[rootusrootus]

> People who cling to property values as a gatekeeper are actually arguing against their self-interest, usually without knowing it.

That is rarely the reason, in my experience. It is merely an accusation that gets thrown around by people who want the NIMBYs to look shallow. There are usually far more specific reasons for opposing new development.

There are always just a few, however, who do want the money. So they cash in and sell out to developers, and then move to a less dense neighborhood. Eventually the whole neighborhood character does in fact change, it just takes years.