Zoning is an institution often misunderstood by many, myself included, so let’s delve into a 22-page treatise written by the founder of the Free State Project. To use Ray Guarino’s favorite word, ACRIMONIOUS, as many recent discussions, both online and in person, have been just that, so it’s important to say that I mean zero disrespect against anyone for being a Free Stater. In fact, I happen to like many of them. With that housekeeping item out of the way, let’s ponder the following “yes or no” question: Should zoning be abolished?
Personally, and probably setting myself up for (more) social media insults for “Julie writing about Julie,” my thoughts are zoning should stay, and it’s up to each town or city to use (or modify) the process for updates. Reviews and updates could be scheduled, like the Census, or requested and approved by way of due process, but the decision should be made at the local level by the locals.
Sorens calls zoning useless, unjust, and irrational and explains why. He later acknowledges most of the reasons why people are against abolishing it, though he’s seemingly unconcerned about disastrous unintended consequences, and so are his passionate fans. They’re single mindedly sold on just the “property rights” argument, everything else be damned, and they build their in-person debates around rebuttals to plausible concerns in a patchwork fashion. They’re definitely not examining the whole forest, but rather just one tree.
In the conclusion, Page 16 for those wanting to skip ahead, he says the insidious and sinister part out loud, and it’s very frightening, akin to a page out of the Agenda 21/2030 playbook. He doesn’t say SMART CITY or 15 MINUTE CITY, but he uses the word SPRAWL more than once, implying that it’s a reason for his proposal. Matter can’t be created or destroyed. That’s something everyone should have been taught, regardless of what kind of education they received. I often say that when candidates complain about redistricting. You have to count those (legal) blue votes somewhere. As for building additional dwellings, they must be built somewhere, and Sorens is clearly embracing the 15-minute or smart city model. He even mentions bikes.
If Anytown USA wants a bike lane, there’s a warrant article process. If towns and cities want to invite the Trojan horse, grants are often available to cover the expenses involved, but the decision should be made locally and with informed consent. An example of informed consent would be the voters being properly notified that accepting an all-expenses-paid bike lane means that the library must have drag queen story hour 7 days a week for the rest of the future.
Central planning is like selling one’s soul to the devil. You may get some short-term gratification, like dethroning a tyrant on your local board or vindication after being denied the permit you requested and appealed. However, it’s the poison apple, and there is no antidote. Just say no.
Sorens was a featured guest at a recent NRPC event. If you want to learn more about the evils of the NRPC, I will again refer you to Selectman Larry Cleveland and Alderman Chris Thibodeau and add private citizen Joe Garruba to the list of recommended subject matter experts. While being a speaker or an attendee of an event doesn’t necessarily mean that said person has officially kissed the ring of Agenda 21/2030, it should give the observer some pause to “unbundle” some possible ties.
And perhaps the most frightening language at the end of Sorens’s opus is the flavor of Hillary’s famous words, “by any means necessary.” I know plenty of frequent flyers who have been “bumped,” and there’s definitely a process to ratcheting up the aggression when someone doesn’t take the compensation being offered. COVID was like that also. We all remember the “do this or…” The hierarchy for filling in the blank starts with praise, then bribery, and ultimately threats. Sorens clearly acknowledges that his idea won’t be an easy sell and suggests some fragmented adaptive tactics for getting his way. An outspoken NRPC critic once used the words “they have no soul and will do anything to get what they want.” That is what the Sorens Manifesto sounds like to me, and I know that I’m not alone.
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