Evidence from Minneapolis shows that zoning reform increases housing supply and slows rent growth, homelessness, and displacement of black residents. But does it reduce racial segregation?
Please comment on Abundance. As an engineer who has thought about zoning since I was a kid and worked in the regulatory world in MA for decades I’d love your thoughts on how states taking back some of the control enabled to locals 100 yrs ago would be a great correction, allowing ADUs, duplex and triplex and single family conversions to duplex, triplex by right as a great first step statewide and helping to correct sins of the past. I see zoning as the 20th centuries “original sin”. Thank you for all your work in this huge issue that many have not yet really thought through as it pertains to them.
Yes, states requiring localities to change their zoning seems necessary, especially in areas with lots of NIMBY opposition (which is often where zoning most needs to be changed). In addition to state mandates, state laws and requirements can give local elected officials the cover they need to enact changes that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to, while still being reelected. Some states have started to do this and cities still resist, so there needs to be an effective enforcement mechanism. The builders remedy in CA is an interesting example. I will add, though, that zoning changes, while necessary, likely won’t impact neighborhood-level segregation without intentional efforts made to address that. So we need zoning changes and then those intentional strategies if we’re concerned about segregation. Thanks for the comment!
I'm sorry, but you can't just cavalierly slip over the issue of parking space reduction. Unless there is absolutely positively strong mass transit, these new multi-family dwellings end up causing MORE problems in the neighborhood because of limited street parking. This can turn public sentiment AGAINST such important zoning changes. It shows how intertwined the problems facing cities are--without better transit options, limiting parking spaces sparks different problems.
Please comment on Abundance. As an engineer who has thought about zoning since I was a kid and worked in the regulatory world in MA for decades I’d love your thoughts on how states taking back some of the control enabled to locals 100 yrs ago would be a great correction, allowing ADUs, duplex and triplex and single family conversions to duplex, triplex by right as a great first step statewide and helping to correct sins of the past. I see zoning as the 20th centuries “original sin”. Thank you for all your work in this huge issue that many have not yet really thought through as it pertains to them.
Yes, states requiring localities to change their zoning seems necessary, especially in areas with lots of NIMBY opposition (which is often where zoning most needs to be changed). In addition to state mandates, state laws and requirements can give local elected officials the cover they need to enact changes that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to, while still being reelected. Some states have started to do this and cities still resist, so there needs to be an effective enforcement mechanism. The builders remedy in CA is an interesting example. I will add, though, that zoning changes, while necessary, likely won’t impact neighborhood-level segregation without intentional efforts made to address that. So we need zoning changes and then those intentional strategies if we’re concerned about segregation. Thanks for the comment!
This helps us in Lexington, Kentucky. Thank you. We are sharing it widely.
I'm sorry, but you can't just cavalierly slip over the issue of parking space reduction. Unless there is absolutely positively strong mass transit, these new multi-family dwellings end up causing MORE problems in the neighborhood because of limited street parking. This can turn public sentiment AGAINST such important zoning changes. It shows how intertwined the problems facing cities are--without better transit options, limiting parking spaces sparks different problems.
This is such good news. The upzoning along with other zoning reform in California will pay off! Soon we hope!