Top 10 Tips for Cities Considering Pre-Approved Housing Plans

The discussion of Pre-Approved Housing Plans, or what we call a Pre-Approved Housing Types Catalog (PAHTC) is being discussed and considered by jurisdictions across the country to address the dire nature of housing costs. Small and large communities, and even the Canadian Government thinking about national application, are hopeful these plans can help spur delivery of more new housing and at a greater variety of price points. This approach, if implemented effectively, can be a way to reduce costs and time of entitlement and delivery of homes while elevating the quality of design and living offered.

MMH Scan™ Supports Adoption of Middle Housing Standards in Knoxville

The Knoxville City Council recently adopted Middle Housing Zoning standards informed by Opticos’ Missing Middle Housing Scan. The Council’s aim is to expand housing options while preserving neighborhood character. Developed in collaboration with community input and Opticos Design’s consultation, these standards aim to facilitate the construction of diverse house-scale housing types within Traditional Neighborhood Residential zones.

Objective Design and Development Standards: More Housing, Great Places

Objective Design and Development Standards (ODDS) have been getting a lot of attention lately as laws are passed across the country seeking to streamline new housing developments. Requirements by states to include ODDS in local zoning codes mean big changes to the way many communities currently regulate and review development.

Objective Design and Development Standards: Empowering Planners to Enable Great Places

In our first post, we introduced Objective Design and Development Standards (ODDS), wrote about its origins, its impact on housing production, and shared some common opinions about ODDS. We called for Planners to use ODDS to engage in housing production, placemaking and community design to a greater extent than they often do now. Here are some ways we think Planners can do just that. 

Town of Sebastopol Adopts Objective Design Standards

Opticos Design is proud to announce its significant contribution to the newly adopted Objective Design Standards in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California.