Building Types in Zoning, Part 2: Where?

As established in Part 1 of this series, we understand why it’s important to use building types. Now, let’s get into the next question: where? This post focuses on where building types are most effective, where they could be helpful but aren’t necessary, and where they are not necessary and should not be used.

An Agile, Cost-Competitive, Alternative Approach to Class A Multifamily Living Using Missing Middle Housing, Part 1

Case Study: Bungalows on the Lake at Prairie Queen, Papillion, NE

Ending Systemic Oppression

“To everyone who is feeling anger, sadness, frustration and grief right now: we see you and we hear you.” ~Calvin Gladney, President and CEO of Smart Growth America

Ready to Help

To Our Clients, Colleagues, and Friends: We hope you are staying healthy and safe. As has been the case since our founding 20 years ago, our mission at Opticos is to support and help strengthen communities, and we remain ready and able to do ...

How to Get By-Right Zoning Right

In November of 2016, Opticos Principal Karen Parolek keenly identified that ‘by-right zoning’ was getting lots of buzz as a tool to help with California’s housing crisis: We need 180,000 dwellings each year by 2025 to keep up with demand.