Free Market Zoning

In response to an April 1 jab on Cyburbia at Houston's well-known lack of zoning, Bill Schadewald argues the existing grassroots process of "compromise and accommodation" works just as well in addressing development conflicts.

1 minute read

April 12, 2006, 10:00 AM PDT

By David Gest

In Houston's last zoning referendum in 1993, "a large number of voters with moderate incomes and diverse ethnic backgrounds had the quaint notion that property owners are more capable of controlling their real estate destinies than a panel of bureaucrats with the proper political connections."

Instead of formal zoning, development conflicts are addressed "through a process of compromise and accommodation."

"It usually goes like this. One elected official, a city council member representing the district, brings parties to the table. After some give and take, an agreement is reached without input from a downtown cabal of zone-meisters.

"While the system may not be perfect (and what zoning system is?) this grassroots approach to development seems to work as often as not in 'The only major U.S. city without zoning.'"

Thanks to Eric Arzola

Read the full story: 'The only major U.S. city without zoning'

Friday, April 7, 2006 in Houston Business Journal

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