Zoning the Land for the Glory of God: A Developer's Lament
In the region where I work, I've noticed that these planning processes are increasingly used to quietly segregate people into socioeconomic and racial buckets—all in the name of "orderly development" consistent with the comprehensive plan. For example, in one recent zoning case, a locality determined that a property was suitable for residential development, but that new homes must have a minimum of 2,800 square feet, use costly brick construction and front facades, have irrigated lawns, hold two-car garages, and be built on no less than quarter-acre lots. From a builder's perspective, I know that the cost of simply building a home with these features will exclude many in the community who are not able to support the attached mortgage. This is a convenient and quiet way to perpetuate segregation and to drive the poor away. In fact, a locality could establish a comprehensive plan that not only segregates people within its borders but functionally pushes a class of people outside of its borders over time. That's not a great way to care for the least of these—the poor, the widow, the fatherless and the alien, as we are encouraged to do throughout Scripture.
Further, why are landowners forced by zoning to use property for a single purpose? Why are so many commercial shopping centers vacant wastelands of parking from 8pm to 8am? When the Lord asked us in Genesis 1:28 to steward the earth, did he really envision sprawling and separated uses in the manner we have crafted in the West for the past 60 years? How can we glorify our Creator in the stewardship of his creation? Another silent group that needs an advocate is our children who will need to deal with an ailing infrastructure. Our desire to segregate leaves a staggering infrastructure maintenance burden on the next generation.
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Henry Kent-smith
Rob, your article is so very true, not just Richmond but throughout America. As a transplanted Richmonder practicing land use law in New Jersey, I fight the pernicious effects of exclusionary zoning every working day. God calls us to be good and faithful stewards and servants. Unfortunately the land use process is a theater of division, of "us v them" and NIMBYism that strives to exclude, rather than build means to include. Fighting the machine of local zoning requires a great deal of spiritual replenishment. I too would welcome the chance to meet and talk. Hopefullly the good Lord will inspire a few new ideas!!
Derek C
Thanks for the work, Rob. @Roger - don't toss baby out with the bathwater. Zoning keeps strip clubs from being located near schools. As I understood it (could be wrong though...), I think Jacobs was advocating for integrated planning (intentional and thoughtful) that develops a community (see, life and death of great american cities). Even as cities change, she would have wanted it controlled to some extent so as to prevent decay (juxtaposed against transition). She also had something to say about people and their attitudes, but that's another discussion.
Chris
Rob- Very well written. I share your concern for what we are doing to Richmond and really this country overall. A fun read on how we got into the situation we are in is James Kunstler's "The Geography of Nowhere" The problem is easy to diagnose if you are paying attention as you are. The solution is hard to see.
Mark Larson
Rob - another short book you might read is "Green Like God". It discusses a Christian's responsibility to be a steward of this planet. How we use land is an important part of our stewardship.
Andrew Moore
Rob - thanks for the thoughtful analysis of residential zoning. I completely agree with your identification of the moral and social justice implications of land use patterns. I also think that the typical suburban development pattern is directly contributes to spiritual decline due to its inherent counter-community divisiveness. Let's have a cup of coffee sometime and chat.
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