• Cyburbia is a friendly big tent, where we share our experiences and thoughts about urban planning practice, the built environment, planning adjacent topics, and anything else that comes to mind. No ads, no spam, and it's free. It's easy to join!

Planning: general 🌇 Random Planning Thoughts (and Photos) Deserving No Thread Of Their Own

Just to make sure:

As I understand it, I can now put "AICP Candidate" in my signature line . . . It'll be weird seeing that. (The "Candidate" part should go away in a few months.)

Jim
 
The only person with due process rights in a development review public hearing is the property owner/owner's rep.
 
JNA said:
Now that I am retired, How should / could I feel about

  • The Comp Plan not being updated ?
  • The NFIP CRS effort not kept up - including the Multi Hazard Mitigation Plan ?
  • No one knowing the Census Data like I did - I was the contact / point person for 3 Censuses

Before I retired I did show exisiting staff how

  • Development Letters of Credit are managed
  • The Annual report is done
Click to expand...
How do you feel about it? That's really the question. I know how I'd feel....bugged. I hope to be able to just let things go when I'm done, but I'm not sure that being a planner is something you can just retire from and let go. So. How do you feel about it?
 
ursus said:
How do you feel about it? That's really the question. I know how I'd feel....bugged. I hope to be able to just let things go when I'm done, but I'm not sure that being a planner is something you can just retire from and let go. So. How do you feel about it?
Click to expand...
I sometimes think I don't want to live in the cities I've worked in. (Some might claim it's because I screwed them up.) I've cared too much about places I've left, that I'm sure I'd be an armchair planner especially if I have too much time on my hands. I also don't think I could be a planning commissioner without being insufferable to staff.
 
We approved our county general plan last night at our Planning Commission meeting (once again, held in the jail due to lighting issues). I got to sign all the maps as chair. (Dozens of them.) I wish I had an autopen.

I didn't say this in the meeting since it wasn't on the agenda, but, after three years as chair, I would be happy to let someone else take over those duties. I want to remain on the commission and expect I'll be re-appointed, but I'm ready to pass the gavel.

Jim
 
My experience, doesn't matter the organization, if you have the gavel, no one else really wants to take it from you and they are happy to tell you that you're doing a great job.
 
Who listens to

A Matter of Place with Jeff Siegler is an exploration of the places we shape, and how in turn, those places shape us. The built environment has a tremendous impact on the lives we lead and people's overall health and well-being. It's a topic that receives far too little attention considering the outsize impact our surroundings have on our lives. Episodes will alternate between Jeff's experiences working in the Place Industry and interviews with those people dedicated to improving the conditions of our built environment.

www.buzzsprout.com

A Matter of Place

A Matter of Place with Jeff Siegler is an exploration of the places we shape, and how in turn, those places shape us. The built environment has a tremendous impact on the lives we lead and people's overall health and well-being. It's a topic that ...
www.buzzsprout.com www.buzzsprout.com
 
JNA said:
How Strava Became the Secret Weapon of City Planners

Click to expand...

I wrote a whole post in response to this a few days ago and apparently didn't Post Reply.

There is a feature that normal users can access called Strava Heatmaps where they show by intensity of the lines what the usage is for bicycles in a given area. I suppose Strava Metro is the same thing but with numerical data.

In Fort Worth, you can see the areas that are well used by bicycles (downtown, near southside, TCU area, etc.), areas that are bicycle deserts because of motor traffic (the suburban shopping district around Hulen Mall), but there are also bicycle deserts that are actually mirages: areas of town that are not affluent where most Strava users won't ride, but actually have significant bicycle traffic due to subsistence bicycle commuters (poor folk who can't afford a car). I think Strava can be used to encourage cycling where there are already established traffic patterns, but there are holes in the data that likely miss significant bicycle usage because gig laborers are just trying to get to the day labor pickup points. They're not using Strava to see if they can beat their personal best; they're just trying to make a buck and prefer not to be tracked.
 
This is an important method to use for process handouts when referring to staff contacts.

anonymized/əˈnänəˌmīzd/

adjective: (especially of medical test results) having had identifying particulars or details removed. "anonymized testing of routine blood samples"
 
FB posting by World GeoDemo
It's not a Lego model, it's a suburban district in Kyiv
🇺🇦

1734106282441.png
 
Had the most bizarre inquiry email come in today. It was for a fluffy sounding development throwing "sustainability" around, their website had AI generated pics, no substance, and they literally had a blog that created a fake AI generated/voiced podcast about the proposal...:oops:
 
Drove by a bus stop & noticed the trash can was gone (if there's bench or such, there's usually a trash can with our stops). Told the dept head in charge of those things that the can was missing, they said they'd take a look. Come to find out the can wasn't being emptied so they just removed it.

It seems more & more that this is the direction some departments in this town work. Just take the easy approach rather than finding the solution and making it right.
 
Riverotterr said:
Had the most bizarre inquiry email come in today. It was for a fluffy sounding development throwing "sustainability" around, their website had AI generated pics, no substance, and they literally had a blog that created a fake AI generated/voiced podcast about the proposal...:oops:
Click to expand...

Likely AI will close the gap and become less easily detectable by people, but right now it's pretty easy to tell in a lot of cases that something is AI, and not human, generated. As soon as I notice that, I generally dismiss whatever the AI generated content is.
 
I actually got an answer from the city about a problem I reported.

The feeder road in our neighborhood splits into northbound and southbound sections, divided by a creek running down the middle. There are parking spots, a bike lane, plus one motor traffic lane in each direction. The problem is that where it transitions to the one-way each way split, it's not very clear that the bike lane/parking spots are there, and cars frequently drive through the bike lane. I reported it to the city a few months ago and suggested a combination of bollards and Botts' dots to direct the motor traffic to the proper lane and better protect the bike lane.

They cheerfully responded that they would look into it... then radio silence. This week though I got an email from them indicating that street would be prioritized for a safety assessment in their 2025 list. So no action yet, but it seems like the wheels are turning.
 
Doohickie said:
I actually got an answer from the city about a problem I reported.

The feeder road in our neighborhood splits into northbound and southbound sections, divided by a creek running down the middle. There are parking spots, a bike lane, plus one motor traffic lane in each direction. The problem is that where it transitions to the one-way each way split, it's not very clear that the bike lane/parking spots are there, and cars frequently drive through the bike lane. I reported it to the city a few months ago and suggested a combination of bollards and Botts' dots to direct the motor traffic to the proper lane and better protect the bike lane.

They cheerfully responded that they would look into it... then radio silence. This week though I got an email from them indicating that street would be prioritized for a safety assessment in their 2025 list. So no action yet, but it seems like the wheels are turning.
Click to expand...
There was an incident on "On Patrol: Live" a few weeks ago where the cop stopped a car for driving the wrong way on a street, explaining to the camera (and then to the driver) that this happens all the time. The cop didn't cite because the "signage is confusing" and it "happens frequently."

You'd think he'd let Public Works know so they could improve the signage . . .

Jim
 
This has been making the rounds online since at least the early 2000's, but it's still one of my faves.

December 25

My dearest beloved Michael,

Thank you for the most thoughtful, poetic, and romantic gift! What an imaginative present! The sweet partridge in that beautiful pear tree is wonderful. Thank you!

With admiring love,

Elizabeth

December 26

My darling Michael,

I do so appreciate your creative ways of telling me how much you love me! The postman delivered the two turtle doves today. They have joined the partridge in the pear tree. They all appear to get along nicely. Thank you!

Your true love,

Elizabeth

December 27

My beloved Michael,

Your boundless creativity has no end! Do the three French hens you sent to me really come from France? They are lovely, even if I do not have any place to put them. Really, I appreciate the gift. Really!

With love,

Elizabeth

December 28

My precious Michael,

The four calling birds you sent me arrived today. Thank you for the thoughtful, albeit rather loud, gift. Hopefully they will quiet down once they are used to being in the house. As with the other gifts, it is quite a unique expression of your affection. I truly am grateful for the thought!

Yours truly,

Elizabeth

December 29

My wonderful Michael,

What a surprise came in the FedEx package today! Five gold rings, fitted perfectly to my fingers! I rather love these rings. You have outdone yourself with this gift! I do believe you are improving in your gift selections! While I do love the birds (really!), these rings do not require the constant attention and cleanup that the birds require. Nor do they make the ruckus that the calling birds make. You know Mom’s sense of humor. She jokingly suggested that I “wring” the necks of the birds with these rings. I do believe she was joking. However, I understand her sentiment. Thank you very much for the rings!

With much gratitude and love,

Elizabeth

December 30

My unique Michael,

I believe that you have quite an interest in birds! I had hoped that you had grown out of your habit of sending me birds. However, when I opened the door this morning, I saw six socking great geese laying their eggs all over the yard and porch. Quite frankly, our front yard is a mess! I know that you intended to express your love in a unique, imaginative way, but perhaps you can find another creative way to express your love.

With appreciation,

Elizabeth

December 31

Dear Michael,

I must apologize for not making my wishes clear. When I suggested that you find another way to express your undying love to me, I should have explicitly demanded that you not send me any more birds. So, allow me this opportunity to correct that mistake. STOP SENDING ME BIRDS!!!! I did not expect to receive seven swans in my front yard. Don’t you think I have enough birds now? As I write this to you those swans are all swimming in the goldfish pond, which used to have goldfish in it! Please stop it!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth

January 1

Michael,

My sincerest desire is to be appreciative and understanding. However, I truly do not understand why you would send me eight milkmaids and their cows! Where am I supposed to house them? Where do I keep the cows?!? The neighbors are complaining! Is this a practical joke? It’s not funny!

Elizabeth

January 2

Michael,

While I know that you are trying to be imaginative, your latest gift borders on the realm of the psychotic. Why did you send me nine dancing “ladies”? Perhaps “tramps” is more accurate. All of the neighbors are complaining about these “ladies”. They now talk about me and Mom and what kind of people we must be. Perhaps the birds are not so bad after all! My reputation in this neighborhood has been ruined!

Elizabeth

January 3

Michael,

Apparently you no longer love me! Why else would you follow up the nine “ladies” with ten rather disgusting old men who prance around all over my formerly beautiful front yard. I won’t even mention the games they play with the milkmaids. If you truly loved me, you would stop sending me people or creatures of any kind!

Elizabeth

January 4

Michael,

You don’t want me to sleep, do you? Was it your plan all along to deprive me of my sleep? As if it weren’t enough to have milkmaids, “ladies”, and old men keeping me up with all of their nocturnal activities, you now have figured out that you can keep me awake with bagpipes! Bagpipes were invented by the devil to keep people awake! Fortunately, Mom no longer has to deal with any of this! The paddy wagon has taken her to the funny farm! I bet you are happy about this!

Elizabeth

January 5

Dear Michael Smith,

My client, Miss Elizabeth Johnson, has requested that I inform you that due to the arrival at 8:30 AM this morning of the twelve fiddlers fiddling that you cease and desist any further gift giving. As a result of your series of presents to her, she has been taken to Happy Hills Sanitarium. I am returning to you an assortment of livestock and persons that you have sent to her. Furthermore, please find enclosed an invoice for the damages occurred to Miss Johnson’s estate. Miss Johnson has requested that any further communication be made through my law firm.

Sincerely,

I. Souyew, Attorney at law
 
luckless pedestrian said:
I am astonished how busy things continue to be during the holiday weeks now - I feel like this has changed over the last couple of years?
Click to expand...

With the exception of some key moments, it has not felt much like the holiday season this year. I think part of it was we were sick for the early part of it and decorations didn't go up as early or as abundant as normal.

We already made plans to go up north for next year's Christmas.
 
luckless pedestrian said:
I am astonished how busy things continue to be during the holiday weeks now - I feel like this has changed over the last couple of years?
Click to expand...
This is the first year that we've slowed down in December in a long time. We have a ton of projects in process, but I'm usually dealing with people trying to get tax deals done before the end of the year. I know there will be a fun coming up in first part of 2025.
 
I hate it when the same person calls five times in three minutes. If I'm not available now, I'm not going to be available in twenty seconds. I have developer meetings all morning on Mondays. Why not leave a message or an e-mail, and I'll get back to you?

As an added bonus, the issue wasn't even urgent: just wanting to know if a particular use was allowed on a parcel.

Jim
 
Last edited:
Here is a rerun of my December 23, 2020 column. Christmas and planning related!

A CHRISTMAS HOTEL STORY, AND A LOOK AT THE 2000 FUTURE FROM 1965


This week, Your Columnist will bring you another installment of the occasional series “Hotel Story,” from his time working at a major hotel casino.

Working on Christmas, and all the holidays for that matter, comes with the territory of working in a hotel. As a bellman, I had a uniform that I was required to wear, mostly because I went into rooms, and the occupants of said rooms needed to know I belonged there. Well, one of the ways that I would try to look cheerful for the holidays was to decorate myself with a personal tie, apart from the company-issued ties. My manager didn’t care, as she understood the importance of trying to be festive with guests and fellow employees alike.

So, one Christmas morning, I decked myself out in a tie featuring a cartoon image of Santa, reindeer, and the sleigh. At one point, I had to walk behind the front desk, and, as I walking back there, the front desk manager—who, by the way, was not MY manager, saw my tie and said, “You can’t wear that tie. It’s not a company tie!” Wondering what offense Manager Grinch had to my Santa and reindeer, I stood there for a second thinking of a response. Right at that moment, the owner of the hotel, an older, rather conservative gentleman, came out from behind a closed door, and, without having heard anything that had transpired a few seconds ago, looked at me and said, “Hey! I LOVE that tie!!!” I decided I had won that battle and no further words were necessary.

= = =

The December 24, 1965 issue of Life magazine was a special “double issue” titled “The U.S. City: Its Future and Greatness at Stake.” As someone with a long interest in city planning (going back to my elementary school days), this issue is fascinating to look through decades after its publication. Articles include such topics as “Villians: Greed, Indifference, and You,” “Bitter Plague of Slums,” “Great Days of Build and Rebuild.”

But, what really grabs my eye is the article entitled “Future Choices Begin to Form Up,” about how future urban citizens will get around. One method is via the “Century Expressway,” which would allow drivers to use a freeway-type road by “passing tests and getting special certificates,” and, before each use, must negotiate a “series of entrance checks—including negotiating an undulating, serpentine channel . . . to prove their sobriety and steering and braking skill.” Another idea is for a “Master Modemixer,” which is a round hub where everyone from out of the city would leave their vehicle on the street level, then go upstairs and take an individualized flying vehicle which would take you to your final destination in the city, leaving the urban streets free for pedestrians. All this coming by the year 2000, so be ready!

Incidentally, who was one of the primary sponsors of that special issue? Braniff Airlines, serving the United States, Mexico, and South America, and ready to carry you into the next century! (Braniff would fly its last flight in 1982.)

= = =

When you were done thinking about the future in 1965, you could turn on your TV and tune into one of the popular TV shows of that season, which included “Hogan’s Heroes,” “Bewitched,” “Get Smart,” “The Red Skelton Hour,” and “Bonanza.”
 
There's a little store in Buffalo that sells socks. Just socks.

Sock store in Buffalo.jpg


I went in there a few months ago, and was surprised to find planning represented among the various profession-related socks.

planner socks.jpg


I didn't care that the tag said they're a women's size. I bought a pair.
 
Still waiting to hear if we will be closed on January 9 or not. Right now I will assume not, unless I hear otherwise.

Jim
 
Dan said:
There's a little store in Buffalo that sells socks. Just socks.

View attachment 63988

I went in there a few months ago, and was surprised to find planning represented among the various profession-related socks.

View attachment 63989

I didn't care that the tag said they're a women's size. I bought a pair.
Click to expand...
There is a mall in South Lake Tahoe that has not one, but TWO, of those stores.


Honestly, my go-to for novelty socks is Ross, TJ Maxx, and the like. Much less expensive.

Jim
 
Would you say the 'five and dime' stores of yesteryear became today's dollar stores?
 
SlaveToTheGrind said:
"Back in the day" did you get a shave and a haircut for two bits?
Click to expand...
The term is actually older than that. It goes back to the Colonial era, when the Spanish coin could be divided into eight pieces, each piece called a "bit." Hence, the term "bit" is an eighth of a dollar, so two bits was a quarter. (Also, the expression "pieces of eight" refers to this.)

Jim
 
Dan said:
There's a little store in Buffalo that sells socks. Just socks.

View attachment 63988

I went in there a few months ago, and was surprised to find planning represented among the various profession-related socks.

View attachment 63989

I didn't care that the tag said they're a women's size. I bought a pair.
Click to expand...

Gotta love Elmwood Avenue.

Although truth be told, we have a shop like that in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
 
Maister said:
Would you say the 'five and dime' stores of yesteryear became today's dollar stores?
Click to expand...
Yes...effectively.

jumbach said:
The term is actually older than that. It goes back to the Colonial era, when the Spanish coin could be divided into eight pieces, each piece called a "bit." Hence, the term "bit" is an eighth of a dollar, so two bits was a quarter. (Also, the expression "pieces of eight" refers to this.)

Jim
Click to expand...
Um...leave the coin knowledge pedantry to the local numismatist.

Umar Stay In Your Lane GIF by asianhistorymonth


;)
 
Back
Top