As indicated in the article cited above: http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/05/facebook_george_lucas_and_nimbyism_the_idiotic_rules_preventing

As indicated in the article cited above: http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/05/facebook_george_lucas_and_nimbyism_the_idiotic_rules_preventing_silicon_valley_from_building_the_houses_and_offices_we_need_to_power_american_innovation_.html http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/05/face... superficial explanation for the outrageously high housing prices in the Bay Area is that that there’s not much developable land, especially on the peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose. In fact, the major reason is the NIMBY (“not in my backyard”) I can attest to this rampant NIMBYism. Not too long ago in my grandparents' neighborhood, a small group of neighbors had the area rezoned so it could not be developed any further. Previously, it was mixed use, but now it could only be residential with small businesses such as nail salons. Also houses were now limited to two stories because they did not want their views blocked. Not surprisingly, the existing people with 3 or more story houses have seen their property values shoot up since those large houses can no longer be built there.