To Zone or Not to Zone

Among land-use planners, Houston, the only big city without zoning, is a handy punch line. Houstonians, in turn, tend to sound both defensive and Texas-proud when they say: we don't need no stinking zoning.

This article in the Houston Business Journal captures the neverending back-and-forth pretty well, including a planner's wily April Fool's Day prank. Also offers an interesting history of Houston's zoninglessness.