Recent proposed urban infill developments in Austin Texas have raised concerns from residents in the Zilker neighborhood of that city. The Austin American Statesman published an article about existing residents’ concern over increased traffic in the area, prompting a response from the Austin Contrarian. Perhaps the most interesting quote is in the Statesman from a developer, Larry Warshaw. He says, “Urban residential development is the answer, not the problem. When neighborhood activists use traffic as a tactical argument to oppose a residential project, it means they don’t actually have any substantive reason to oppose the project, other than the fact…

Minneapolis is seeking a new planning director, which is interesting in light of the recent “ousting” of Brent Toderian as planning director for the visionary city of Vancouver. New Urban News/Better Cities & Towns provides insightful coverage here. Does the experience in Vancouver bring lessons for the city of Minneapolis as they search for a new planning director. I think so. On the one hand, we can play it safe and bring in someone who works well with the mayor, city council and neighborhoods. The lessons of Vancouver point that way, right? Not so fast. Someone has to push the…

(With all apologies to Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart and others who are actually funny for a living – the following post is no laughing matter.) It is about time the Star Tribune finally came to its senses and printed a sane, sound critique of the boondoggle that is light rail. Moreover, liberal socialist elitist responses such as this one at Streets.mn are pure drivel, a “train to nowhere,” if you will. Even discussions by so-called “engineers” reek of anti-road demagoguery. Their positions will ultimately be “derailed” by the reality that cars are here to stay. First off, David Osmek, the…