Plumstead upzoning died four years ago; Republicans say don’t revive it

Steven Greenhut, western region director at the free-market R Street Institute, said public officials who want to liberalize land use should make these street expansions as needed to minimize congestion. He also dismissed the idea that upzoning burdens local infrastructure since a municipality can require developers to pay for any needs they create. 

If they do that, Greenhut said, they should have the right to build anything on their land within reason. Based in Sacramento County, California, he deplored the building restrictions that caused many metropolitan areas in his state to become cost-prohibitive for the middle and working classes. More permissive land-use rules, he said, make housing more affordable and give people a choice between walkable downtowns and tranquil suburbs.

“I think if we allow the market to work, we would get more of what everybody wants,” he said. “And if you want to live in a gated community on a big lot, God bless you; that’s fine; no one should stop you. But that shouldn’t be the mandate for everybody.”