• Green Neighborhoods
  • Learn
  • Plan
  • Act
    • Characteristics
    • Policy Levers
      • Capacity Building
      • Financial Solutions
      • Regulatory Levers
  • Leading Actions
Setting Green Requirements
In communities where there is substantial community support, and where transit, cycling and walking can meet considerable travel demands, local governments can – and are starting to – require green design.

For example:

  • Removing minimum parking standards and replacing them with maximums – often at or below conventional minimum values.
  • Adopting narrow local street standards.
  • Including minimum densities in residential zones.
  • Requiring all greenfield developments to cluster housing to achieve minimum densities.

Zone Grand Rapids is a good example of a broad regulatory initiative.  This citywide zoning initiative follows adoption of a comprehensive plan. The zoning will implement policies that call for new mixed-use areas having an average density of 10 to 15 units per acre. More public involvement will occur before the plan comes up for final adoption.

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