> From what I can tell, the NIMBY-types in SF only have...aesthetic concerns?
They also often have economic concerns, to wit, that increasing the supply of housing will, ceteris paribus, reduce the market clearing cost, reducing the value of the housing that they own.
There are also quality of life concerns relating to expected effects of increased density on crime, on transportation and other infrastructure, and other things, as well. Those and aesthetic issues are more likely to be cited in public debate than the economic issue above, but I suspect for homeowners the economic issue is actually the overwhelming one.
A good friend of mine recently was able to purchase a home in the Bay Area (we're in our late 20's). It has been absolutely fascinating the last few months watching his views towards housing supply do a complete 180 from "We need to build more housing" to "If they can't afford it maybe living here isn't for them".
They also often have economic concerns, to wit, that increasing the supply of housing will, ceteris paribus, reduce the market clearing cost, reducing the value of the housing that they own.
There are also quality of life concerns relating to expected effects of increased density on crime, on transportation and other infrastructure, and other things, as well. Those and aesthetic issues are more likely to be cited in public debate than the economic issue above, but I suspect for homeowners the economic issue is actually the overwhelming one.