I think there's a we have a romance about place. I would say the Bay Area should not be changed. And Palo Alto should stay these small, you know, single family units. If we allow department buildings there it would be destructive. It would ruin what is special about the place. There's a bootlegger and Baptist issue here where there's a good reason to have zoning. But at the same time, it allows an opportunity for the self interested. That's the bootlegger to take advantage of the better intention side of the discussion.
Economic historian Judge Glock talks to EconTalk host Russ Roberts about zoning and the housing market. Glock argues the impact on zoning on housing affordability is small and that we should learn to love property taxes as long as they're administered properly. The conversation includes a discussion of the environmental impact of urban sprawl--Glock argues sprawl has certain environmental benefits.