|
HOME COLUMBIA IN THE NEWS TAKE ACTION RESOURCES ATLANTA AUSTIN EXAMPLES |
OPINIONS ON INFILL DEVELOPMENT Developer and Business Interests Attempt End Run On October 4, The State published an article outlining how developer and business interests are using the conservative members of City Council to pack land use planning boards with pro-business, pro-developer members. Read our opinion about this new tactic... Interim Plans Buys Some Time The Interim Plan adopted by City Council on September 19 will allow neighborhoods to opt in to a plan which offers a degree of relief from inappropriate infill development. LIMITS TO DEMOLITION: Specifically, an application to demolish or remove a structure more than 50 years old will be subject to review by the Design Development Review Commission (DDRC). In addition, public notice must be given 15 days prior to the review by posting a sign on the property. LIMITS UPON NEW CONSTRUCTION AND SUBDIVISIONS: Limits are placed on new construction and the subdivision of lots to help control inappropriate structures. These include taking into account the adjacent structures, corner lots, height, etc. Read the draft ordinance... This plan titled "AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE INTERIM MEASURES FOR COMMUNITY CHARACTER PROTECTION", gives neighborhoods the chance to opt in and get this level of protection for 2 years. But during this 2 year semi-moratorium, the city needs to pull together a task force to establish ongoing guidelines for city wide development. Growing Pains? New rules concerning demolitions, sub-divisions, and mini- mansions should be designed with all of Columbia's neighborhoods in mind, not just historic ones. Commentary by Tige Watts, president of the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods. Published September 7, 2007 in the Columbia Star "On Wednesday, September 5, Columbia City Council held a public hearing where they will consider recommendations that are designed to protect structures in historically-sensitive neighborhoods as well as rules that affect the demolition, sub-division of real estate lots, and the size and height of homes." Read the opinion from The Columbia Star... The State Misses Some Points Unfortunately, the article in The State covering the interim "compromise plan" presented by Chris Dorsey and Robert Lewis at the Tuesday, August 21 missed a couple of key points. We try to clarify. Read our response... Read the original commentary from The State... City needs clear rules to protect old homes, structures An Editorial in The State Newspaper, Thu, Aug. 30, 2007 "COLUMBIA CITY Council has wisely agreed to consider new development rules to protect historic homes and structures as well as preserve the character of older communities. "It's important for the city to have adequate rules that not only preserve older structures and communities, but also give developers a clear understanding of what they can do with property they own or intend to purchase and develop. "While the council pledges to review development rules, neighborhood leaders understandably are concerned about their communities being left unprotected in the meantime. Their request for temporary protections is a reasonable one." Read more from The State... A Personal Opinion on Inappropriate Infill Development "I have been watching the progress of the infill development going on for the past couple of years in the older neighborhoods of Columbia. I just shook my head at the ridiculous lengths that these upstart developers will go to to squeeze an outsized house into a middle class neighborhood." Read more... CORRESPONDENCE TO THE INFILL EMAIL LIST The Infill Email List At the August 9, 2007 City Council Meeting, a sign up sheet for interested persons was made available. There has been some traffic on the list. Here are some highlights and lowlights... OPINIONS FROM OTHER AREAS AIA Housing Awards 2006 Review ArchitectureWeek "In the wake of a century in which in U.S. residential architecture suffered from suburban sprawl, wastefulness, the popularity of extravagant but barren "MacMansions," and indifference to history, urban context, and affordability, it is refreshing to see a collection of projects that offer positive object lessons for architects and homebuilders." Read more... Intown "McMansions" The Atlanta Journal-Constitution OpinionTalk Blog on the topic: Do McMansions hurt the property values of nearby homes? Read more... Or for a world view, just Google MacMansions or McMansions. To show we're fair and balanced even if we don't agree, here's a viewpoint in favor of "monster homes" as infill development: "They make good infill - and they make good economic sense. Monster houses are easy to hate. Their critics say they promote sprawl and exclusivity. They give them unflattering labels like McMansions and Starter Castles. We are not among those critics. We believe that monster houses, used as infill housing, represent an enormous investment opportunity for many older suburbs and that they can ultimately result in less sprawl." Read more from the American Planning Association web site... |