article thumbnail

Can Single-Family Zoning Be Meaningfully Reversed?

Pro Builder

While there are efforts to eliminate these zoning rules, Alexander Von Hoffman, a historian and urban planner and design lecturer at the Harvard School of Design writes that these moves are unlikely to significantly increase the stock of affordable housing. . In Oregon, zoning reform allows municipalities to require large lot sizes.

Zoning 52
article thumbnail

Minnesota Couple is Building a Straw Bale House

Natural Building

They originally thought the structure would qualify as an Accessory Dwelling Unit, but they learned triplexes were not eligible for that designation. Working with their architects and city planners, they eventually applied for a cluster development permit. With a design team and builder lined up, they needed to find materials.

professionals

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Construction permits exceeded $2 billion in Minneapolis in 2014

BD+C

Minneapolis achieved a construction milestone in 2014, when for the first time it issued $2 billion in new building permits in a single year. Architects Building Owner Contractors Designers Engineers Facility Managers Hotel Facilities Multifamily Housing Construction Office Building'

article thumbnail

The Desert Comfort Idea Home: a True Desert Oasis

Pro Builder

Architects: Peterssen/Keller Architecture, Minneapolis.; Photo: Paul Moore Studio Living in Comfort Desert Comfort, with its flat roofs, deep overhangs, and neutral-toned stucco exterior, was designed to blend into the Southwestern landscape. Project Specs: Desert Comfort Idea Home Location: Sonoran Desert, Ariz.

IDEA 52
article thumbnail

Project Manager Workloads: How Much Is Enough?

Pro Builder

Type of units/design. A huge design center offering a vast number of options and selections for high-bling homes puts additional burden on a project manager. Consider land development, design, sales, purchasing, warranty, and administrative functions. Or do you churn and burn through trades, always looking for a lower bid price?

article thumbnail

Home Builder Success and the Fragility of Good Things

Pro Builder

The mega markets may have five times the number of permits, but 10 times the competition. On the other hand, developing a line of coherently designed, efficiently built product that appeals to buyers at a chosen price point in a particular market remains elusive for many builders. Strong locals have done well.

article thumbnail

State by State Incentives Guide

Buisness Facilities Contributed Content

TVA Economic Development Loan Fund: A multimillion-dollar revolving loan program designed to stimulate investment and job creation in the TVA region. 573), was enacted in 1987 to stimulate business and industrial growth in designated areas of the state that are considered economically depressed. In December 2002, the former U.S.

Income 108