Quote:
Originally posted by lurkette
My question was about fighting a rezoning from single-family housing to high-density housing. The land is currently zoned for single family housing. The developer wants to build condos and townhomes, which I'm afraid would be far less expensive than our houses and therefore bring down our property value. I'm afraid it's just as callous as that.
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Here's where we may part ways, Lurkette. High density housing -- townhomes, condos, and such -- are both more affordable and less wasteful of water and land. Which is a good thing in places where 1) housing prices have gotten so high that only the upper-middle class can afford to buy a conventional detached home, 2) land for additional homebuilding is scarce or expensive, or 3) water is in short supply (those big lawns, y'know).
I live in an area where all three factors apply. There was a real housing price hike about six years ago, and the most a working class family or civil servant could afford around here now -- and by "around here," I mean for at least 40 miles in any direction -- would be a condo. Capitalism's capitalism, but when a housing in a community is too expensive for the cops who police it or the teachers who teach it or the the mechanics and roofers who fix it or the cooks or waiters who feed it, then you've got a sick community. Higher-density housing is the answer.
If the development is truly bad, you should oppose it or make it better. But if there is a housing shortage in your community, I urge you to keep an open mind on behalf of hardworking people who live in your community and want to own their piece of it just as you do, but are less fortunate.