Cozen Cities: August 26, 2026

Technology & Gig Economy

BALTIMORE—Council Considers Data Center Permitting Framework

A Baltimore City Council bill proposing a conditional use permit pathway for data centers has drawn opposition from environmental advocates, who raised concerns about the required developer-conducted health equity assessments and potential community impacts.

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BOSTON—Planning Advances Clean Energy Infrastructure Zoning Changes

Boston planners advanced proposed zoning updates and a new permitting pathway for small clean energy infrastructure, including battery energy storage systems, solar facilities, and related energy projects. The proposal would establish a consolidated local permitting process and development standards for battery energy storage systems, pending approval by the Boston Zoning Commission.

RICHMOND—Police Department to Install License Plate Readers

The Richmond Police Department plans to install five license plate readers around the city to support crime prevention efforts. The cameras were purchased with grant funding through a partnership involving the police department, RRHA, and local tenant organizations.

TWIN CITIES—Mayor Calls for Data Center Regulations

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) said the city should adopt regulations for data center development to address community livability, health, and safety concerns while supporting economic growth. Frey also said the city is exploring policies that would discourage data centers from serving as the sole use of a property and encourage mixed-use development.

Housing & Real Estate

CHICAGO—Mayor Rallies Support for Tenant Protection Ordinance

Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) joined housing advocates and City Council members to support his proposed Protecting Renters Ordinance ahead of anticipated committee consideration this fall. The measure faces a competing aldermanic proposal that would take a different approach to renter protections.

LOS ANGELES—Council Approves Expedited Olympic Construction Rules

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved an ordinance exempting qualifying projects tied to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games from standard planning, zoning, and building review requirements.

PHILADELPHIA—Property Assessments Increase Sharply for Some Homeowners

Six thousand Philadelphia homeowners saw property assessments rise 50% or more, with the steepest increases concentrated in Strawberry Mansion and Hartranft. The citywide median increase was 3%, and residents can seek relief through the Homestead Exemption, senior and low-income freezes, and the appeals process.

PHILADELPHIA—Mayor Commits to Preserving Affordable Housing Portfolio

Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) announced that the city is developing a plan to preserve nearly 1,000 affordable rental units in West and Southwest Philadelphia as a privately owned portfolio of federally subsidized properties moves toward a potential sale.

PITTSBURGH—Loews Signs Letter of Intent for Convention Center Hotel

State and local officials announced that Loews Hotels signed a letter of intent to develop a 500-room hotel connected to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The project is expected to generate $418 million in total investment, including $135 million from the company and $30 million in state funding.

RICHMOND—City Advances Third Draft of Comprehensive Zoning Overhaul

Richmond planners released the third draft of Code Refresh, the city’s first major zoning overhaul in approximately 50 years. The proposal would allow one primary residence and one accessory dwelling unit on residential lots, withdraw a previously proposed by-right duplex provision, and establish new development standards.

SEATTLE—Mayor Issues Executive Order to Accelerate Housing Production

Mayor Katie Wilson (D) issued an executive order directing the city to streamline housing permitting processes and establish a Housing Production Task Force to support both affordable and market-rate housing development.

SEATTLE—Council Approves Ban on Rental Junk Fees

The Seattle City Council approved legislation prohibiting a range of fees charged to renters, including administrative service fees, pet rent, and package fees. The measure requires greater transparency in rental pricing, strengthens enforcement of tenant protections, and is expected to be signed by Mayor Wilson.

TWIN CITIES—Court Finds Minneapolis Failed to Inspect Public Housing

A Minnesota appeals court found that Minneapolis failed to inspect public housing units for decades despite municipal requirements and later conducted inspections primarily in response to tenant complaints.

Policy & Politics

BALTIMORE—City Solicitor Seeks Clarification in Inspector General Records Dispute

City Solicitor Ebony Thompson filed a motion seeking clarification or reconsideration of a circuit court order directing the city’s law department to turn over records subpoenaed by Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming.

DETROIT—Board of Ethics Opens Conflict-of-Interest Investigation

The Detroit Board of Ethics voted to investigate whether Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett Jr. violated the city’s ethics ordinance through his service on the board of Lear Corp., an automotive supplier that has received city tax incentives.

NEW YORK CITY—Mayor Challenges Council-Approved Teacher Aide Bonus Law

Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) filed a lawsuit challenging a City Council measure that provides $10,000 bonuses to teaching assistants, arguing that compensation changes for city employees must be addressed through the collective bargaining process. The legislation became law after the mayor declined to veto the measure, which the City Council had sufficient votes to enact over his opposition.

TWIN CITIES—Vacancies Hamper Citizen Budget Advisory Committees

Minneapolis and St. Paul are facing persistent vacancies on citizen advisory bodies that help evaluate capital improvement projects and make budget recommendations. The membership vacancies and attendance challenges have raised concerns about public participation in decisions affecting local infrastructure and capital spending.

Public Health & Safety

CHICAGO—Police Superintendent Search Advances

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability retained an executive search firm to identify and evaluate candidates for the next Chicago Police Department superintendent, with finalists expected to be presented to Mayor Johnson by November 12.

LOS ANGELES—Council Rescinds Anti-Camping Zones in Hollywood

The Los Angeles City Council approved a resolution removing 12 anti-camping zones in the Hollywood area that had prohibited unhoused individuals from sleeping or camping in designated locations.

PITTSBURGH—Audit Flags Documentation Issues in COVID Relief Spending

An audit by the Pittsburgh City Controller’s Office found missing documentation for nearly $600,000 in ongoing projects funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, citing staff turnover and inadequate record-keeping practices at the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

RICHMOND—City Council to Consider Immigration Trust Policy Resolution

The Richmond City Council is scheduled to discuss a resolution directing the administration of Richmond Mayor Danny Avula (D) to establish formal guidelines restricting the use of municipal resources for federal civil immigration enforcement and protecting residents’ personal information.

Labor & Employment

CHICAGO—City Council Calls for Bally’s Casino Construction Hearing

Twenty-seven Chicago City Council members called for a hearing after Bally’s announced it would slow portions of construction on its permanent casino development amid a dispute over video gambling terminals. Council members said they are seeking additional information on the project’s timeline and potential impacts on jobs and economic development tied to the casino project.

LOS ANGELES—Council Advances Low-Wage Worker Protection Measures

The Los Angeles City Council directed city attorneys to draft amendments to the municipal code establishing additional workplace protections for employees earning two-thirds or less of the city’s median household income. The proposal would strengthen enforcement against employers that fail to provide required overtime pay and mandated work breaks.

NEW YORK CITY—City, District Attorney Expand Enforcement Partnership

Mayor Mamdani, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection announced a new information-sharing agreement to coordinate investigations and enforcement related to wage theft, tenant harassment, and fraud targeting immigrants.

Taxes & Spending

BOSTON—Mayor Calls for Changes to State Property Tax Limits

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D) called for revising or repealing Proposition 2½, the state law that limits annual municipal property tax levy increases, amid growing fiscal pressures facing municipalities.

CHICAGO—Mayor Reaffirms Supplemental Pension Payment

Mayor Johnson said the city will proceed with a planned $260 million supplemental pension payment this year as part of efforts to reduce Chicago’s unfunded pension liabilities. While reaffirming the payment commitment, Mayor Johnson said spending cuts alone would not resolve the city’s fiscal challenges but did not identify what new taxes or fees he may propose in the next budget.

RICHMOND—City Faces $375K Cost From Invalidated Referendum

Following a Supreme Court of Virginia ruling that invalidated the April 21 redistricting referendum, Richmond election officials face nearly $375,000 in unbudgeted administrative costs after state funding failed to fully cover the city’s expenses.

NEW YORK CITY—Council Reviews Pied-à-Terre Tax Implementation

The New York City Council held a hearing on the implementation of the city’s new pied-à-terre tax, which applies to certain high-value second homes, co-ops, and condominiums. The administration provided written testimony as officials and stakeholders discussed the rollout of the new tax structure amid ongoing litigation.

PITTSBURGH—Report Estimates $1.5B Impact From NFL Draft

A new report released by VisitPittsburgh estimates the 2026 NFL Draft generated more than $1.5 billion in economic value for the region, including approximately $1.41 billion in media exposure and $177 million in direct visitor spending.

TWIN CITIES—Mayor Proposes $2.3B Budget With Property Tax Increase

Mayor Frey proposed a $2.3 billion budget for 2027 that includes an 11.3% property tax levy increase to help close a budget gap exceeding $60 million. The proposal would reduce spending by cutting programs and contracts, eliminating approximately 100 full-time positions, consolidating city operations, and implementing other efficiencies.

Transportation & Mobility

BOSTON—Council Explores Noise Camera Enforcement Program

The Boston City Council approved a request to study a noise camera program that would identify vehicles exceeding established noise limits for enforcement.

CHICAGO—CTA Launches Crisis Intervention Pilot Program

The Chicago Transit Authority board approved a $10 million, one-year Crisis Intervention Safe Ride Specialist Pilot Program that will deploy violence interrupters and mental health clinicians on trains and buses this fall.

DETROIT—City Makes Free Student Transit Program Permanent

Mayor Mary Sheffield (D) announced that the city’s Ride to Rise program, which provides free bus service to K-12 students, will become a permanent offering with support from $1 million in state funding. The city also plans to deploy transit ambassadors to address safety concerns and improve student access to schools and other destinations.

LOS ANGELES—Van Nuys Light Rail Construction Moves Forward

LA Metro signed a new contract with Skanska and Stacy Witbeck to advance the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail, a 6.7-mile line with 11 stations along Van Nuys Boulevard. Construction is underway, with completion expected in 2031.

NEW YORK CITY—Council Speaker Seeks Citi Bike Age Verification Rules

City Council Speaker Julie Menin (D) called on the Department of Transportation to revisit age verification requirements for Citi Bike riders ahead of the City Council’s consideration of e-bike safety legislation. The proposal would explore age verification technologies intended to prevent underage riders from accessing e-bikes while addressing privacy and bias concerns raised during earlier discussions.

PHILADELPHIA—First Phase of SEPTA’s New Bus Network Begins

SEPTA launched the first phase of its New Bus Network, eliminating seven routes, adding two new lines, and modifying several others as part of a broader effort to improve reliability. Additional phases of the network redesign are planned for 2027.

PITTSBURGH—City Launches Automated Red-Light Enforcement Program

Pittsburgh officials launched the city’s Automated Red-Light Enforcement program, activating cameras at select intersections to issue warnings and $100 fines for red-light violations.

SEATTLE—Mayor Issues Executive Order to Advance Vision Zero Goals

Mayor Wilson issued an executive order directing city agencies to accelerate Vision Zero safety projects, expand traffic-calming and speed-reduction measures, and strengthen coordination across departments to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The order also establishes an interdepartmental team to oversee implementation and advance priority street safety initiatives.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Council Questions Enforcement of Outdated Parking Restrictions

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) raised concerns about residents receiving parking citations for restrictions tied to decommissioned bus stops and streetcar infrastructure that are no longer in use. Mendelson called on the District Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works to review signage and enforcement practices and remove outdated restrictions.

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