Downtown Charlotte, NC by James Willamor licensed under Creative Commons.

Charlotte, NC, risks backsliding on inclusive housing reforms. How land-value taxes could reshape Detroit. Baby Boomers dominate the housing market.

Can Charlotte re-sort itself?: A year after passing a momentous zoning reform by a narrow margin, Charlotte, North Carolina, continues to rehash fights over development, equity, and racism. The Unified Development Ordinance would get rid of single-family, detached zoning, but council members opposed to the changes are looking to restrict the densities allowed by the hard-fought reforms. (This article may be behind a paywall) (Andy Thomason | The Assembly NC)

Is the land-value tax idea back?: Detroit’s mayor, Mike Duggan, is one of the few leaders in the country considering a land-value tax to raise rates on vacant land and lower them on parcels with occupied structures. Interestingly enough he hadn’t heard of Georgism. But the hope with implementation is that a more equitable system emerges where speculation is reduced and redevelopment is rewarded. The only stumbling block now is getting the state of Michigan to let them do it. (This article is behind a paywall) (Conor Dougherty | New York Times)

Baby boomers prevailing in housing purchases: The housing market is still hot, buoyed by short supply and older buyers with the ability to avoid high interest rates through cash offers. New data released by the National Association of Realtors found that the median age for a home buyer was 58. In 1981, the median age was 36. The market is still rough for first-time buyers, especially young ones looking for an affordable home. (This article is behind a paywall) (Rachel Siegel | Post)

Navigating transit’s financial woes: Transit agencies have been facing tough headwinds after the toughest part of the pandemic with many on a path to hit fiscal uncertainty in the next few years. Two recent webinars and several reports hint at some of the ways transit agencies can improve their fortunes including the diversification of funding sources and pushing for more flex funds from state highway departments, which is allowed under federal transportation laws. (Jared Brey | Governing)

Quote of the Week

“I’ve spoken with staffers in a dozen federal agencies this year while rolling out my book about government culture and effectiveness. I heard over and over about rigid, maximalist interpretations of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures that take precedence over mission. Too often acting responsibly in government has come to mean not acting at all.”

Jennifer Pahlka at the Washington Post, discusses how the gears of government have ground to a halt in the ‘Kludgeocracy’.

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by transit expert and former general manager for three transit systems, Ron Kilcoyne, who talks about the importance of running frequent transit service to attract riders.