Zoning: The Invisible Hand Shaping Your Neighborhood You know how some streets are lined with houses, while others have shops, and still others have big warehouses? That's not an accident; it's largely due to zoning. Think of zoning as the rulebook for where things go in your town. It's the system that decides if a coffee shop can open next door, or if a high-rise apartment building can be built down the street. Why Does This Matter to You? Zoning isn't just bureaucratic jargon. It directly impacts: - Your Home's Value: Imagine buying a house in a quiet neighborhood, only to have a noisy factory pop up next door. Zoning aims to prevent that, helping protect your investment. - Your Daily Convenience: Ever wonder why your grocery store is located where it is? Zoning helps ensure stores and services are accessible to residents. - Your Quality of Life: Zoning helps keep industrial pollution away from residential areas and creates spaces for parks and recreation, influencing the overall feel of your community. - Future Development: Zoning is a tool that local governments use to plan for the future. For example, if a town wants to promote walkability, it might create more mixed-use zones. The Basic Building Blocks: Here's a breakdown of the common categories you'll encounter: - Residential: This is where people live. It's often broken down further, like single-family homes (think: your typical house) and multi-family homes (apartments). - Commercial: This is where businesses operate. This includes stores, offices, and restaurants. - Industrial: This is where manufacturing and distribution happen, like factories and warehouses. - Agricultural: This is for farming and related activities. - Mixed-Use: This is a blend of residential and commercial, creating areas where you can live, work, and shop in the same vicinity. - Public/Institutional: This covers places like schools, hospitals, and government buildings. How It Actually Works: Local governments create zoning maps and rules (called ordinances). When someone wants to build something, they need to get a permit to make sure it complies with those rules. Sometimes, people ask for a "variance," which is like an exception to the rules, but it's not always granted.

Hey SKOOL community! Many of us are drawn to real estate development not just for financial gains, but for the opportunity to make a positive impact. We want to build spaces that uplift communities, address social needs, and contribute to a more sustainable future. If you're a new developer with a mission-driven heart, you might be wondering where to start. Fear not! Here are 5 resources to guide you on your journey: 1. Enterprise Community Partners: What they offer: Enterprise is a national nonprofit that focuses on affordable housing and community development. They provide a wealth of resources, including: Why it's great for beginners: They offer clear, accessible information on complex topics like tax credits, financing structures, and community engagement. Plus, they have a strong track record of supporting mission-driven projects. How to access: Visit their website (enterprisecommunity.org) and explore their resource library, training calendar, and investment programs. 2. Local Community Development Corporations (CDCs): What they offer: CDCs are nonprofit organizations that work to revitalize specific neighborhoods. They often have expertise in: Why it's great for beginners: CDCs offer invaluable local knowledge and can provide mentorship and guidance. They can also be potential partners or collaborators on your projects. How to access: Search online for "community development corporation" + your city/region. Many cities have directories of local CDCs. 3. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): What they offer: HUD provides a range of programs and resources related to affordable housing, community development, and fair housing. Key resources include: Why it's great for beginners: Understanding federal policies and funding opportunities is crucial for mission-driven development. HUD's resources can help you navigate this complex landscape. How to access: Visit HUD's website (hud.gov) and explore their program pages and resource library.

Welcome to "From Neighbor to Developer!" I'm Dominique Pryor-Anderson, passion pusher and enthusiastic builder of safe, healthy, affordable communities. I'm here to empower everyday people to see themselves as developers that can create affordable housing and community-focused commercial real estate, in their own backyards. Join our community to learn, connect, and transform your community. Let's build together! Introduce yourself. Tell everyone where you're from and what's that project you can't stop dream about building or area you dream of revitalizing.