In no way does the City of Monterey Park — a Los Angeles suburb known as a hub of the Chinese-American community — resemble the State of Maine. And yet, both have adopted an au …
Cities Begin Shutting Down Data Center Development
If KB Homes Is Leaving L.A., What Does That Say About California?
Since 1956, KB Home built over 600,000 homes in California, from San Diego the Bay Area and many places in between. That’s more homes than are in many states.
Want Some Bad Food and Poor Design to Go With Your Tesla Charge?
Among his many talents, Elon Musk has a singular knack for taking things that are cool—fast cars, rockets, (arguably) marijuana—and making them nauseatingly uncool. Equally impressively, he is adept at taking things that are decidedly not cool and …
Cities Contemplate Massive Upzoning Wrought by SB 79
The largest upzoning in the history of California will drop on select cities July 1. Collectively, SB 79 will increase the state’s zoned capacity by several million units.
2025 Year-in-Review
I’m pleased to share some highlights of what I got up to journalistically in 2025.
Cities Consider Warehouse Restrictions Amid Concerns About Tariffs
The promise of jobs and economic development has pushed jurisdictions to embrace warehouses by the millions of square feet — totaling over 1.17 billion square feet of warehouse space in southern California alone. Meanwhile, local opponents remain vigilant.
New Laws Lead to Flurry of High-Rise Proposals
Due to a recent confluence of new laws and economic conditions, high-rises are being proposed, approved, and built in some unusual places.
The Death and Life of Shakedown Street
Of the dozens of Grateful Dead songs that have been autoplaying in my head since the news of Bob Weir’s passing broke this Saturday, “Shakedown Street” has been in particularly heavy rotation. The bassline helps, but so does its commentary about American urbanism.
Fresno City Council Defers Vote on Major Expansion
An annexation and zoning plan that would constitute the most dramatic expansion of a California city in recent memory will, most likely, be more incremental than monumental.
California, As Ever, Leads National Trends
Journalists recently gathered in Cambridge, Mass., to learn about and discuss the nation’s land use trends. California featured prominently, for better or worse.
Wildfire Education Program for Planners & Firefighters Wins National APA Award
Planners are not necessarily trained to address wildfires, and firefighters are not necessarily trained to understand urban planning. Yet, a new initiative bridges the gap. The program’s directors offer insight into its national importance, the organization’s future, and winning an APA award.
What Japan Gets Right (A Partial List)
A few lessons on cities and urban life as observed on a recent trip to Tokyo and Kyoto.
Frank Gehry’s Star Quality Outshined His Urbanism
Los Angeles-based “starchitect” Frank Gehry died at the age of 96. His fame is undeniable. His influence on cities is more complicated.
Newport Beach Housing Initiative Qualifies for Ballot
Newport Beach City Council votes to introduce a measure that would reduce allowable new housing below the target required by the city’s Housing Element, which will appear on the November 2026 ballot.
Despite AB 130, Glendale Rejects Sears Redevelopment Design
The 682-unit project was declared exempt from CEQA and apparently met the city’s objective design standards. The city council voted against it anyway.
Measures to Comply with Housing Law Pass in Santa Cruz, Sausalito
Voters resoundingly favored new housing in Santa Cruz and Sausalito, two cities that have historically had strong anti-growth movements.
Voters Face Multiple Housing-Related Ballot Measures in Santa Cruz, Sausalito
The Cities of Santa Cruz and Sausalito present voters with land-use ballot measures intended to promote affordable housing. However, the approach varies with measures in Santa Cruz revolving around increased taxes on property sales, while Sausalito focuses on localized zoning.
In 40 Years, Urbanism has Surged while Journalism has Faded
California Planning and Development Report celebrates its 40th anniversary—reflections on the trends of the past forty years and what’s in store for the future.