After years of writing unread staff reports and explaining zoning to baffled developers, I launched Zoned Out Planner (ZOP)—a blog that makes planning more accessible, a little less dry, and way more human. Every zoning regulation has a backstory, and ZOP unpacks them with humor, insight, and plain-English breakdowns (yes, even transects). Whether you're a seasoned planner, a curious student, or just wondering why your neighbor’s fence got denied, you’ll find something here. It’s a space where the technical meets the relatable—and where planners can finally laugh, learn, and commiserate. Grab coffee. Let’s talk zoning.

Zoned for Drama: When the Right to Build Isn’t Enough

We don’t think about who owns a place until something changes. Until a tree gets tagged. Until a sign goes up. Then suddenly, what felt like “ours” is clearly someone else’s—and we don’t like it. This post is about that shift. The tension between how we feel about land, and what the law actually allows.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

In Search of the Stars. Planning, Light Pollution, and What We’ve Lost

Light pollution is stealing our night sky. The stars are fading, the Milky Way has vanished—and we’re left wondering how we lost them, and what planning can do to bring them back.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Why Do Developments Hate Trees?

Why are big trees always the first to go when new development begins? Today's article explores how construction timelines, cost-saving measures, and zoning regulations often prioritize quick builds over long-term environmental health. It breaks down the hidden challenges of preserving mature trees—from utility conflicts to grading plans—and explains how current incentives push developers toward clearing instead of conserving. With a clear-eyed look at planning codes, urban canopy loss, and what cities can do differently, this piece highlights why preserving big trees matters—and how the systems we’ve built often make it the first thing to fall.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planning

Are Historic Homes Worth the Cost? A Zoning-Time Traveler's Dilemma

Historic homes are beautiful, bold, and often broke. This post dives into the emotional pull and harsh reality of owning a piece of the past—from the unmatched character and walkable neighborhoods to the jaw-dropping repair bills and zoning nightmares. It's part love letter, part warning label. Whether you're charmed by vintage porches or haunted by asbestos-filled basements, we lay it all out with humor, honesty, and a planner’s perspective. Before you fall for crown molding and clawfoot tubs, read this. It might save your wallet—and your sanity.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Cars Are Destroying America, One Mile Per Hour at a Time

Cars are destroying us. Every mile we widen, every lane we add, we're trading safety, community, and affordability for a system that's quietly tearing us apart. This post dives deep into how car dependence is costing us lives, money, and connection—and what we can do to reverse course.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Built to Be Alone: How Urban Design Is Fueling a Loneliness Epidemic

We were never meant to live this far apart. But somewhere along the way, our cities stopped bringing us together and started ripping us apart. Urban design has quietly fueled the loneliness epidemic and we are now feeling the devastaing effects. But there's hope. We can build our way back to connection.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Why Your Neighborhood is Boring (and How To Fix It)

Most American neighborhoods are quiet, clean, and… completely lifeless. We’ve traded charm for uniformity, walkability for driveways, and community for cul-de-sacs. This post unpacks how our zoning codes, street design, and architectural sameness sucked the soul out of our neighborhoods — and how we can start bringing it back.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

We Designed Cities to Control Everything. Maybe That’s the Problem

Cities are often planned like machines: rigid, compartmentalized, and engineered for efficiency. But nature? Nature doesn’t do rigid. It thrives on flexibility, feedback loops, and built-in redundancy. It bends when pushed, adapts when challenged, and regenerates after disturbance. Somehow, with no central plan or zoning board, nature still manages to build systems that are self-regulating, interconnected, and incredibly resilient. Compare that to a typical city, where one road closure or flash flood can send everything into chaos.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

AI in Planning: Disruption, Hype, and the Quiet Ways It’s Already Changing Our Work

AI isn’t some far-off planning disruptor—it’s already here, quietly reshaping how we do the work. From reviewing zoning codes and summarizing public comments to knocking out those dry staff reports, AI is making repetitive tasks faster and less painful. That’s good news for overworked planners, but it’s not without risks: bias, accuracy, transparency, and the future of junior roles are all fair game. Still, if we approach it thoughtfully, AI could help us do what we came here to do—build better communities. The key? Use it wisely, stay human, and don’t let the machine plan the city for you.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

What Is Spot Zoning, And Why Is It So Controversial

Spot zoning sounds harmless—but it’s one of the fastest ways to ignite public backlash. This post breaks down what spot zoning actually is, why it’s controversial, and how a single zoning change can spiral into a full-blown trust issue if you’re not careful. Spoiler: it’s not just about the parcel, it’s about the process.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

What Does a Planner Actually Do?

What do planners actually do all day? It’s more than maps and meetings. Planners review projects, navigate messy codes, work with the public (and politics), and try to make cities function, often with limited tools and lots of pressure. Today, we'll dive into the real work behind the title, and why it matters more than people think.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Is Zoning Really Neutral

Is zoning really neutral? We like to think it is, just lines on a map, applied fairly to everyone. But zoning has always been about more than land use. It’s about power, access, and who gets to belong. Today, we break down the myth of neutrality, the history behind exclusionary zoning, and why the same rules can create wildly different outcomes.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

How to Survive a Public Meeting: A Planner's Guide

Planning school DID NOT prepare you for this. Public meetings are where theory meets reality...loudly. This guide isn’t just about surviving the chaos; it’s about navigating it with clarity, humor, and a little humanity. Whether you’re new to the mic or a veteran of angry PowerPoints, this one's for you.

Juan Castillo | Planner

Development Review: What Planners Wish The Public Knew

Development review is less “evil masterplan” and more “code-following chaos.” Planners aren’t scheming, they’re just trying to keep projects legal, the trees alive, and their inboxes under 400 emails.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Why Public Transit Feels Hopeless (and What We’re Not Talking About)

Why does public transit always feel like a mess? It's not just the buses. It's not just the budget. The real reason transit feels broken? We built our cities in ways that make it nearly impossible to succeed.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Setbacks, Easements, and Overlays, Oh My!

Trying to build something on your own property? Not so fast. Before you get too excited about that porch, pergola, or picket fence, you'll probably run into a few things you didn’t even know existed: setbacks, easements, and overlay zones. This post breaks down what those mean, why they matter, and how they can make even the most patient homeowner lose their...mind.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Why Everyone Hates Zoning (and What We Can Do About It)

Zoning has become the villain of housing, equity, and accessibillity, but what if the real issue is how we've used it?

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Housing Affordability and How Zoning Affects It

Zoning plays a huge role in where you live, what kind of home you can find, and what you can afford. It’s not just lines on a map—those lines ripple into your daily life, shaping your rent, your commute, your neighborhood, and even your future.

Juan Castillo

Zoning Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

If you own a home, zoning isn’t something you can ignore. And if you don’t know the lingo, it’s easy to get frustrated fast. But don’t worry—these key terms will help you feel a lot more in control.

Juan Castillo

How Urban Food Forests Cool Cities and Feed Communities

Can planting fruit trees really fight climate change, lower your energy bill, and bring a neighborhood together? Boston thinks so, and it’s not the only city turning empty lots into food-producing, heat-fighting forests.

Juan Castillo

People Hate Planners. But Why?

Why do people hate planners? It’s not personal—it’s systemic. This post breaks down the disconnect between planners and the public, how we got here, and what we can do to rebuild trust through plain language, early engagement, and genuine connection.

Juan Castillo

Startling Ways the Pandemic Changed Urban Planning

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped urban planning in lasting ways, from how we use public space to how we define mixed-use, engagement, and neighborhood design. This post explores the big shifts in zoning, remote work, 15-minute cities, and planning priorities that emerged during the crisis, and why they still matter today.

Juan Castillo

Funny Urban Planning Memes To Save Your Zoned Out Soul

Urban Planning Memes to the rescue! It’s Saturday, time to relax, grab your favorite beverage, and think about whether the new neighborhood supermarket is following transect zone rules (or not). We can’t help it. Might as well laugh about it.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

What Does 'Missing Middle Housing' Actually Mean?

What Is “Missing Middle Housing” and Why Did It Disappear? Duplexes, triplexes, cottage courts—once common, now nearly impossible to build. This post breaks down what Missing Middle Housing really is, why it vanished from our neighborhoods, and how planners are trying to bring it back. Spoiler: it’s not about banning single-family homes—it’s about giving people more choices.

Juan Castillo

Are GIS skills a must for planners?

Is GIS still a must-have skill for planners? There was a time when knowing GIS made you stand out in the planning world. Today, it might just be expected. This post breaks down how the role of GIS has evolved, why it's still essential, and what level of skill planners actually need.

Juan Castillo

Awesome Portfolio Tips for Planning Students (That Won’t Put You to Sleep)

Creating a planning portfolio can feel overwhelming — especially when no one really tells you what should go in it (or how to make it not look like a Word doc from 2004). This post breaks down what actually matters: showing your work clearly, highlighting your role, and using the right tools to make your portfolio readable, visual, and memorable.

Juan Castillo

Top 10 Urban Planning Tools Every Planner Should Know

In today’s fast-evolving planning landscape, having the right tools is essential for success. From GIS software and 3D modeling to community engagement platforms and project management apps, these top 10 planning tools help young planners analyze data, communicate ideas, and stay organized.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Most Painful Public Hearing Lessons

Public hearings can be unpredictable, emotional, and occasionally chaotic—but they’re also where planners, applicants, and residents meet face-to-face with the real-life impacts of policy. In this post, we unpack seven hard-earned lessons from some of the most painful (and enlightening) public hearing moments. From unscripted applicant comments to nonverbal missteps, these are the things they don’t teach you in planning school—but every planner should know.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Equity in Zoning: What Planning For People Really Looks Like

Equity in zoning, in one way or another, affects all of us. Do you live in a single family neighborhood, you are affected by equity. Do you walk to your local park? You are affected by equity. Do you feel like you have to own a car? You are affected by equity. Whether that effect is good or bad...well, that's another question entirely.

Juan Castillo

Parking Minimums: The Real Cost

Parking minimums are ruining your city, one parking lot at a time. And what's worst, you are paying for it whether you drive or not! But don't you worry. There's hope above the horizon...

Juan Castillo

Visibility, Belonging, and the Unrest in LA: What Planning Can’t Ignore

In moments of political and social tension, planning has a quiet but powerful role: shaping how people are seen or overlooked. Here we're exploring how zoning, land use, and urban design influence perception, visibility, and belonging, especially in debates around immigration and identity.

Juan Castillo

Why Zoning Reform Feels So Hard (and Why It’s Worth It)

Why does zoning reform always feel like an uphill battle? Because it is. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. This post unpacks why changing zoning laws is so tricky—and why it might be one of the most important things we do for our communities.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Reading Site Plans: A Quick Guide for Beginners

Ever stared at a site plan and felt like you were deciphering ancient runes? You’re not alone. Whether you're a planner, board member, or just a curious resident, site plans can be overwhelming. This no-stress guide breaks down how to read a site plan—from scale bars to setback lines—without losing your mind. Learn how to spot red flags, understand zoning rules, and feel confident next time a plan lands on your desk.

Juan Castillo

Your First Planning Job: What They Don’t Tell You (From Studio to City Hall)

Landing your first job in urban planning is a big win—but let’s be honest, it’s not exactly what school prepped you for. In studio, you were designing dreamy, walkable neighborhoods. In the real world? You’re decoding patio permits, finessing zoning code explanations, and surviving public meetings that feel more like open mic night.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Portland’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Strategies: A Mini Case Study

Portland’s transit-oriented development (TOD) strategy has reshaped the city’s urban landscape by aligning housing, retail, and public spaces around robust transit infrastructure. Beginning in the 1970s with bold moves like halting freeway expansion and launching light rail projects, the city laid a foundation for walkable, mixed-use communities. The introduction of the Portland Streetcar in 2001 accelerated this shift, spurring over 10,000 housing units and 5.4 million square feet of development within two blocks of the line by 2008. Paired with policies like the Residential Infill Project (RIP), Portland’s TOD efforts have supported both density and livability, offering a replicable model for cities seeking to prioritize people over cars.

Juan Castillo

Historic Urbanism Snapshot: The Demolition of Pruitt-Igoe (1972)

The failure of Pruitt-Igoe was about more than just architecture. It reflected the impacts of white flight, disinvestment, and racist housing policies, all compounded by a lack of maintenance funding and design flaws. This post explores how broader systemic issues—not just bad buildings—led to one of the most symbolic public housing demolitions in U.S. history.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

What Is Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in Urban Planning

Floor area ratio (FAR) is not as complicated as you might think. This post breaks down what FAR means, how to calculate it, and why the formula says divide, even though you’ll often multiply it in real-world planning.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Zoning 101: Why You Can’t Just Build a Coffee Shop Anywhere

Ever wonder why you can’t just open a coffee shop wherever you want? This post breaks down the basics of zoning—what it is, why it exists, and how it can either support or stall your next big idea. Perfect for anyone trying to understand how cities control land use and why zoning still matters.

Juan Castillo

10 Funniest Public Comments I’ve Heard (Yes, These Really Happened)

Public comment is a cornerstone of democracy—and sometimes, it's also comedy gold. For every thoughtful resident with a well-reasoned concern, there’s someone worried that duplexes attract raccoons or that bike lanes will displace deer. This post rounds up ten of the funniest, weirdest, and most memorable public comments that made planners pause, blink, and silently ask the universe: Did they really just say that?

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

10 of the Wildest Zoning Requests Planners Have Come Across

Every planner has a story, the kind that makes you pause mid-review and question reality. From drive-thru goat yoga to floating homes on retention ponds, I’ve gathered ten of the wildest zoning requests I’ve come across or heard from other planners. Some were denied. A few somehow passed. All of them? 100% real. Scroll through for jetport neighborhoods, skyscrapers over train stations, and one very determined cat lover.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Why I Became a Planner

Before I became a planner, I dreamed of being an architect—until one painful rejection forced me to rethink everything. What I discovered was a deeper calling: not just to design buildings, but to shape communities. ZOP was born from that journey, combining a love of design, connection, and purpose. This is the story behind it.

Juan Castillo

Zoning Myths That Just Won’t Die

Zoning's been around for over 100 years, which means it's had plenty of time to collect myths like a planner collects PDFs. Some are outdated. Some are rooted in fear. Some just won’t go away no matter how many public meetings we explain them in.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Can Good Planning Fix a Bad City?

Not on its own, but it can help lead the way. Good planning can’t erase decades of disinvestment or dysfunction overnight, but it can align vision with action, give communities a voice, remove barriers, and slowly rebuild trust.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Planner Pet Peeves (Part 1)

Even planners who love their work have their breaking points. From public meetings no one can attend to zoning codes stuck in the 1970s, this post calls out the stuff that makes us sigh, cringe, or scream internally.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

What Actually Is a Comprehensive Plan?

A comprehensive plan is a city’s long-term guide for growth — shaping everything from housing and parks to transportation and zoning. It sets the vision, goals, and policies for the next 10 to 20 years. Why should you care? Because it affects what gets built in your neighborhood, how traffic moves, and whether your city becomes more affordable and livable — or not.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Stuff Only Planners Say (Part 1)

Planning has its own weird, wonderful language full of acronyms, outdated maps, and phrases that sound totally normal to us and completely bizarre to everyone else. From “PUD with a CUP in an MU zone” to checking trip generation rates for doggy daycares, this is a peek into the planner brain.

Juan Castillo

Before Zoning: How Cities Used to Work

Before zoning, cities were flexible, walkable, and full of mixed uses. Homes above shops, workshops in backyards, and neighborhoods that adapted with ease. Zoning brought structure but also rigidity and exclusion. Now, cities are rethinking those old rules, looking back to build places that are more connected, inclusive, and human again.

Juan Castillo

If Zoning Was a Person

Over 100 years old and still clinging to the phrase “modern,” Zony Buffer is the rule-loving, parking-obsessed planner in your life. He hates mixed uses, loves tidy labels, and wears a tie to everything — even BBQs. But lately, he’s softening a bit, flirting with walkability and mixed-use vibes. Love him or hate him, Zony still sets the boundaries (literally).

Juan Castillo

What the Heck Is an Overlay District?

Overlay districts are like zoning add-ons, extra rules layered on top of base zoning for specific areas. They can protect resources, guide design, or encourage certain types of development. They don’t replace existing zoning, just tweak it. It's zoning with a twist and yes, it matters.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

This One Map Changed My View of Cities

Seeing a 1930s redlining map was a turning point for me. It showed how planning decisions, rooted in racism and classism, shaped decades of inequality and how those patterns still exist today. Cities aren’t just built; they’re designed, and if we’re not careful, they’re designed to exclude.

Juan Castillo | Urban Planner

Zoning Code Terms That Sound Inappropriate (But Aren’t)

Planning is full of serious business, but sometimes the jargon? Not so much. From rear yard penetration to height erection limits, these are the 100% real, technically correct terms that make even seasoned planners do a double take. Click in for a laugh (and maybe a blush) at some of zoning’s most unfortunate phrasings.

Juan Castillo

How Cities Are Using Form-Based Codes

Tired of zoning that only cares about what something is instead of how it looks? Form-based codes are changing that. Instead of just saying what can be built, they shape how it looks and how it fits into the neighborhood — porches, storefronts, sidewalks, and all. In this post, we break down what form-based codes are, why cities are adopting them, and how they’re reshaping communities from Florida to Colorado. If you care about walkable blocks, beautiful streetscapes, and people-first design, this one's for you.

Juan Castillo