Reply to upzoning: what will it really change?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There is no rational argument against upzoning. Everything comes down to selfishness, entitlement, classism, and racism.

No matter what dog whistles or code words they use, there is not a single argument that is not ultimately based on keeping less wealthy people and minorities out of their neighborhoods, gatekeeping who can live/drive/walk in their neighborhood, or the most asinine of all, seriously believing that they should be allowed to tell people what they can or can't do with their property because they don't like having to look at it. [/quote]

I find the racism argument comically ironic.  During the 2014 DCPS boundary change meetings I met countless white hipster couples frothing at the mouth accusing Ward 3 residents of racism because they fought a city wide lottery for schools.  They said they were just as entitled to attend our neighborhood school as my kids were.  I mean, the total lack of self awareness was staggering. They claimed to “love” their Petworth, Eckington, Brookland neighborhoods, but there was no way their darling kids were going to attend their neighborhood schools. The panicked looks on their faces at the slow realization that their real estate purchase not not fully though out was a sight to see.  They were trying to move heaven and earth to avoid going to schools with their neighborhood kids.   Wait, who was the racist?

This upzoning debate is a subset of this argument and equally ironic. [/quote]

The best thing I have heard upzoning lately is in Arlington.  One of the members of the Arlington County Board lamented that the only way she and her husband could afford to live in Arlington was to buy a 30 year old townhouse!!! The horror -- especially since  a great deal of the housing stock is over 30 years old.  Her next comment about where would her baby live in 30 years?  Easy answer:  in one of the 30 year old townhouses that will then be 60 years old.  Again, plenty of people live happily in 60 year old houses.

The similarity  between what PP experience and what the member of the Arlington County Board is voicing is that the30 year old townhouse really isn't good enough for her and the 60 year old townhouse isn't really good enough for her kid. The Petworth/Eckington/Brookland crowd is the same -- the schools really aren't good enough for them.

Both folk want what other people have and can't afford them -- new houses and better schools for a smaller amount of money.

If either thinks upzoning will create new affordable townhouses or better schools  among less expensive housing, they are delusional.

I am happy for upzoning in Arlington because I own property and will do quite well with it.  But I wish the people supporting it would just admit what it will do and what it will not do.

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