Maybe Barb was onto something?

My aunt Barb recently visited Salt Lake City. I had never considered the place a haven of cutting edge innovation in the realm of urban development and planning - but perhaps I was wrong.

The Michigan Land Use Institute tells us how Mr. Grow (appropriately named) is getting things done in the name of regional, "quality growth" for the area. It sounds basically like Transit-Oriented-Design (TOD) but with sales-tax teeth.

"The region has built 19 miles of light rail transit lines, is constructing 44 miles of commuter rail, and has purchased enough rail right-of-way for a 300-mile regional transit system. Dozens of communities have rewritten their master land use plans, and several have new zoning requirements that prompt builders to construct new homes and businesses within walking distance of planned transit stops."