What might you do?

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Scenario

In one area of your community the population consists largely of relatively recent immigrants to this country. Population density in the entire community has risen, and the planning department is under pressure from some members of the community to reduce density. In response to this pressure, a regulation to prevent subdividing existing residences into apartments is currently under consideration. You hold a community meeting to discuss the proposed regulation, and it is denounced as being discriminatory to the generally low-income, immigrant population who rent units in subdivided buildings.

What might you do?

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Answer: Clashing values are not uncommon in the planning process, so you might work to gather sufficient facts to distinguish between the perception of the problem and the reality and to fully understand the history of the community. While you are committed to serving the public interest, this can be difficult when you are serving a public with opposing points of view You might write a report that includes arguments for and against the proposed regulatory changes along with relevant facts that clarify the situation, including a discussion of housing affordability in your community and how the proposed regulation may affect the supply of affordable housing. In your report you might balance concerns about affordable housing with concerns about preserving the integrity of the built environment You might recommend that additional meetings be scheduled to ensure opportunity for further public input that will be seriously considered in making a final recommendation. Based on these meetings, your report may contain a recommendation that the jurisdiction develop and support regulations that allow higher density development on the grounds that such regulations would expand housing choice, particularly for those of low to moderate income