How Parking Minimums Hinder Small-Scale Developers

Developer Monte Anderson discusses how parking minimums exclude small-scale developers and how to approach parking needs in an auto-centric area.

Parking, Podcast, Small Scale Developers, Top StoryStrong TownsNovember 21, 2017

Podcast: How a First-Time Homeowner and Father is Building a Resilient Life

A Strong Towns member talks home renovation, parenthood and how he's living a resilient life.

Leyrer, Podcast, Small Scale Developers, #StrongCitizensStrong TownsNovember 2, 2017children, resilient

How to Get Started as a Small-Scale Developer

The 7 skills a small-scale developer needs. Hint: If you don't have them, you can find someone who does.

Small Scale Developers, Top Story, IDAR. John AndersonNovember 2, 2017incremental development, construction, how to, resource, urban design, real estate

Lesson Learned

A couple years ago, I bought a $15,000 uninhabitable shack in Cincinnati, Ohio, hoping to renovate it into a nice two-story duplex for renters. Here's what went wrong.

Small Scale Developers, Sanphillippo, HousingJohnny SanphillippoOctober 31, 2017Ohio, page highlight

Fine-Grained vs. Coarse-Grained Urbanism

There's a big difference between these two types of development and one will create a far better outcome for our cities.

Andrew Price, Small Scale Developers, Urban Design, Top EvergreenAndrew PriceOctober 30, 2017small business, granularity, fine-grained, coarse-grained, page highlight, Economic Development

A Simple Guide to Architectural Rendering

Is there an empty lot in your neighborhood you dream of filling? Use these simple steps to sketch, model and render a new building in the space.

Andrew Price, Top Story, Small Scale Developers, Top EvergreenAndrew PriceAugust 29, 2017architecture, resource, how to, Strong Citizenship

Strength Test #4: Are accessory dwelling units allowed in your town?

In your town, is an owner of a single family home able to get permission to add a small rental unit onto their property without any real hassle? If not, you've got work to do.

Quednau, Small Scale Developers, Top Story, Strength Test, Top EvergreenRachel QuednauAugust 16, 2017accessory dwelling units, housing, zoning

Learning from a Non-Conforming Neighborhood

Forget about the superstar neighborhoods—even most run-of-the-mill inner suburban neighborhoods would be next to impossible to build today.

Zoning, Top Story, Urban Design, Member Post, Housing, #ChaoticButSmart, Small Scale Developers, GrayNolan GrayJune 13, 2017page highlight

Strength Test #3: If your favorite street disappeared, could it be rebuilt somewhere else?

Imagine your favorite street in town didn’t exist. Could it be built today if the construction had to follow your local rules? Take this test to find out whether restrictive codes are stifling growth and development in your town.

Top Story, Strength Test, Quednau, Zoning, Urban Design, Small Scale DevelopersRachel QuednauJune 1, 2017page highlight

What if cities purchased those big lots and sold them to small-scale developers?

If big developers keep snatching up huge plots of land in my city, I may never own a home. But if land is sold in smaller increments, that means more opportunities for small developers and home owners.

Small Scale Developers, Andrew Price, HousingAndrew PriceApril 19, 2017local government, affordable housing, Hoboken, page highlight

Find A Place You Love That Needs You

A neighborhood is an ecosystem, a quirky human habitat, and when it’s been damaged by generations of neglect, it probably needs help that has nothing to do with repairing roofs and bringing wiring up to code.

Kobos, Neighborhoods First, Small Scale Developers, #StrongCitizens, Success StorySarah KobosApril 13, 2017neighborhood, revitalization, page highlight

New Milwaukee Housing Program Takes the Easy Route

A new housing program in Milwaukee, WI tries to get foreclosed homes quickly rehabbed—and loses something in the process.

Top Story, Quednau, Housing, Small Scale DevelopersRachel QuednauJanuary 20, 2017poverty

Doing What Actually Works

Last year I engaged in a failed attempt to renovate an old house in Ohio. It ended badly. So I thought I’d do a follow-up on what actually does work given the legal parameters and cultural context.

Sanphillippo, Small Scale Developers, Top Story, HousingJohnny SanphillippoJanuary 11, 2017

Lessons Learned

Last year I bought a $15,000 uninhabitable shack in Cincinnati, Ohio, hoping to renovate it into a nice two-story duplex for renters. Here's what went wrong.

Small Scale Developers, Sanphillippo, Housing, Top EvergreenJohnny SanphillippoNovember 9, 2016Ohio, Strong Citizenship, housing, Economic Development

POTUS: Zoning Sucks

The White House takes aim at some of the our cities' worst development practices.

Housing, Marohn, Small Scale Developers, Zoning, ParkingCharles MarohnSeptember 27, 2016parking, parking minimums, affordable housing, housing market, federal housing policy, page highlight, accessory dwelling units

The $50,000 San Francisco Home

Breaking down the numbers to construct a truly affordable housing model.

Housing, Member Post, Small Scale Developers, Top Story, Urban DesignNathan LewisSeptember 26, 2016San Francisco, affordable housing

3 Small-Scale Developer Stories to Inspire You

Yes you can become a small-scale developer. Here are three stories of everyday people who took the leap.

Top Story, Small Scale DevelopersRachel QuednauSeptember 23, 2016

You're an urbanist? Excellent. Why aren't you a developer yet?

I am serious about recruiting architects, planners, engineers, activists who consider themselves to be urbanists (new or otherwise) into the ranks of the small developer cohort because I think it is the best way for an urbanist to have an impact in a place they care about.

Engineering Profession, Planning Profession, Small Scale Developers, Top Story, IDAR. John AndersonSeptember 8, 2016page highlight

Momentum for Change in Rockford

Even in a struggling town, there is huge momentum to make it stronger. Here are three stories that gave me hope during a recent Strong Towns event in Rockford.