> But other cities, like Plano, Tex. — where more than 4,000 residents have mobilized to overturn similar plans — have taken steps backward. I take issue with

> But other cities, like Plano, Tex. — where more than 4,000 residents have mobilized to overturn similar plans — have taken steps backward. I take issue with this. I grew up in Plano, Texas. I loved it and I loved the people. This article is a negative comment about those people "taking steps backward", when they are really mobilizing themselves to take part in local politics and democratically help make the city how they want it to be. Is Plano perfect? No. But the people there do believe in being active in local government and in trying to make changes that the people in the community _want_. It's a special kind of place, and they care. They've done this again and again. > As a zoning official, I’m usually the last person to advocate for federal intrusion into local decision-making. But the problems of housing inequality and segregation are too big for localities to tackle piecemeal. That last excerpt is simply an emotional appeal "acknowledging" the author's supposed credentials of opposing big government---- while supporting it. But zoning laws are one of the most impactful things that a local government actually manages, and why shouldn't you be able to help shape your community, especially when we usually want people to participate _more_ in local politics, and zoning laws are one of the ways you can make a real difference in your community. But if you take away any really meaningful power that a local government has, why would anyone care at all to participate?