It's a "local" downside, but if you subscribe to the land tax idea, it's part of the process. These same people could just build "up" on their property, instead. But they want to cut grass.

FTA:

> The bigger immediate benefit, though, comes from reducing taxes on most [Detroit] residents. The city argues that 97% of homeowners will get a tax cut. Lower tax rates on improvements ought to encourage people to invest in properties