> Pretty much any zoning policy is based on protecting incumbents over newcomers.
And why shouldn’t it? They’re already living there, paying taxes, participating in the economy, and participating in the community. Everyone else, however, only might live there. There’s no guarantee.
“My friends and I would make much better use of your grand piano than you do, so it should be taken from you and given to us.”
Because you shouldnt get to tell me how I live and the size of an apartment I should live in.
If I want to live in an 80 square foot box, as long as I'm keeping it clean and safe, you really shouldn't have a say in it just because you have a place down the street.
One of the worst parts of democracy is the deletion of individual rights and the majority telling the minority how they should live.
If nobody had ever been kicked out of their normal apartment after having their rent artificially raised to build those 80 sqft apartments, I might agree with you. If nobody had ever had their house forclosed for the “greater good” and had efficiency apartments put in their place, I might agree with you.
Both of these scenarios have happened. I don’t agree with you. This isn’t democracy in action, this is fighting back against unrestrained capitalism which would make everyone’s living conditions equally miserable in an effort to extract the most money possible out of them.
And as an aside, it’s not as if the apartment owners have no say in the process either; its worth wondering why they aren’t throwing their considerable power around as well.
And why shouldn’t it? They’re already living there, paying taxes, participating in the economy, and participating in the community. Everyone else, however, only might live there. There’s no guarantee.
“My friends and I would make much better use of your grand piano than you do, so it should be taken from you and given to us.”