In many American neighborhoods, it's illegal to build anything other than a single-family home on most lots zoned for residential properties. Take Sandy Springs for example: 85% of the Atlanta suburb's residential land allows for only detached, single-family homes. Some people want to change that, and regional leaders are passing laws to increase density. Others want things to stay exactly as they are: One family. One house. One yard.

On Second Thought host Virginia Prescott speaks with Emily Badger and Evelyn Andrews.

Emily Badger writes about cities and urban policy for The Upshot. She recently published a piece on the history and future of residential zoning in America and joined On Second Thought from NPR in Washington. Evelyn Andrews, who covers Sandy Springs for Reporter Newspapers, also joined the conversation.

 

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