Study finds zoning regulations could be negatively affecting housing in West TN

JACKSON, Tenn. — It’s an issue many across the country are dealing with: A lack of housing.

Director of Policy and Research for Beacon Ron Shultis and his team have completed a zoning study on eight counties in West Tennessee. Following the addition of Blue Oval City, the largest single investment in the states history, the state says West Tennessee will need around 70 thousand new homes.

“Recent study by the Jackson Greater Chamber said the city and Madison County is going to need 3,500 new homes, single family homes, and over 1,500 multi-family units, so apartments,” said Shultis.

With the data proving West Tennessee is in desperate need of living spaces, what is stopping developers from building them? Shultis says through his research, he believes it to be the zoning regulations in place in certain counties.

“Essentially what zoning regulations are is they regulate the density and what you can do on your own private property. Nothing more, nothing less,” said Shultis.

Through his research he found that Madison County and the city of Jackson actually have fairly liberal zoning regulations and are far more accepting of multi-family units and accessory dwelling units, such as a mother in law suite. With 94% of zoned land allowing them.

However, other counties such as Haywood County are extremely restrictive.

“What we saw is that in some of those counties and cities is that, you know, multi-family is completely banned, duplexes are completely banned,” said Shultis.

Shultis says there’s a balancing act. For most people who own homes, their home is their biggest investment. For those who want their home to grow in value, the prospect of an apartment complex popping up next door is concerning.

However, the lack of living spaces prevent young people from owning property and stunting their accumulation of wealth.

“So that’s why we talk a lot about just a variety of options, from those granny flats or mother- in-law suites, to those town homes, duplexes. We just don’t typically allow for what is called that ‘missing middle’ type of housing enough typically,” said Shultis.

Shultis says there’s a need to spread awareness about these restrictive zoning regulations, which makes it difficult for people to get on the track of becoming homeowners.

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