The opening of Ford’s new BlueOval City electric vehicle plant in West Tennessee is expected to bring a population boom to the region. In light of this, the Beacon Center, a Tennessee think tank, is urging local policymakers to reexamine their zoning laws. The Center’s report reveals that current zoning regulations in West Tennessee counties near the BlueOval City site are outdated and arbitrary, restricting housing options and potentially inflating costs.
The report highlights that single-family housing is broadly permitted in many counties, while options for more affordable housing like duplexes are limited. The Center warns that restrictive zoning could limit housing supply, drive up costs, and lead to sprawl into rural areas, increasing commute times and decreasing productivity.
Ron Shultis, Director of Policy and Research at the Beacon Center, emphasizes the importance of planning for growth to prevent current residents from being priced out of their homes. He points out that zoning laws play a significant role in determining where homes are built and that a lack of housing options can hinder wealth accumulation for families.
The report also reveals a wide variation in zoning laws among cities and counties in West Tennessee. While some areas allow for multifamily housing developments, others have almost completely banned anything other than single-family housing. The Beacon Center’s West Tennessee Zoning Atlas provides an interactive map for exploring current zoning regulations in the region.
As West Tennessee prepares for a population influx, the Beacon Center’s call for a reevaluation of zoning laws serves as a reminder of the crucial role that housing policies play in shaping communities and ensuring affordability for residents.
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