Making Commercial Zoning More Equitable

Planners throughout the country are increasingly focusing on the equity impacts of zoning decisions, but the conversation often focuses on better participation and fairer housing policies and regulations. But fairness in zoning also involves ensuring that the regulations do not have a disproportionate negative impact on the ways in which historically disadvantaged residents make a living. At a minimum, that means focusing commercial zoning regulations on the true land use impacts of different businesses and activities, rather than basing decisions on stereotypes about their desirability or image. This session will explore the ways in which commercial, non-residential, and home occupation regulations create additional barriers to equitable opportunities for BIPOC, lower income, and disadvantaged households, and how those barriers can be removed.