Useful Community Development: What's New
Here are the most recent important changes to our website, including new articles, visitor questions, and editors' answers. You'll also find links to significantly revised pages and time-sensitive or short items we want to bring to your attention. Sometimes we also add short items of interest, especially time-sensitive notes about conferences, webinars, or seasons.
How Community Engagement Builds a Better Plan
Community engagement and public participation for city planning processes may include meetings, open houses, charrettes, surveys, focus groups, and more.
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Code Enforcement in Rural Areas
Visitor Question: Is there any code enforcement in rural areas? I'm tired of living around junked cars, rusting machinery, old couches on the front porch,
Community Anti Drug Coalitions Bring Many Stakeholders to the Table
Community anti drug coalitions encompass representatives from prevention organizations, education, law enforcement, business, and others. Learn how one works.
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Difference between open space and preserve
Visitor Question: What is the difference between open space and a nature preserve? We have what the neighbors call a preserve behind our house. It is just
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Is a gate a fence
Visitor Question: We purchased a one acre home lot. In our deed it states no fence across the 20' pipeline easement on the back of my property. If a 20'
Planning Commissions and Deed Restrictions
Visitor Question: Should Planning Commissions ignore deed restrictions, since they are agreements between private properties and the Town Government is
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Alley Clean Up or Re-Use Stories and Illustrations
Alley clean up improves safety for curious kids and for cars that might be driving through. It also reduces problem animals, vegetation, break-ins and graffiti.
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Percentage of home owners needed to extend restrictions
Visitor Question: I live in a deed restricted neighborhood. In Florida what is the lowest percentage of owners needed to extend the restrictions? Ours
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Can we be forced to stop renting through Airbnb
Visitor Question: We just received a warning to stop doing short term rentals. To cut a long story short, my husband was involved in a bad accident a few
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A Night Mayor Helps a City Promote Great Nightlife and Address Issues
A night mayor is a city or downtown association employee who improves both the employment and recreational aspects of a city after dark. We explain advantages.
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An Innovation District Develops Leading-Edge Businesses
An innovation district consciously creates cross-pollination among start-ups, existing businesses, and higher ed, while featuring attractive employee amenities.
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Zoning of house not disclosed
Visitor Question: I found out after I closed on my house that it is in a zone for redevelopment. It was never disclosed. Do I have any recourse? I never
How to get more fixed income housing built
Visitor Question: My mom, Edith Metzger Booser, organized a team in Middletown PA which succeeded in changing a junk yard into a lovely high-rise apartment
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Restrictions Not Listed in Deeds for Last 30 Years
Visitor Question: Our planned community had a land owner who filed for plats and recorded covenants and restrictions that govern the property. This happened
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