Community Character Act: A Smart Growth Conspiracy?

WSJ columnist Thomas Bray questions whether federal standards on local zoning boards is such a good idea.

1 minute read

May 1, 2002, 5:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The Community Character Act would intrude the federal government deeply into the zoning process, one of local government's most important prerogatives. A federal grant program would pay communities 90% of the cost of updating local zoning regulations in order to "improve environmental policy," "promote social equity" and avert "loss of community character"... might not the market forces and local democracy, if left to themselves, more effectively produce some true character on the American urban and exurban scene?.. But the mere existence of a "Community Character Act" tells you that the smart-growthers are making serious inroads--and aren't likely to go away." Editor's note: The Wall Street Journal requires registration and subscription to read articles online.

Thanks to Chris Steins

Wednesday, May 1, 2002 in Wall St. Journal

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