On Arbitrary Lines by Nolan Gray

Writing this review a couple months behind...

Author M. Nolan Gray comes on strong with his initial introduction of zoning as a "stodgy rule book" that runs contrary to our "national ethos," (p.1). I appreciated that much of Arbitrary Lines reinforced the things I feel- that zoning restrictions as they stand are actually bad for the environment and confusing. The book overall addresses a valid issue, that there is no way government (or any other entity) can reasonably protect individual investments and freeze a neighborhood in time, unless it has a special designation. While this makes sense in isolation, the reality of today is that density for density's sake is not enough. We must also provide adequate public facilities to our residents. It is always important to take every book, and its financial backer, with a grain of salt. The author of the book is trained by a Libertarian-leaning think tank. But, I appreciate the free-market perspective as something different, but not polarizing. Additionally, I think Gray really only addresses single-family zoning, not necessarily all the things like setbacks, clearance for fire, etc. that are good for society as a whole.

The most compelling argument Gray makes is that, if we are going to address zoning, we should address actual quality of life issues like "noise, smells, smoke, or traffic," (p.139). It is also apparent to me that the State of Florida needs to improve our comprehensive planning process, like the good old days of Governor Bob Graham.

Thanks to YIMBY for getting this book together. This was our first book club book. 

Some additional notes: 

On first read, I really liked the homevoter hypothesis from Nolan Gray, that "a mixture of rapid inflation and generous federal tax policy" cemented the desire of homeowners to oppose any new construction which would lower their home values (p.64). Now, after reading The Color of Law, I have more context for the racial and social lead-up to the Red Scare-era "Own-Your-Home" means patriotism mindset. 

One of the arguments made by Gray that stuck with me was the idea that cities make a country rich. Often, people treat cities and density as a blight with loads of negative externalities. But, they are a hub for culture, diversity, economic vibrancy, and labor. 

On diversity and zoning, Gray cited some hard-hitting numbers, "Simply allowing apartments on a block - rare in most zoned cities - is associated with a 5.77 percent increase in the local Hispanic population and a 3.35 percent increase in the local Black population," (p.89). I do wonder how such a study could have been conducted and over what time frame. Nevertheless, Gray makes a compelling argument that zoning reinforces segregation that many people in housing space see as thinly veiled racism. However, re-reading this information I think it actually reinforces the thesis of the Color of Law, which asserts that the segregation we see and live today was deliberate de jure, not de facto.