EDITORIAL: Density zoning’s drumbeat drones on
Longtime “Simpsons” fans will recall the satirical series’ riff on Broadway’s “The Music Man.” The citizens of mythical Springfield are beguiled by a huckster who pitches them on the idea of building a monorail — which, of course, the town can’t afford and doesn’t need.
Before even unveiling his proposal, the pitchman slyly plays the townsfolk off of their rival city just down the road. He pretends to hesitate and appears about to leave as he observes aloud to a gathering at Springfield City Hall, “…Oh, it’s not for you. It’s more of a Shelbyville idea.”
Incensed, Springfield’s mayor shoots back from his podium, “Now just a minute! We’re twice as smart as the people of Shelbyville. Just tell us your idea, and we’ll vote for it!”
It’s how Gov. Jared Polis and his “affordable housing” braintrust must view Colorado’s communities — as the state government attempts to foist its sweeping rewrite of land-use rules on them. The state-imposed changes to local zoning codes, pushed through the General Assembly by the governor over the past two years, force Polis’ untested vision for affordable housing onto the most populous parts of the state whether citizens want it or not.
The legislation mandates a host of changes to local zoning rules on considerations ranging from housing units per parcel to parking. It all boils down to an attempt to cram more housing into less space.
Like a 19th century snake-oil salesman — and much like the original “Music Man’s” Professor Harold Hill — Polis has resorted to assorted means to peddle his product to those he presumes to be provincial rubes. He has used fear — invoking the affordable-housing crisis; threats — to withhold state funding from cities that balk, and promises — notably, the cure-all of density zoning. Density is billed as a tonic for all ailments — from climate change, to congested roads to urban sprawl. Above all, Polis insists, it’ll mean more affordable housing.
Don’t bother trying to connect all of those dots. While there’s some theoretical plausibility to some of it — build enough housing, and prices will drop at some point — it hardly justifies upending the state’s single-family-home neighborhoods to make way for multifamily housing, as Polis’ agenda intends.
While the governor rattles his saber at cities that won’t go along, his political allies in some other Colorado cities already seem to have drunk the Kool-Aid — much like The Simpsons’ fictitious Mayor Quimby.
Last week, for example, Lakewood’s City Council took steps toward implementing the state’s dictates locally. As The Gazette reported, the council appears to be ramming the zoning changes through, over the objections of locals.
Perhaps that’s what Polis is really counting on — local collaborators who’ll do his bidding through the back door while he creates a diversion out front.
The good news is some other cities are pushing back in earnest. In May, the cities of Aurora, Arvada, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Lafayette and Westminster sued in Denver District Court to stop Polis and the legislature from steamrolling them and their citizens. They contend the governor and legislature are trying to trample constitutional and statutory authority long reserved to Colorado cities to chart their own course on fundamental land-use matters.
Meanwhile, other cities are watching and waiting. Some, like Colorado Springs, are adopting changes to their zoning codes that work for their citizens but don’t conform to the new state laws.
Good. They all are a lot smarter than the governor seems to think they are. And as far as they are concerned, he can pack up his medicine show and take it down the road. To Shelbyville, perhaps.
