in our streets, in the faces of new families, and in the booming downtown. But with growth comes responsibility. We need to think about: 👉 Investing in new businesses. 👉 Supporting the ones that are already here. 👉 Ensuring our infrastructure, like roads and stormwater systems, can keep up. And that’s just the start... 👉 Housing – Can we build smarter and better? 👉 Collaboration – Are we really listening to all voices at the table? 👉 Community – How do we continue to support our neighbours and local events? Kentville's vision is not just about today. It’s about all of us—our families, our neighbours, and the generations to come. Let’s build a future we can all be proud of. #kentville #CommunityFirst #FutureFocused