It's a misnomer to call Arlington's zoning changes "missing middle." Legalizing multifamily homes where only single-family homes could be built before — but restricting the size of developments to existing homes — won't bring more housing for families. wapo.st/3z1TuQi

Legalizing more units on a lot while capping size is a way to convert single-family homes into condos or apartments, like rowhouses in D.C.

But existing homes in Arlington aren't super suitable for that. And the units that would result would be small — not "middle."

The bigger issue with "missing middle" — legalizing duplexes+ on single-family lots while restricting building size — is that it just doesn't work.

Minneapolis did this same thing (to enormous fanfare!) and so far it's led to under 100 units. bloom.bg/40druoM

Over this time Minneapolis did add units, but all the construction took the form of larger apartment or condo buildings. If this fundamentals aren't there for "missing middle" in Minneapolis, I don't see why it would work any better for Arlington. (Maybe I'm "missing" something.)

Arlington's "missing middle" upzoning is more restrictive than the Minneapolis example. Arlington set a cap of 58 "missing middle" structures per year over 5 years, with parking requirements. For context Minneapolis's 2019 upzoning has not yet produced 58 projects total

Maybe "missing middle" is not a misnomer to describe Arlington's situation. Instead "missing middle" might just be a dodge

Arlington's upzoning took years of debate plus an enormous amount of social and political capital, and it may not result in any change

My question for the crowd saying that this is huge win or even a small but important step... Are you sure?

Great illustration of the "missing middle" conundrum. If you convert a 2,400-square-foot single-family home into a triplex, you get three small apartments. Which might be great for Arlington or Toronto — if these get built — but it isn't middle

I've written my fair share of "missing middle" headlines, so if I'm pouring cold water on this idea I'm looking beyond just Arlington and thinking about my role, too.

"Missing middle" is a potent political framework that deserves more scrutiny. bloom.bg/3u2xwrf