Cyburbia Forums | Urban Planning Community - Blogs http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php Urban planning message board en Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:40:09 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Cyburbia Forums | Urban Planning Community - Blogs http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php Sidewalk cutout to nowhere http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=74 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:09:03 GMT Discovered in Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. ... Suffice to say, there's one on the other side, as well.
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]]> DebWNJ http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=74 Springtime in the Rockies http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=73 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:56:34 GMT It has been a while since I last posted my blog.

It must be Spring in Montana because the dandelions are growing like nobody's business in my yard, much to the chagrin of myself and the annoyance of my neighbors. Dandelions are amazing plants, really. Cut them down and a day later they are ready with new seeds to spread. No wonder they are everywhere.

My son turns eight tomorrow. I look at him and I see the little guy he used to be. I wish he could have stayed four or five longer. Those were great ages for him and his father. Six and seven have been great too. Now he is a day short of eight, and still cute as can be and a lot of fun, but not that little guy. Life is what happens to you when you are busy doing something else.

Six or seven of his friends will descend on our house with presents and a desire to tear our home and yard apart. My wife isn't pleased at the prospect. I hope they all have a blast, make a big mess and my son has a big smile about the whole day.

Before I had a child I did not care much about them. Now that I am a father I think kids are my favorite people.

I think it will be a good Spring and Summer. Money is a little tight. We will be staying close to home. We are lucky to live in a place where there are plenty of awesone places to go and new things to see close by. ]]> otterpop http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=73 <![CDATA[OK -- this time I'd like to know what you think -- Comments, Please...]]> http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=66 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:13:00 GMT Is the planning profession interested in the Stimulus Funds, and I think, more importantly, will we as a profession work to create ethical, sustainable projects for that funding, rather than race to get something submitted in a political grab for the cash?

The NTIA only has 24 months to spend $4.7 Billion...I'm wondering if well thought projects that have long term impact are going to come from something that moves that fast?

And Lastly...Is the planning profession interested in how wireless infrastructure might help our communities...and what impact it will have in the long run? If so, what specifically would you like to know more about? ]]> AnvilPartners http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=66 What will we do with the money? http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=65 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:34:03 GMT Now that the NTIA stimulus money is approved, and ex parte meetings are being held to organize the administration and deployment of the grants, it's time for localities to begin thinking about the kind of projects they want to propose -- and there's a key issue here I'd like to address. Rather than having a run on the grant funds, in a raid-like fashion, can we develop project proposals that are ethical and sustainable in the long run, after the grant funds go away?

The NTIA funding priorities don't help in this regard, and actually may work against this idea. The NTIA has a two year window to spend $4.7 Million, and the grants are going to be awarded quickly -- most likely on a first come basis. Further, the NTIA funds must go towards projects that are designed to provide connectivity to underserved and unserved rural areas...and these are typically the areas where private service providers can't afford to go since there aren't enough people in the area to support the efforts to serve them.

We won't know for a while if the subsidy of federal funds will be enough offset to make such projects cash-flow...if they don't what will happen? Even if the tower site is held by the local government, the carriers must still be there in order for service to be provided...Would the local government tower owner evenually be forced to charge the carriers $0 for rent on the tower in order for the carriers to continue service?

The Federal stipulations on the funding also include a 2 year time limit on project completion -- which could be far to short a schedule for an ambitious or large project...so are we encouraging more simplistic projects which may not have the impact that well thought out and comprehensive projects might? An example might be how a public safety project to enhance local emergency services communications could be interfaced with a broadband connectivity project to also provide better connectivity to an area -- effectively addressing several objectives at once and possibly saving some funds at the same time. However, NTIA and Federal time constraints may favor the faster, more simplistic project.

We're going to have to wait a while longer to find the results of the NTIA's meetings and organizational efforts, but in the time being, we should be focusing on how to gain the maximum impact from use of the funds, and to focus on creating projects that will be sustainable after the grant funds go away. If we don't we're going to be party to wasting our own tax dollars on someting that ultimately won't make the difference it should.

RES ]]> AnvilPartners http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=65 Hey -- I actually got published... http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=64 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:19:41 GMT The ICMA's PM magazine picked up a story I wrote on what to expect from the wireless infrastructure industry over the next few years. There's some interesting thoughts that, given the NTIA stimulus funding, will even more likely materialize to impact rural and underserved communities. There's money out there to create positive impacts, but it's going to take work to create ethical and sustainable projects. Check out the article at http://anvilpartners.us/Images/anvil...%20Article.pdf

RES ]]> AnvilPartners http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=64 <![CDATA[Q&A with James Howard Kunstler on cemeteries and New Urbanism]]> http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=63 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:36:20 GMT Please visit my blog, Whistling Past the Graveyard, for an e-mail Q&A with James Howard Kunstler on cemeteries and New Urbanism. ]]> DebWNJ http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=63 Did journalism create sprawl? http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=62 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:22:15 GMT When I went to college in the 1970s to study journalism, covering meetings was among the first things we learned. When we got out of college, we cut our teeth on zoning board and planning board meetings -- indeed, covering a town meant covering every meeting in town. Meanwhile, the seasoned reporters often got the glamorous jobs of covering politics, the county board and other high-profile beats.
So, sprawl was left to the rookies and others still pretty unseasoned. While we did a good job of covering the meetings and reporting on what happened -- the board OK'd a developement, the master plan was amended -- I'm not so sure we really did the best we could do, or perhaps we wouldn't be in this sprawled mess today. We were enamored with the big blueprints (this was before PowerPoint, after all), and overwhelmed with just the idea of getting the details right, that I don't think many of us really understood the impact of what was happening. This was before such terms as "loss of habitat," or mixed use, or even "sprawl" became commonplace.
Oftentimes, this occurred with only a few hardy souls even in the room, besides the board members and developers.
And this was still when we as a society thought that all of this growth and development was a good idea. When the new bunch of homes or the new, big retail center meant money for the town coffers.
So, did journalism create sprawl? Or, perhaps more correctly, did our ignoranance of the issues help foster a climate in which sprawl went unchecked? Much in the way that the finance media failed to spot the banking collapse, or the real estate media were slow to see the housing bubble burst, what role did journalism play in setting the sprawl agenda or in ignoring what the sprawl agenda was unleashing? ]]> DebWNJ http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=62 OK -- the Stimulus is passed, how do we get at it? http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=61 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:35:17 GMT It's too long to post here, but I have blogged about some of the specifics that have emerged at Anvil Partners -- check the details there, and for other links to additional information. Basically, the broadband stimulus money has a time component -- it must be spent by Sept. 30, 2010 -- there's not much time to spend $7 Billion, and as small as NTIA currently is, this will be a big job for that agency. Although application guidelines and terminology haven't been fully determined yet, communities should be considering their options and developing proposals. The NTIA will offer an RFP and the race will likely go to the swift.

If your community would benefit from increased broadband connectivity, I'd suggest you find out more and get cracking!

RES ]]> AnvilPartners http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=61 Will folks be ready for the Stimulus when it hits? http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=58 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:28:55 GMT Depending on which version you examine (House or Senate), there's going to be some $1Billion in cash, and a similar amount in tax credits made avialable to the carriers and tower industry to provide wireless facilities to unserved and underserved Rural areas.

Many smaller localities have stripped 20% or more from their budgets. Some have eliminated the planning position in their organization. Others are trying to find yet even more ways to cut costs and survive.

What is going to happen when those project dollars materialize into project applications at small towns that don't have the resources to properly process a zoning permit?

I think industry is going to have the upper hand, and I think that we're going to see more ugly and ill placed infrastructure.

What do you think -- please comment! ]]> AnvilPartners http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=58 The Broadband Stimulus Bill...Round II http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=57 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:49:11 GMT What's it going to take to create a realistic broadband stimulus bill that will work?

No one seems to really know, and trouble is, no one is really agreeing. Congress is in the middle, trying to write a broadband stimulus bill that doesn't have a solidly stated goal, has few if any objective definitions, and doesn't contain any mechanism for reporting progress...

I can't think of a single business plan or project that could survive, much less succeed with that kind of foundation.

No matter what you think, the huge stimulus bill, and the small 10% slice that represents the Broadband Bill will be a focal element in President Obama's first and subseqent years in office. Will we see meaningful change...and will our tax dollars have effective positive impact?

Time will tell. ]]> AnvilPartners http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=57 Resolved for 2009: Taking better care of cemeteries http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=56 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:04:11 GMT Visit cemeteries on some other occasion than to bury a loved one. One of the root causes of our problems with cemeteries is that too few people visit unless they are there for a funeral. When I began my research in 2007, the owner-operator of Manahath Cemetery in Glassboro, N.J., told me that our society pushes off important decisions such as burial arrangements - sometimes until never - which, among other things, leaves a tremendous burden on the surviving loved ones. Well, it also leaves a burden of another type - onto the owners and operators of cemeteries. People don't notice if a graveyard has fallen into disrepair until they go there to visit their loved ones. Maybe if we all spent a little more time in cemeteries while we are alive, we'd see another way to help our communities. It also might give society a greater sense of respect for the dead. Yes, some of the vandalism that occurs is caused merely by bored teens, but some of it shows a particularly destructive side to human nature. Perhaps if we thought more about cemeteries, we'd show greater respect for the sacred grounds and pass on this sense of respect to our children. > While there, take pictures. Many genealogical, historical, landscape architectural, etc., organizations would be interested in your work - and you just might pick up a new hobby in the meantime. > Urge your local cemetery owner-operators to consider natural-burial options. State regulations differ, but many states don't absolutely ban such practices; rather, conventional burials, with wooden coffins, concrete or steel vaults, and finely (and expensively) manicured lawns have become a standard business practice for the convenience of those owner-operators. The non-profit Green Burial Council estimates that enough metal is buried in the ground each year to build a new Golden Gate Bridge. Likewise, urge owner-operators to consider native plants for their grounds. Natives are - naturally - more resistant to disease and drought conditions and take less work to care for them. > Urge your local wildlife and nature organizations to form partnerships with cemeteries. In Camden, N.J., observers to the Harleigh Cemetery have recorded dozens of animal and plant species; most cemeteries can do the same - and, with the help of nature organizations, can help replenish what's gone and restore what's trying to get a foothold. Birdwatching groups, especially, have plenty of options for bird counts; don't forget to include cemeteries as the location for your count. > Get involved with your local historic preservation organization; many of them are involved at some level in keeping old cemeteries attractive, and all of them can use the help. > Get involved with your local zoning, planning, redevelopment, etc., organizations. As research has shown, someday, sometime, somehow, we'll have to find room for the 350 million-plus souls in the U.S. alone. The communities with foresight will have ideas on where and how to expand existing cemeteries and where to build new ones. Such organizations also are well-versed in ways to incorporate cemeteries into local "greenways" programs; sometimes the cemetery is the only patch of green in town. These organizations also should be at the forefront in planning for such things as stormwater runoff, drainage, flooding protection and other items that fall under the banner of "urban planning," and folks with knowledge of this particular area of focus would be welcome. > Commit yourself to one service project a year. If you can get involved with an organization, that's all well and good, but you can also devote some time to your own, personal good deed. You don't need to work under some community banner to be a good citizen. Maybe it's cleaning up some trash around the entrance. Maybe it's buying some American flags to place on veterans' graves, or working with a local vets organization to help them with their projects. For help in making any of the above resolutions, see the first one listed - visit cemeteries - to get started.]]> NOTE: This post originally appeared at my blog on cemeteries and land use, Whistling Past the Graveyard, at taphofiles.blogspot.com:

THIS IS the last thing you need - another list of resolutions/suggestions for the coming year. But threats to cemeteries have never been more serious.

Constant suburban sprawl and urban redevelopment are threatening existing cemeteries and grabbing land that otherwise could be used for burial grounds. The economic downturn has led to increased looting at cemeteries of anything that might be of value - from brass ornaments to even wrought-iron gates. These cases are a burden to the cemeteries themselves and to law-enforcement and the courts.

So, in the spirit of gentle prodding, I suggest:

> Visit cemeteries on some other occasion than to bury a loved one. One of the root causes of our problems with cemeteries is that too few people visit unless they are there for a funeral. When I began my research in 2007, the owner-operator of Manahath Cemetery in Glassboro, N.J., told me that our society pushes off important decisions such as burial arrangements - sometimes until never - which, among other things, leaves a tremendous burden on the surviving loved ones.
Well, it also leaves a burden of another type - onto the owners and operators of cemeteries. People don't notice if a graveyard has fallen into disrepair until they go there to visit their loved ones. Maybe if we all spent a little more time in cemeteries while we are alive, we'd see another way to help our communities.
It also might give society a greater sense of respect for the dead. Yes, some of the vandalism that occurs is caused merely by bored teens, but some of it shows a particularly destructive side to human nature. Perhaps if we thought more about cemeteries, we'd show greater respect for the sacred grounds and pass on this sense of respect to our children.

> While there, take pictures. Many genealogical, historical, landscape architectural, etc., organizations would be interested in your work - and you just might pick up a new hobby in the meantime.

> Urge your local cemetery owner-operators to consider natural-burial options. State regulations differ, but many states don't absolutely ban such practices; rather, conventional burials, with wooden coffins, concrete or steel vaults, and finely (and expensively) manicured lawns have become a standard business practice for the convenience of those owner-operators. The non-profit Green Burial Council estimates that enough metal is buried in the ground each year to build a new Golden Gate Bridge.
Likewise, urge owner-operators to consider native plants for their grounds. Natives are - naturally - more resistant to disease and drought conditions and take less work to care for them.

> Urge your local wildlife and nature organizations to form partnerships with cemeteries. In Camden, N.J., observers to the Harleigh Cemetery have recorded dozens of animal and plant species; most cemeteries can do the same - and, with the help of nature organizations, can help replenish what's gone and restore what's trying to get a foothold.
Birdwatching groups, especially, have plenty of options for bird counts; don't forget to include cemeteries as the location for your count.

> Get involved with your local historic preservation organization; many of them are involved at some level in keeping old cemeteries attractive, and all of them can use the help.

> Get involved with your local zoning, planning, redevelopment, etc., organizations. As research has shown, someday, sometime, somehow, we'll have to find room for the 350 million-plus souls in the U.S. alone. The communities with foresight will have ideas on where and how to expand existing cemeteries and where to build new ones. Such organizations also are well-versed in ways to incorporate cemeteries into local "greenways" programs; sometimes the cemetery is the only patch of green in town. These organizations also should be at the forefront in planning for such things as stormwater runoff, drainage, flooding protection and other items that fall under the banner of "urban planning," and folks with knowledge of this particular area of focus would be welcome.

> Commit yourself to one service project a year. If you can get involved with an organization, that's all well and good, but you can also devote some time to your own, personal good deed. You don't need to work under some community banner to be a good citizen. Maybe it's cleaning up some trash around the entrance. Maybe it's buying some American flags to place on veterans' graves, or working with a local vets organization to help them with their projects.

For help in making any of the above resolutions, see the first one listed - visit cemeteries - to get started. ]]> DebWNJ http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=56 <![CDATA[I don't think this is what Obama had in mind...]]> http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=55 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:05:37 GMT I saw this and just couldn't resist putting it out there for folks to read...Peter King (R., NY) needs to get a clue...

This is not the kind of change America is looking for...there are heavier issues to put to rest, and I don't think this is the best answer for the problem anyway.

There's better, more important work to be done than this... ]]> AnvilPartners http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=55 <![CDATA[CTIA trying to add 'Shot Clock' language to Wireless Broadband Bill]]> http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=54 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:19:35 GMT Local Zoning Orinances Could be Federally Pre-empted.

We have a new president, and in some cases, new representation in congress. We're facing unprecedented economic stress, and localities are facing myriad challenges to delivering public services -- from gutted budgets to RIFs to even elimination of entire departments.

So naturally now is the time that the wireless infrastructure industry steps forward and introduces language into the broadband bill to pre-empt local zoning if localities don't process applications fast enough.

When are these guys going to get with it and work with comunities just like every other developer? Take a look at our blog for more details -- www.anvilpartners.us/blog

RES ]]> AnvilPartners http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=54 <![CDATA[OK -- so I'm finding some interesting things in the news]]> http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=53 Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:48:41 GMT C'mon -- it's 2009, times are tough and it's ok to let it all hang out -- at least that's what the news is looking like.

Delay in the deployment of DTV could slow down other products industry wants to offer -- like live video to your phone, etc.

Obama's support for national access to broadband didn't exactly warrant any inclusion of that initiative in the $6 Billion 'broadband bailout' -- at least if you pay attention to his transition team...and the FCC's appoach won't be ressurected anytime soon either. Clearwire and Andy Seybold have ideas that might help, but both have down sides.

There's one white knight out there trying to do something, but they're small and could use help (One Economy)

From live video in your car to internet on United flights, it's going to be a wild ride in 2009 --

See our blog at www.anvilpartners.us/blog for more, or subscribe to our blog (see the rss feed button at the top of the blog) and get your updates automatically!

RES ]]> AnvilPartners http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=53 Are You Crazy? http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=51 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:45:28 GMT This question was seriously posed to me today by none other than the Dragon Lady (aka the boss). It was asked after what my plans for the spring semester entailed:

12 credit hours in the graduate school split between planning and public policy-Debates in International Development, Community Economic Development, Poverty Issues in Developing Nations, and a directed research study measuring the tax revenue implications of the high rate of foreclosures in a selected NJ township.

Continuing to work two days a week on the dying project that the Dragon Lady is managing and also expanding my work on the utterly fascinating foreclosure data project I've been a part of for over a year. I've started going to the Supreme Court to examine case files rather than relying on data sent from the county courts and the research has been fruitful.

I also have a poster on exhibit at the APA National Conference which I will be attending for the very first time, have some outstanding academic requirements from my time in Asia, and I try to manage a teenager in the middle of all this.

I'm not crazy yet, but I might be in May. Check back then. ]]> kjelsadek http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/blog.php?b=51