In Cramped and Costly Bay Area, Cries to Build, Baby, Build

Post by gedy » Sat, Apr 16, 2016, 4:02 PM UTC

vasilipupkin wrote: post #6

hodwik wrote: post #2

I say this as a conservative: Building limits are systemically classist and racist. They maintain a geographical segregation system. If you want to fix the country then remove all limits, let developers develop whatever and whereever they deem there is demand. Remove occupancy laws where they're not about safety. Remove property line setbacks. End parking requirements. End requirements about private kitchens and bath…

There are permitting processes for a reason. So that we do not have an epidemic of shoddily built houses that fall down or burn down, etc. or, don't end up with a nuclear power plant in the middle of a quite residential street. Granted, some limits are too restrictive and should be removed and/or relaxed. Others should be kept and/or enhanced. Blanket removal of all limits is just as stupid as limits that are too res…

Post by mountaineer22 » Sat, Apr 16, 2016, 4:06 PM UTC

hodwik2 wrote: post #16

yardie wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Property tax comes after the fact. You move to a new area with kids now. You pay your property tax at the end of the year. But the kids need school right now and the district has to: find property to build a new school, raise bonds to fund it, build the damn thing, hire staff. A modern tract home can be built in as little as 2 weeks with modern prefab construction. Schools take much longer.

The students escaping the ghetto will still be getting a measurably better education on the strained suburban school than they will at the ghetto school they're currently stuck in.

Post by jly » Sat, Apr 16, 2016, 4:10 PM UTC

pj_mukh wrote: post #17

hodwik wrote: post #2

I say this as a conservative: Building limits are systemically classist and racist. They maintain a geographical segregation system. If you want to fix the country then remove all limits, let developers develop whatever and whereever they deem there is demand. Remove occupancy laws where they're not about safety. Remove property line setbacks. End parking requirements. End requirements about private kitchens and bath…

As a liberal, I agree. One problem, foreign money. It is mentioned in passing in the article but Vancouver (even with more sensible building laws) is still getting screwed because foreign money keeps pouring in.

Post by ec109685 » Sat, Apr 16, 2016, 4:11 PM UTC

mountaineer22 wrote: post #15

hodwik2 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People averse to low income and brown people moving to their nice little town will just weaponize those permit costs to block developers. By putting those infrastructure costs exclusively on the developer, you're basically taxing poverty, because those costs will all have to go on to the new poor residents. We already have an income tax system, it spreads the burden well. If the city needs more taxes to pay for infra…

"By putting those infrastructure costs exclusively on the developer, you're basically taxing poverty, because those costs will all have to go on to the new poor residents." Can you explain that? I don't understand..you lost me.

Post by seibelj » Sat, Apr 16, 2016, 4:18 PM UTC

mountaineer22 wrote: post #19

hodwik2 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>"If you want to change these laws, I suggest you get involved." I've been considering campaigning for Donald Trump. Given his background, I think he may be the most likely president to push for the sort of anti-Zoning laws I'm interested in. Perhaps you're right. >"Do you own real property?" Yes, I own a home in a wealthy suburb just outside of Philadelphia. I am well aware of the growing pains this would cause. But…

So, if I bought the house next door to you, and had 8 separate families live there (I would be charging them rent), you would be okay with that? Also, since garbage storage would be a problem, I told my tenants they can just toss their garbage bags over the fence into your yard, and you would take care of it. And since parking is now an issue with 15 additional cars, and friends visiting in their cars, I suggested th…