Kenneth Russell
@kennetr.bsky.social
Originally from NC. Now in SF.
We need more homes, especially in walkable places.
More transit! 🚆🚈🚎
We need more homes, especially in walkable places.
More transit! 🚆🚈🚎
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
The SB125 task force is putting together its final report to the legislature this Monday, but there are 3 key things missing:
1. A state source of transit operations funding
2. Multi-year investment frameworks for capital projects
3. Funding at full design
Speak out on Monday 9/30!
1. A state source of transit operations funding
2. Multi-year investment frameworks for capital projects
3. Funding at full design
Speak out on Monday 9/30!
September 23, 2025 at 11:29 PM
The SB125 task force is putting together its final report to the legislature this Monday, but there are 3 key things missing:
1. A state source of transit operations funding
2. Multi-year investment frameworks for capital projects
3. Funding at full design
Speak out on Monday 9/30!
1. A state source of transit operations funding
2. Multi-year investment frameworks for capital projects
3. Funding at full design
Speak out on Monday 9/30!
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
Making it illegal to build new homes for yuppies does not keep older homes affordable. Rich people just buy the old homes and build luxurious new homes inside their walls, which drives up the price of housing.
I understand that this is unsatisfying to people who want housing for the neediest first.
I understand that this is unsatisfying to people who want housing for the neediest first.
I would be very pleased if we could find a way to build brand new 30 year old houses. Unfortunately that is impossible; so the next best thing is to allow rich people to take the depreciation hit on new homes so they don’t buy existing cheaper homes and gut renovate them into new luxury housing.
August 19, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Making it illegal to build new homes for yuppies does not keep older homes affordable. Rich people just buy the old homes and build luxurious new homes inside their walls, which drives up the price of housing.
I understand that this is unsatisfying to people who want housing for the neediest first.
I understand that this is unsatisfying to people who want housing for the neediest first.
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
Happy Saturday, folks! As is tradition, I'm at a meeting of statewide NIMBY group Livable California.
Today's discussion will focus on freaking out about statewide upzoning legislation (SB79) and CEQA reform. Grab some🍿, 🧵 starts here!
Today's discussion will focus on freaking out about statewide upzoning legislation (SB79) and CEQA reform. Grab some🍿, 🧵 starts here!
July 12, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Happy Saturday, folks! As is tradition, I'm at a meeting of statewide NIMBY group Livable California.
Today's discussion will focus on freaking out about statewide upzoning legislation (SB79) and CEQA reform. Grab some🍿, 🧵 starts here!
Today's discussion will focus on freaking out about statewide upzoning legislation (SB79) and CEQA reform. Grab some🍿, 🧵 starts here!
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
CA's Sen. Housing Committee has posted bill analyses (committee reports) for @scottwiener.bsky.social 's "plain bagel" upzoning bills.
Sad to report that the abundance drumbeat either was not heard by the staffers who wrote them or the chair who told the staffers what to write.
1/6
Sad to report that the abundance drumbeat either was not heard by the staffers who wrote them or the chair who told the staffers what to write.
1/6
April 22, 2025 at 3:48 AM
CA's Sen. Housing Committee has posted bill analyses (committee reports) for @scottwiener.bsky.social 's "plain bagel" upzoning bills.
Sad to report that the abundance drumbeat either was not heard by the staffers who wrote them or the chair who told the staffers what to write.
1/6
Sad to report that the abundance drumbeat either was not heard by the staffers who wrote them or the chair who told the staffers what to write.
1/6
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
You may have heard there’s an informational hearing about San Francisco’s new rezoning map? We are here in Room 400 doing it live! And I’m sure people will say some absolutely bonkers things.
Been a while since I’ve done one of these so please forgive me if I’m a lil rusty!
Been a while since I’ve done one of these so please forgive me if I’m a lil rusty!
April 10, 2025 at 7:20 PM
You may have heard there’s an informational hearing about San Francisco’s new rezoning map? We are here in Room 400 doing it live! And I’m sure people will say some absolutely bonkers things.
Been a while since I’ve done one of these so please forgive me if I’m a lil rusty!
Been a while since I’ve done one of these so please forgive me if I’m a lil rusty!
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
CA state auditor is reviewing HCD's review of housing elements, at behest of state senator who says reviews are too unpredictable & take too long.
@nmarantz.bsky.social, @elpaavo.bsky.social and I submitted a comment letter.
1/5
@nmarantz.bsky.social, @elpaavo.bsky.social and I submitted a comment letter.
1/5
March 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
CA state auditor is reviewing HCD's review of housing elements, at behest of state senator who says reviews are too unpredictable & take too long.
@nmarantz.bsky.social, @elpaavo.bsky.social and I submitted a comment letter.
1/5
@nmarantz.bsky.social, @elpaavo.bsky.social and I submitted a comment letter.
1/5
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
SF's refusal to charge for parking on Sunday is so mysterious. It's like a blue law for bad transit www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/m...
Muni to cut service on some bus lines this summer as it confronts $50 million shortfall
Muni will cut service on some San Francisco bus lines this summer as the transit agency confronts a $50 million operating shortfall.
www.sfchronicle.com
February 13, 2025 at 1:22 AM
SF's refusal to charge for parking on Sunday is so mysterious. It's like a blue law for bad transit www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/m...
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
I would like to remind you all that when you block me it becomes much more difficult to educate me and correct my foul behavior . Thank you
January 20, 2025 at 5:41 AM
I would like to remind you all that when you block me it becomes much more difficult to educate me and correct my foul behavior . Thank you
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
There is currently a rush by California officials, all the way up to the governor's office, to enable rebuilding in a manner that will GUARANTEE a repeat of this disaster. We need to be a lot smarter about this.
Here's the executive order Newsom talks about. This seems to make it even easier to build in areas that keep getting destroyed by climate disasters and doesn't address the serious reckoning that LA will need to have about density, affordability, and managed retreat
www.gov.ca.gov/2025/01/12/g...
www.gov.ca.gov/2025/01/12/g...
Governor Newsom signs executive order to help Los Angeles rebuild faster and stronger | Governor of California
www.gov.ca.gov
January 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM
There is currently a rush by California officials, all the way up to the governor's office, to enable rebuilding in a manner that will GUARANTEE a repeat of this disaster. We need to be a lot smarter about this.
Do yourself a favor and use the lists to Block junk accounts 👇
My Blocklists are found on the Lists tab on my profile. This thread details each. I'll take submissions w/evidence for any that match listing criteria.
Instructions:
1. Select / View the list
2. Tap 'Subscribe' on the top right
3. Choose 'Block' or 'Mute' to add the whole list (+ any future adds)
Instructions:
1. Select / View the list
2. Tap 'Subscribe' on the top right
3. Choose 'Block' or 'Mute' to add the whole list (+ any future adds)
January 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Do yourself a favor and use the lists to Block junk accounts 👇
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
“Americans did not choose car dependency. We didn’t vote for it, and it was not the winner in a free market competition. The real answer is complex, but a single turning point reveals an essential part of the story.”
www.planetizen.com/features/132...
The 100-Year Road to Car Dependency in the US
October 8, 2024, marks the centennial of the publication of what would soon become the Los Angeles Traffic Ordinance — a landmark on the road toward our car-dominated status quo.
www.planetizen.com
January 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
“Americans did not choose car dependency. We didn’t vote for it, and it was not the winner in a free market competition. The real answer is complex, but a single turning point reveals an essential part of the story.”
www.planetizen.com/features/132...
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
If you think we shouldn’t be blanket applying historic preservation to parking garages and the burned out husk of 659 Union, tell the commission!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/no...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/no...
North Beach NIMBYs want to freeze the neighborhood in amber. Don't let them!
The NIMBY forces of North Beach are at it again. They have a plan to designate the neighborhood as a historic district by the State Historical Resources Commission. The reason? They want to exempt the...
actionnetwork.org
January 10, 2025 at 10:12 PM
If you think we shouldn’t be blanket applying historic preservation to parking garages and the burned out husk of 659 Union, tell the commission!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/no...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/no...
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
Per Reddit, this Passive House - super energy efficient with an airtight building envelope that doesn’t breath in burning embers from the air, survived a fire that consumed all of its neighbors.
Visited a passive built apartment building just south of Boston, felt like walking into a bank vault.
Visited a passive built apartment building just south of Boston, felt like walking into a bank vault.
January 10, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Per Reddit, this Passive House - super energy efficient with an airtight building envelope that doesn’t breath in burning embers from the air, survived a fire that consumed all of its neighbors.
Visited a passive built apartment building just south of Boston, felt like walking into a bank vault.
Visited a passive built apartment building just south of Boston, felt like walking into a bank vault.
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
Here's the reality about the #LAFires this week: this isn't the first time ANY of these places have burned. Not even close. In 2018, we mapped CA fire history to look at fire frequency across SoCal. Santa Monica Mtns area burns more than anywhere else -- up to once per decade in a given spot. 🧵
January 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Here's the reality about the #LAFires this week: this isn't the first time ANY of these places have burned. Not even close. In 2018, we mapped CA fire history to look at fire frequency across SoCal. Santa Monica Mtns area burns more than anywhere else -- up to once per decade in a given spot. 🧵
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
Seventy years of building in the wildland urban interface in California. Apropos of nothing, we should maybe, idk, stop doing that?
January 8, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Seventy years of building in the wildland urban interface in California. Apropos of nothing, we should maybe, idk, stop doing that?
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
One home becomes 12 homes
January 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM
One home becomes 12 homes
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
Congratulations, New York City! Now please stop calling it "congestion pricing". It's the "Congestion Relief Zone," because congestion relief is what the toll buys.
It’s happening! Tonight, MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber unveiled one of the signs at the entrance to the Congestion Relief Zone. Tolling begins at midnight.
Learn more: congestionreliefzone.mta.info
Learn more: congestionreliefzone.mta.info
January 5, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Congratulations, New York City! Now please stop calling it "congestion pricing". It's the "Congestion Relief Zone," because congestion relief is what the toll buys.
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
We hope everyone had a great holiday break! Join us for our first meeting of 2025 next Wednesday from 6 - 8 pm. What's up with the rezoning? Who will be the new Board President? And how can you get involved? Snag a spot today! actionnetwork.org/events/sf-yi...
SF YIMBY General Meeting - January 2025
New year, new you, new housing! Join your fellow YIMBYs for the first meeting of 2025. We have a new Mayor and a new Board, so what does that mean for housing abundance? Learn about that, connect wit...
actionnetwork.org
January 2, 2025 at 11:06 PM
We hope everyone had a great holiday break! Join us for our first meeting of 2025 next Wednesday from 6 - 8 pm. What's up with the rezoning? Who will be the new Board President? And how can you get involved? Snag a spot today! actionnetwork.org/events/sf-yi...
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
HOW TO FIX CALIFORNIA'S HOUSING CRISIS:
1. Repeal the California Environmental Quality Act
2. Phase out Prop 13 and remove limits on municipal property taxes
3. Repeal Prop 103 and instead of price controls on insurance, just let the FAIR Plan compete with private insurers
1. Repeal the California Environmental Quality Act
2. Phase out Prop 13 and remove limits on municipal property taxes
3. Repeal Prop 103 and instead of price controls on insurance, just let the FAIR Plan compete with private insurers
January 2, 2025 at 12:06 PM
HOW TO FIX CALIFORNIA'S HOUSING CRISIS:
1. Repeal the California Environmental Quality Act
2. Phase out Prop 13 and remove limits on municipal property taxes
3. Repeal Prop 103 and instead of price controls on insurance, just let the FAIR Plan compete with private insurers
1. Repeal the California Environmental Quality Act
2. Phase out Prop 13 and remove limits on municipal property taxes
3. Repeal Prop 103 and instead of price controls on insurance, just let the FAIR Plan compete with private insurers
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
American urban planning institutions regulate the wrong things, in the wrong ways, for the benefit of the wrong people.
Urban planning should focus on accommodating population and economic growth in an orderly fashion and creating a pleasant public realm for everyone to enjoy.
Urban planning should focus on accommodating population and economic growth in an orderly fashion and creating a pleasant public realm for everyone to enjoy.
December 19, 2024 at 6:28 PM
American urban planning institutions regulate the wrong things, in the wrong ways, for the benefit of the wrong people.
Urban planning should focus on accommodating population and economic growth in an orderly fashion and creating a pleasant public realm for everyone to enjoy.
Urban planning should focus on accommodating population and economic growth in an orderly fashion and creating a pleasant public realm for everyone to enjoy.
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
Tell Gov. Newsom to flex CA's highway dollars into transit! With Trump threatening to impound already allocated funds, Newsom needs to move fast to transfer federal funding into much-needed transit projects. www.movecalifornia.org/take-action
About 5 — Move California
www.movecalifornia.org
December 16, 2024 at 9:18 PM
Tell Gov. Newsom to flex CA's highway dollars into transit! With Trump threatening to impound already allocated funds, Newsom needs to move fast to transfer federal funding into much-needed transit projects. www.movecalifornia.org/take-action
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
Here's my 2 cents for @resnikoff.bsky.social and @interfluidity.com .
open.substack.com/pub/kevinerd...
open.substack.com/pub/kevinerd...
Expensive Cities Aren't Attractive Cities: Follow Up
I just happened again upon a fantastic post from earlier this year from Ned Resnikoff titled, “YIMBYs are Proving the Fatalists Wrong: A response to Steve Randy Waldman”
open.substack.com
December 16, 2024 at 3:55 AM
Here's my 2 cents for @resnikoff.bsky.social and @interfluidity.com .
open.substack.com/pub/kevinerd...
open.substack.com/pub/kevinerd...
Reposted by Kenneth Russell
The Nimbee holiday plushie sale is back, and this year, we have the all new Yimbee plushie!
$15 (+$10 for each additional plushie) and free shipping!
Order by Dec. 15 to guarantee delivery by Xmas.
paypal.me/Takomatorch
Venmo @EricSaul
Leave your address in the memo!
$15 (+$10 for each additional plushie) and free shipping!
Order by Dec. 15 to guarantee delivery by Xmas.
paypal.me/Takomatorch
Venmo @EricSaul
Leave your address in the memo!
November 23, 2024 at 2:42 AM
The Nimbee holiday plushie sale is back, and this year, we have the all new Yimbee plushie!
$15 (+$10 for each additional plushie) and free shipping!
Order by Dec. 15 to guarantee delivery by Xmas.
paypal.me/Takomatorch
Venmo @EricSaul
Leave your address in the memo!
$15 (+$10 for each additional plushie) and free shipping!
Order by Dec. 15 to guarantee delivery by Xmas.
paypal.me/Takomatorch
Venmo @EricSaul
Leave your address in the memo!