Better Zoning for Reuse and Redevelopment

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“The only thing constant is change.” We have all heard that for years and we know it to be true. Cities, towns, and counties are constantly evolving as demographic trends, global economic forces, market preferences, and the climate change. But we sometimes forget to reflect that reality in our zoning regulations. Far too often we draft as if neighborhoods and business centers will not change (or change much), and that a careful description of what we want to happen today will stand the test of time. Experience shows, however, that we will constantly be amending those ordinances to create the “breathing room” needed for reasonable reuse and redevelopment over time.

In An Even Better Way to Zone (Island Press 2025), I explore four key zoning changes needed in the 21^st century. The first three are substantive. We need to ensure that our zoning regulations help create (1) more affordable housing, (2) more sustainable and resilient development, and (3) fairer zoning outcomes for historically disadvantaged and vulnerable households. The fourth is overarching. We need to reorient zoning to focus on reuse of existing buildings and redevelopment of existing serviced land rather than initial development. This reorientation is synergistic with the three substantive goals listed above and would help solve a key problem for community governance.

This issue of Zoning Practice examines how zoning rules and procedures can better accommodate reuse and redevelopment. It begins by summarizing the case for reorienting zoning around previously developed sites before suggesting specific reform strategies that remove zoning barriers to common reuse and redevelopment projects.

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