Recently, I read your article in the Cornell Review on the Town of Caroline’s zoning debate. You mentioned zoning is about personal control for our town’s residents. However, it is much more than just our autonomy. Zoning has a deep history of racism, segregation, classism, and preventing affordable housing for disadvantaged people. Let me share why we positioned those rural signs along the highway.
Despite suggestions by others, zoning is not affiliated with any political party. I am a life-long Democrat fighting a predominantly Democratic Town Board. There are many other Democrats and Republicans protesting zoning too. Simply put, we agree collectively, regardless of political ideology, that everyone should have a fair chance at a good life.
I am fortunate enough to have roots in the gorgeous town among exceptional people. The recent US census indicates a population of approximately 3,200 people. We are a diverse group of humans and cherish our individualism. No one should think of us as some monolithic group. Yet, our community, above all else, is tolerant and truly cares about each other. A rare find in the world today. We mind our own business but will help anyone at a moment’s notice. Zoning would change everything.
Zoning has a deep underbelly of promoting racism, segregation, classism, and preventing affordable housing. Any research on zoning will show you the horrific results. Take the time to read about its historical background and how it has discriminated against impoverished people since its inception. An article written just this Tuesday in the New York Times, “The Era of Shutting Others Out of New York Suburbs Is Ending” addressed the subject:
“These [New York’s suburbs’] zoning laws are among the most restrictive in the country. They severely limit the state’s housing supply, making the entire region less affordable. And they are rooted in Jim Crow.”
“The Fair Housing Act of 1968 made racial discrimination in housing illegal. But communities were still allowed to enact and maintain zoning laws that had the same effect.”
“Tighter zoning laws became associated nationally with increased racial segregation, as well as a diminished housing supply.”
“Ms. Hochul’s housing proposal takes political courage in New York, a Northern state, whose zoning laws largely escaped the reach of the civil rights movement.”
Unfortunately, a mostly elite group of Town of Caroline Board members thinks differently. And it may surprise you to learn our board includes professors and alumni from your Cornell community. Despite being intellectuals, they seem to lack the sensitivity or caring to appreciate or understand disadvantaged residents. The board members completely ignore the devastating consequences of the impact of zoning and the racial discrimination associated with it.
Although the board members talk about responsible zoning; there is no such thing. This is merely a way to distance themselves from the reality of what they are enacting. Something to make them feel better. A salve for their unprincipled souls. Whether it is in a city or a small rural community, the outcome is always the same. Impoverished people are hurt, and the community suffers.
The Town Board only initiated zoning to block a store placed near their homes that would have helped disadvantaged residents. This site was already a commercial district where other businesses are situated. The board has shown us their community decisions are based on pure selfish self-interests.
We will not continue to support a majority group of elite board members who live a privileged life with a rich salary, pensions, healthcare, and the luxury of homeownership and who fail to grasp how others live. In our little rural Town of Caroline, now is the time to play our small part to rectify our country’s disgraceful past. We must and will stand up to them.
Sandra Zwerger is a member of the Caroline community who opposes the town’s new zoning law. She is a part of Caroline Residents Against Zoning! a local organization.
