Missing Middle Housing and Zoning Reform with Jack Rowe
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Episode Overview
In this episode of The Land Development Podcast, Ryan sits down with Jack Rowe, a land development expert based in North Texas. Jack shares his path into the industry, starting with architecture school before discovering his passion for real estate development. He explains how his experiences in Barcelona and working with developers in McKinney shaped his understanding of placemaking and urban design.
The conversation dives into missing middle housing—a term used to describe the housing options between single-family homes and large apartment complexes. Jack breaks down why these types of housing are so rare today, how zoning laws have made them difficult to build, and why they could be key to solving housing affordability issues. He also discusses the need for zoning reform, highlighting examples of cities like Minneapolis and Portland that have taken steps toward allowing more diverse housing types.
Ryan and Jack also explore the importance of walkability in communities, explaining why wide streets and suburban zoning often create car-dependent neighborhoods. Jack argues that successful cities evolve over time, with policies that allow for incremental changes in density and land use. They discuss how policies like eliminating parking minimums could open up more opportunities for small developers and ultimately create more vibrant, livable spaces.