downzone

verb

down·​zone ˈdau̇n-ˌzōn 

downzoned; downzoning; downzones

transitive verb

: to reduce or limit development or the number of buildings permitted on

the county downzoned rural land to allow only one home per ten acres

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Scott McGovern, president of the Anneslie Community Association, said the neighborhood was happy with Marks’ proposal to downzone the stretch of York Road from Dumbarton to Overbrook Road. —Cody Boteler, baltimoresun.com, 3 Dec. 2019

Tuesday night, following its intention expressed at a June 18 study session, a majority of the Cupertino City Council appears poised to downzone the Vallco site in an attempt to render development there economically infeasible. —J.r. Fruen, The Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2019

So to block that, the City Council voted Monday to shift the land temporarily into the Pike Market historic district — which for the time being would effectively downzone it by 40-plus stories. —Danny Westneat, The Seattle Times, 15 Aug. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above