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Depressing @Cal_Plan interview with major LA transit advocate @DennyZane @MoveLATransit, who opposes @Scott_Wiener #SB50 (allowing apartments near major transit). His arguments are incorrect & self-defeating: planningreport.com/2019/09/16/den… 1/8
First, he argues that requiring density near transit would sink transit ballot measures, as NIMBY suburbs would oppose them. But why should taxpayers pay for transit to low-density areas with weak ridership results? That's what happened in LA, with $$ wasted on weak lines. 2/8
Second, he wants cities to have an alternative to a "one-size-fits-all" state zoning standard near transit. His solution? Local compliance with state affordable housing mandates. But those mandates are weak & gamed. For example, Beverly Hills' allocation was 3 units. 3/8
Third, he blames high housing prices solely on increased demand, noting the influx of high-paid tech workers. But he then denies the need now to boost housing supply to meet that demand. Unless you're going to ban companies from LA, the region needs to build more homes. 4/8
Fourth, he argues that boosting supply to meet demand would have no effect on stabilizing or reducing prices, citing downtown LA out of context of the regional, massive housing undersupply in LA. Examples from Tokyo to Seattle show the opposite, as does Econ 101. 5/8
Fifth, he blames gentrification on new development, a tired claim contradicted by the data. And the data are clear: gentrification happens regardless of new development (i.e. Venice Beach & SF's Mission) and is caused by regional housing scarcity. 6/8
Finally, he blames high-income people for the spike in driving miles. It's true high-income people drive more than low-income people, but locating residents of ANY income near transit decreases VMT, it's just a greater bang for the buck with low-income housing. 7/8
Bottom line: the failure of LA's transit advocates to reckon with & tackle the region's land use dysfunction is part of why the city has its affordability, traffic and sprawl problems -- & why LA Metro's ridership numbers have plummeted. I hope Zane's views don't prevail. 8/8
