One of the things that gets slippery when the discussion turns to density — and, if it’s a good discussion, it ought to — is the meaning of “appropriate density” or similar phrases. There are very few people who say, “No density in Newton!” Rather, most people at least acknowledge that Newton ought to have some more multi-family housing, but hedge on where and of what type and where. “It needs to match the character of the neighborhood.”

I’d like to propose a simple test to determine whether or not you align as pro-density or not-so-pro-density: do you think that most, if not all, villages ought to have multiple 5-stories buildings.

Does that question capture the essence of the debate?