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<\/a>A brief description<\/a> of zoning is given by the National Association of Realtors (nar.realtor) as \u201claws that affect land use, lot size, building heights, density, setbacks, and other aspects of property use.\u201d\u00a0 Zoning ordinances go back to the early twentieth century as a way to efficiently grow a city while protecting residential neighborhoods from industrial and commercial influences.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research conducted <\/a>by G. Donald Jud in 1980 suggests that the absence of zoning (or loose zoning) decreases property value (The Effects of Zoning on Single-Family Residential Property Values: Charlotte, North Carolina; Land Economics<\/em>; vol.56, no.2, p. 142-154).\u00a0 His study concludes that residential property owners pay a premium for uniformly in land use.\u00a0 Jud writes \u201cOne of the principal purposes of municipal zoning ordinances is to protect property owners from the deleterious external effects that may arise when incompatible land uses exist within the same neighborhood<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 However, he also states that in the absence of zoning protection, other mechanisms are created, such as neighborhood covenants (e.g. HOA, or civic association).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Herbert S. Swan wrote in 1949 (Economic and Social Aspects of Zoning and City Planning; The American Journal of Economics and Sociology<\/em>; Vol.9, No.1, p.45-56) that efficient city planning and zoning ordinances can only be measured by their adaption to current conditions.\u00a0 He stated, \u201cOnly as they meet basic requirements of present population, and the emerging needs of prospective population, can they be said to serve a community in full measure<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Swan\u2019s\nwords ring true today, as local governments look to zoning to address housing shortages\nand affordability. \u201cUpzoning\u201d is the\ncurrent trend to \u201cmeet the emerging needs of the population\u201d to alleviate\nhousing issues. The city of Minneapolis\nand state of Oregon have already implemented new zoning that essentially\neliminates single-family land use in turn for increased density. And the trend is spreading throughout the\ncountry. While some localities have gone\nto the extreme to essential ban single-family development, others are loosening\nzoning to allow auxiliary dwelling units (ADU). \nThe Virginia legislature is currently considering statewide upzoning\nlegislation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier this year, the Montgomery County Council loosened zoning requirements<\/a> for ADUs.\u00a0 Zoning Text Amendment 19-01 becomes effective December 31st <\/sup>2019.\u00a0 The passed amendment has additional background information, including a brief description of opposition views from residents.\u00a0 Some of the concerns of increased density in single-family neighborhoods included overcrowding in schools and decreased availability of parking. Additionally, there is concern that car-choked streets could impede emergency vehicles.\u00a0 Environmental concerns included uncontrolled water runoff from increased number and size of ADUs.\u00a0 Opponents to the amendment also voiced concern with \u201cthe inability of the County to enforce any regulations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Montgomery County\u2019s \u201cloosened\u201d zoning amendment is meant to increased density in single-family zoned neighborhoods. In light of resident concerns, the Council allowed direct input from the Montgomery County Planning Board to increase the supply of accessory dwelling units in the county, \u201cwhile also working to minimize any negative impacts on residential neighborhoods.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Original article is published at https:\/\/dankrell.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/03\/is-upzoning-the-solution\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n By Dan Krell If you like this post, do not copy; instead please:
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