There are not enough affordable homes for all of the people who want to live in San Luis Obispo. At the same time, there seems to be a lot of empty commercial space. So why not just convert those empty storefronts to places where people can live?

The answer is so complicated that it's going to take more than one episode to explain it. This is the first conversation in a series about how public policy and public input affect how cities make housing decisions.

In this episode, I talk with Peter Brown, the director of Public Works for the City of Belmont, California, about the evolution of zoning laws.

This is more of a homework assignment than a typical action item. The goal is to learn about zoning so you'll be ready when it's action time.

Read the recent NYT article about this issue: "American Cities Have a Conversion Problem, and It’s Not Just Offices" (gift link).

Take a look at the zoning map and regulations for the City of SLO.

Learn about the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo (HASLO).

Episode produced by Jordan Triebel. Music by Wes Bisheff. Follow Agenda Breakdown on Instagram for updates and action opportunities. Subscribe to Agenda Breakdown on Spotify, Apple, or where you get your podcasts—and if you liked the show, please leave us a review!