[foofie]

> The solution is terrifyingly simple: don't allow existing residents to block new housing developments. If they don't like it, they can move.

I think that most jurisdictions already have the legal tools they need to put the public good in front of special interest groups, in the form of eminent domain laws.

It's just that the policial will is just not there.

[bobthepanda]

Eminent domain is not cheap to use given the fair market value compensation and the almost guaranteed legal fights.

Really this is a case where states should pre-empt localities.

[foofie]

> Eminent domain is not cheap to use given the fair market value compensation and the almost guaranteed legal fights.

I don't understand what point you tried to make.

Fair market value is what you expect to pay anyway, and the point of eminent domain is not to fleece property owners.

Legal disputes are also not a problem, and quite expectable. It's part of the checks and balances of not having corrupt government officials just steal property to hand it over to the highest bidder.

The key factor is political will. Government officials need to fight to get this sort of project through, and be able to invest their time and effort to navigate political chicanery.

[carbocation]

My impression is that you don't need eminent domain takings for this, you just need higher level government (e.g., states) to set more rules around how restrictive local residential zoning is allowed to be.