I agree that the motivating issue at the very local level is probably less finances and more the impact of having more housing: aesthetics, parking impacts, noi

I agree that the motivating issue at the very local level is probably less finances and more the impact of having more housing: aesthetics, parking impacts, noise, increased crowding for local resources (parks/schools/libraries/etc), not wanting lower income people in your neighborhood*, etc. But it should be noted that while what you say about land is probably true, many landowners are also landlords, and it benefits them for the rent to be higher. * Yes, this one is real. I've even seen people here fully admit to it, though it makes you look rather classist and unreasonable, so most people aren't gonna say it out loud.