Michael Lane

“This is a broad, straightforward exemption that really creates certainty and predictability, and we'll get project approvals done more quickly,” said Michael Lane @SPUR_Urbanist. sfexaminer.com/news/housing/w…

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee has released a sweeping legislative package address the affordable housing crisis. The Committee is scheduled to mark up the package on Tuesday, July 29 at 10:00 a.m. @NAAHLDC has the deets: naahl.org/news/fact-shee…

literally a month ago people were telling me SF’s housing crisis was over and we didn’t need more apartments 🙃

How far can you travel in 15 minutes by walking + transit? Pretty far if you're outside the U.S.

Mayor Lurie's Family Zoning Plan reimagines zoning regulations to better meet the housing needs of all San Franciscans—avoiding the significant consequences of failing to meet state-set housing goals while remedying historic patterns of segregation. spur.org/news/2025-04-2…

Super nice of Universal Studios to build a Paris neighborhood in Florida, so Americans don’t have to go all the way to Europe to show their kids what an attractive, walkable, mixed-use neighborhood looks like

We have to build a lot more housing in California. We have to lower rents in California. We have to prove that we can do more than talk about the challenges we face. Testified in support of a bill for transit oriented development. As Lt. Gov, housing will be a priority.

- Big developments have ~0 "external costs," on net. Congestion costs are offset by agglomeration (wage) benefits. The paper also confirms earlier work finding that new development tends to modestly depress rather than raise rents in nearby buildings. /14

Though upzoning induces more development in high-price submarkets, the effect on rents is greatest at the *bottom* end of the housing market. (Incidentally, this destroys the theory of "impacts" that is the legal justification for inclusionary zoning.) /6

This Vienna street isn’t “closed” because cars have been removed. It’s been opened to everything else, to a diverse and invigorated civic life for people, because cars have been replaced by a multitude of wonderful things. Language matters. HT @_dmoser for the pic #OpenStreets

New housing is expensive and not affordable to the poor. But the people who can afford to live in the new building vacate their old home, which is affordable. The affordability benefits of new housing are indirect.

We invested in mass transit. We should let Californians live near it. ocregister.com/2025/07/07/we-…

Where would you rather have a drink with friends?

.@RepLiccardo introduced a bill last week that would create a new federal financing pathway for accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, to address the nation’s housing shortage. ✍️ Joshua Picazor, @paloaltoweekly sanjosespotlight.com/liccardo-bill-…

Carmel completes its City Center The Indiana City, north of Indianapolis, has taken a unique approach to combat sprawl thought downtown development. cnu.org/publicsquare/2…

In a year of big change, our priorities remain clear: abundant housing, sustainable and convenient mobility, climate-resilient communities, vibrant downtowns, and government that works. See what we achieved this past year with the support of our members. spur.org/about/annual-r…

Notes from @Novogradac: Additional Tools are Needed to Preserve the Affordable Rental Housing Stock | @NovogradacCPAs novoco.com/notes-from-nov… #AffordableHousing #Preservation

NASHVILLE JUST PASSED 6-STORY SINGLE-STAIR REFORM! Nashville officially becomes the third-largest city to legalize single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories, outdoing Austin who recently passed a 5-story code update passed earlier this year. LET'S FREAKIN GO NASHVILLE

I once worked on a development project. A member of the conservation society fought the project in hopes of saving a "historic" parking lot. It's funny how moments like that will radicalize you.