In this episode of PlanningxChange, Jess and Peter speak with Mary Reilly, a planner and educator with deep experience in rural land-use issues. Mary helps us unpack the widely discussed Old Mission case from Michigan - a dispute between wineries and a township over land-use controls that resulted in a major federal damages award (approx $50m US). The discussion does not explore the legal merits or the ongoing appeal; instead, it uses the case to illuminate broader lessons for planners everywhere.
Mary reflects on how agricultural areas are changing, how councils manage risk, and how planning systems can better balance rural preservation with economic adaptation. She also draws on her teaching experience to explain how real cases help future planners understand complexity, conflict, and the value of clear decision-making.
Five Key Themes We Explore
1. What the Old Mission case reveals about zoning and regulation
Mary outlines how restrictive controls can create tension when agricultural enterprises diversify into tastings, events, weddings and food service — activities that increasingly blur the line between “farm” and “commercial.”
2. Balancing preservation with economic survival
Many farms depend on supplementary income. Mary discusses how planners can support this economic reality while still protecting landscape character, amenity and long-standing rural values.
3. Managing risk for councils and planners
A large damages award raises questions about insurance coverage and liability. Mary talks about how planners can help councils navigate uncertainty through clearer drafting, transparent process and sound policy grounding.
4. The unique pressures on small rural municipalities
Old Mission, like many small townships, has limited planning resources. Mary explores how smaller councils can respond to complex disputes and why early community engagement can prevent escalation.
5. Lessons for planning education and practice
Drawing on her academic work, Mary explains how real planning conflicts — like Old Mission — help students and practitioners think critically about regulation, equity, and the evolving expectations placed on rural land.
Podcast Extra / Culture Corner
Mary recommends Zoned in the USA by Sonia Hirt (https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801479878/zoned-in-the-usa/#bookTabs=1) and ‘Paris Tea’. Jess recommends going off-line and embracing being bored. Pete recommends furniture beeswax (https://gillysaustralia.com.au) and maintaining the things around you. Episode released 27 November 2025. PX is proud to be a contributor to the Urban Broadcast Collective.
All content for Urban Broadcast Collective is the property of Urban Broadcast Collective and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
In this episode of PlanningxChange, Jess and Peter speak with Mary Reilly, a planner and educator with deep experience in rural land-use issues. Mary helps us unpack the widely discussed Old Mission case from Michigan - a dispute between wineries and a township over land-use controls that resulted in a major federal damages award (approx $50m US). The discussion does not explore the legal merits or the ongoing appeal; instead, it uses the case to illuminate broader lessons for planners everywhere.
Mary reflects on how agricultural areas are changing, how councils manage risk, and how planning systems can better balance rural preservation with economic adaptation. She also draws on her teaching experience to explain how real cases help future planners understand complexity, conflict, and the value of clear decision-making.
Five Key Themes We Explore
1. What the Old Mission case reveals about zoning and regulation
Mary outlines how restrictive controls can create tension when agricultural enterprises diversify into tastings, events, weddings and food service — activities that increasingly blur the line between “farm” and “commercial.”
2. Balancing preservation with economic survival
Many farms depend on supplementary income. Mary discusses how planners can support this economic reality while still protecting landscape character, amenity and long-standing rural values.
3. Managing risk for councils and planners
A large damages award raises questions about insurance coverage and liability. Mary talks about how planners can help councils navigate uncertainty through clearer drafting, transparent process and sound policy grounding.
4. The unique pressures on small rural municipalities
Old Mission, like many small townships, has limited planning resources. Mary explores how smaller councils can respond to complex disputes and why early community engagement can prevent escalation.
5. Lessons for planning education and practice
Drawing on her academic work, Mary explains how real planning conflicts — like Old Mission — help students and practitioners think critically about regulation, equity, and the evolving expectations placed on rural land.
Podcast Extra / Culture Corner
Mary recommends Zoned in the USA by Sonia Hirt (https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801479878/zoned-in-the-usa/#bookTabs=1) and ‘Paris Tea’. Jess recommends going off-line and embracing being bored. Pete recommends furniture beeswax (https://gillysaustralia.com.au) and maintaining the things around you. Episode released 27 November 2025. PX is proud to be a contributor to the Urban Broadcast Collective.
186. Graffiti, Governance and the City: A Conversation with Dr Cameron McAuliffe_PX
Urban Broadcast Collective
56 minutes 34 seconds
4 months ago
186. Graffiti, Governance and the City: A Conversation with Dr Cameron McAuliffe_PX
In this episode of PlanningxChange (PX134), we sit down with Dr Cameron McAuliffe, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography & Urban Studies at Western Sydney University. Cameron has written widely on the cultural politics of graffiti and street art, and has advised public authorities on how cities can approach the governance of these highly visible—and often contested—forms of expression.
Our conversation explores:
* The social meaning of graffiti in contemporary cities
* How governments attempt to balance regulation, creativity, and community values
* The role of planning and urban management in shaping the street art landscape
* International perspectives on graffiti and what Sydney’s experience can teach other cities
Cameron offers both scholarly insight and practical reflections from his advisory work with councils and state agencies. For planners, urban designers, and anyone interested in the cultural life of cities, this episode sheds light on a subject that provokes strong reactions but also opens up new ways of thinking about public space.
In Podcast extra / Culture corner Cameron recommends the Vivid Festival in Sydney, a celebration of light, music, and creative culture that transforms the city each year. Jess is diving into the global hit Squid Game, reflecting on its social themes and powerful storytelling; whilst Pete recommends George Orwell’s Coming Up for Air, available as audiobook on YouTube or in book form
Podcast released: 18 August 2025
PlanningXchange is proud to be a contributor to the Urban Broadcast Collective.
Urban Broadcast Collective
In this episode of PlanningxChange, Jess and Peter speak with Mary Reilly, a planner and educator with deep experience in rural land-use issues. Mary helps us unpack the widely discussed Old Mission case from Michigan - a dispute between wineries and a township over land-use controls that resulted in a major federal damages award (approx $50m US). The discussion does not explore the legal merits or the ongoing appeal; instead, it uses the case to illuminate broader lessons for planners everywhere.
Mary reflects on how agricultural areas are changing, how councils manage risk, and how planning systems can better balance rural preservation with economic adaptation. She also draws on her teaching experience to explain how real cases help future planners understand complexity, conflict, and the value of clear decision-making.
Five Key Themes We Explore
1. What the Old Mission case reveals about zoning and regulation
Mary outlines how restrictive controls can create tension when agricultural enterprises diversify into tastings, events, weddings and food service — activities that increasingly blur the line between “farm” and “commercial.”
2. Balancing preservation with economic survival
Many farms depend on supplementary income. Mary discusses how planners can support this economic reality while still protecting landscape character, amenity and long-standing rural values.
3. Managing risk for councils and planners
A large damages award raises questions about insurance coverage and liability. Mary talks about how planners can help councils navigate uncertainty through clearer drafting, transparent process and sound policy grounding.
4. The unique pressures on small rural municipalities
Old Mission, like many small townships, has limited planning resources. Mary explores how smaller councils can respond to complex disputes and why early community engagement can prevent escalation.
5. Lessons for planning education and practice
Drawing on her academic work, Mary explains how real planning conflicts — like Old Mission — help students and practitioners think critically about regulation, equity, and the evolving expectations placed on rural land.
Podcast Extra / Culture Corner
Mary recommends Zoned in the USA by Sonia Hirt (https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801479878/zoned-in-the-usa/#bookTabs=1) and ‘Paris Tea’. Jess recommends going off-line and embracing being bored. Pete recommends furniture beeswax (https://gillysaustralia.com.au) and maintaining the things around you. Episode released 27 November 2025. PX is proud to be a contributor to the Urban Broadcast Collective.
