Values and Quality of Life
In the mid-2000s, residents of Hobbs, New Mexico were debating a proposal to implement comprehensive zoning. I was hired as a consultant to fight the proposed zoning ordinance. The article below was published in the local newspaper.
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Zoning advocates have claimed that zoning will improve our “quality of life”, but they have not told us what they mean by that term. They assume that we know and agree to its meaning.
“Quality of life” is a matter of individual values. Each of us has different goals and different aspirations, we seek different things in life. Some prefer a picnic in the park; others prefer dining in elegant restaurants. Some enjoy attending movies; others enjoy shopping. These preferences are based on an individual’s values.
In land use, our individual values determine the type of use we choose for our property, the style of architecture, etc. Under zoning, an individual’s values are to be sacrificed to the group. Under zoning, individuals are forced to obey the demands of the group.
Under zoning, all individuals are compelled to accept the “quality of life” dictated by zoning officials. If the Maddox Foundation and City Commissioners are truly concerned about improving our quality of life, they should be protecting our freedom, including our property rights. They should allow the free market to raise the standard of living, by prohibiting arbitrary restrictions of land use. Instead, they seek to impose their values upon the citizens of Hobbs.
Zoning advocates have argued that zoning will protect Hobbs’ neighborhoods. But they have not told us how zoning will accomplish this. Nor have they explained why the desires of the non-owners of property are more important than the desires of the property owner.
It should be remembered that the purchase of property, including a home, is at least partially an investment. As with all investments, the actions of others can have an effect on the value of that investment, for better or for worse. Anyone who has tried to sell a house near neighbors with trashy front yards or unconventional paint colors knows the effect it has on his investment.
While it is natural that people want to protect their investment, a civilized person will do so by agreement and contract. An uncivilized person, who does not care about the difference between persuasion and coercion, might try to do so by force or government regulation. Those who seek to use zoning to protect the value of their investment are seeking to gain economic security in exchange for economic liberty. In the end they will have neither.
During the Trojan War, the ancient Greeks offered their enemies a large, wooden horse as a gift. The Trojans wheeled the horse into their gated city. During the night, while the Trojans slept, Greek soldiers crept from the horse, opened the city gates, and allowed their fellow soldiers to enter the city. What first appeared to be a gift resulted in the demise of the Trojans.
The flowers, trees, and other landscaping offered by the Maddox Foundation appear to be a gift. But that gift is as deceiving as the Trojan Horse, and as potentially destructive.