Alexandria on the Cusp of Eliminating All SFH Zoning

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to really relax about how a big a deal this is.

"Alexandria’s effort was less ambitious — at its most expansive, it allows for four-unit buildings rather than six-unit buildings — and it will affect fewer neighborhoods because much of the city is already zoned to include townhouses and tall apartment towers."
"The new policy is expected to lead to the redevelopment of about 66 properties and add 150 to 178 units over the next decade, according to estimates from Alexandria city planners."
"One- and two-unit buildings will be required to have at least one off-street parking spot and three- and four-unit buildings will be required to have at least two spots."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/29/alexandria-single-family-zoning-housing-vote/

The parking requirements go away within a 1/2 mile on transit, which is not just metro. That’s where a lot of properties will be developed.

Also, again, this is phase 1. Phase two will allow multi family housing in former SFZ to be built on a larger scale than the SFHs.

Wait a second- the builders can have fewer spaces but the street parking will still be zoned, right? Please God tell me Council just didn't invite all of Maryland to drive to Rosemont, park, and hop on the metro.

I live in Rosemont. People already do that. Parking enforcement is nonexistent. Construction companies even store their equipment and trucks on Russell and Commonwealth overnight and weekends. The city doesn’t care.

The city parking unit is severely understaffed and was previously also used for crosswalk guards. I believe TES is working to remediate this issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to really relax about how a big a deal this is.

"Alexandria’s effort was less ambitious — at its most expansive, it allows for four-unit buildings rather than six-unit buildings — and it will affect fewer neighborhoods because much of the city is already zoned to include townhouses and tall apartment towers."
"The new policy is expected to lead to the redevelopment of about 66 properties and add 150 to 178 units over the next decade, according to estimates from Alexandria city planners."
"One- and two-unit buildings will be required to have at least one off-street parking spot and three- and four-unit buildings will be required to have at least two spots."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/29/alexandria-single-family-zoning-housing-vote/

Then why do it at all? Argument cuts both ways.

Small impact/small benefit is just as with doing as big impact/big benefit

It just isn’t the breakthrough sea change moment that many YIMBYS think. Nor is it the sky is falling disaster that many NIMBYS think.

It will feel like a disaster to people who suddenly live next door to some ridiculous building towering over their house.

But, no, otherwise this will make no difference to prices or anything like that. Housing is expensive here not because of zoning laws or mean old NIMBYs, but because there is a huge number of very wealthy people who can pay.

A multi-unit building that is the same height as a single-unit building will not "tower over" the single-unit building because it is the same height as the single-unit building.

For now. It has the same height allowance for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to really relax about how a big a deal this is.

"Alexandria’s effort was less ambitious — at its most expansive, it allows for four-unit buildings rather than six-unit buildings — and it will affect fewer neighborhoods because much of the city is already zoned to include townhouses and tall apartment towers."
"The new policy is expected to lead to the redevelopment of about 66 properties and add 150 to 178 units over the next decade, according to estimates from Alexandria city planners."
"One- and two-unit buildings will be required to have at least one off-street parking spot and three- and four-unit buildings will be required to have at least two spots."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/29/alexandria-single-family-zoning-housing-vote/

The parking requirements go away within a 1/2 mile on transit, which is not just metro. That’s where a lot of properties will be developed.

Also, again, this is phase 1. Phase two will allow multi family housing in former SFZ to be built on a larger scale than the SFHs.

Wait a second- the builders can have fewer spaces but the street parking will still be zoned, right? Please God tell me Council just didn't invite all of Maryland to drive to Rosemont, park, and hop on the metro.

Yes, residential parking permits are not impacted by this proposal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to really relax about how a big a deal this is.

"Alexandria’s effort was less ambitious — at its most expansive, it allows for four-unit buildings rather than six-unit buildings — and it will affect fewer neighborhoods because much of the city is already zoned to include townhouses and tall apartment towers."
"The new policy is expected to lead to the redevelopment of about 66 properties and add 150 to 178 units over the next decade, according to estimates from Alexandria city planners."
"One- and two-unit buildings will be required to have at least one off-street parking spot and three- and four-unit buildings will be required to have at least two spots."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/29/alexandria-single-family-zoning-housing-vote/

The parking requirements go away within a 1/2 mile on transit, which is not just metro. That’s where a lot of properties will be developed.

Also, again, this is phase 1. Phase two will allow multi family housing in former SFZ to be built on a larger scale than the SFHs.

Wait a second- the builders can have fewer spaces but the street parking will still be zoned, right? Please God tell me Council just didn't invite all of Maryland to drive to Rosemont, park, and hop on the metro.

I live in Rosemont. People already do that. Parking enforcement is nonexistent. Construction companies even store their equipment and trucks on Russell and Commonwealth overnight and weekends. The city doesn’t care.

The city parking unit is severely understaffed and was previously also used for crosswalk guards. I believe TES is working to remediate this issue.

That may be true but I’ve lived in Rosemont 20 years. They have never enforced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to really relax about how a big a deal this is.

"Alexandria’s effort was less ambitious — at its most expansive, it allows for four-unit buildings rather than six-unit buildings — and it will affect fewer neighborhoods because much of the city is already zoned to include townhouses and tall apartment towers."
"The new policy is expected to lead to the redevelopment of about 66 properties and add 150 to 178 units over the next decade, according to estimates from Alexandria city planners."
"One- and two-unit buildings will be required to have at least one off-street parking spot and three- and four-unit buildings will be required to have at least two spots."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/29/alexandria-single-family-zoning-housing-vote/

Then why do it at all? Argument cuts both ways.

Small impact/small benefit is just as with doing as big impact/big benefit

It just isn’t the breakthrough sea change moment that many YIMBYS think. Nor is it the sky is falling disaster that many NIMBYS think.

It will feel like a disaster to people who suddenly live next door to some ridiculous building towering over their house.

But, no, otherwise this will make no difference to prices or anything like that. Housing is expensive here not because of zoning laws or mean old NIMBYs, but because there is a huge number of very wealthy people who can pay.

A multi-unit building that is the same height as a single-unit building will not "tower over" the single-unit building because it is the same height as the single-unit building.

For now. It has the same height allowance for now.

See how we are making up hypothetical things to be scared of (and presenting them like actual things that will happen to scare people)?

That's what you have to do to work people into a frenzy over something incredibly moderate and tempered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

See how we are making up hypothetical things to be scared of (and presenting them like actual things that will happen to scare people)?

That's what you have to do to work people into a frenzy over something incredibly moderate and tempered.

Eliminating SFH zoning is not moderate and tempered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to really relax about how a big a deal this is.

"Alexandria’s effort was less ambitious — at its most expansive, it allows for four-unit buildings rather than six-unit buildings — and it will affect fewer neighborhoods because much of the city is already zoned to include townhouses and tall apartment towers."
"The new policy is expected to lead to the redevelopment of about 66 properties and add 150 to 178 units over the next decade, according to estimates from Alexandria city planners."
"One- and two-unit buildings will be required to have at least one off-street parking spot and three- and four-unit buildings will be required to have at least two spots."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/29/alexandria-single-family-zoning-housing-vote/

The parking requirements go away within a 1/2 mile on transit, which is not just metro. That’s where a lot of properties will be developed.

Also, again, this is phase 1. Phase two will allow multi family housing in former SFZ to be built on a larger scale than the SFHs.

Wait a second- the builders can have fewer spaces but the street parking will still be zoned, right? Please God tell me Council just didn't invite all of Maryland to drive to Rosemont, park, and hop on the metro.

I live in Rosemont. People already do that. Parking enforcement is nonexistent. Construction companies even store their equipment and trucks on Russell and Commonwealth overnight and weekends. The city doesn’t care.

The city parking unit is severely understaffed and was previously also used for crosswalk guards. I believe TES is working to remediate this issue.

That may be true but I’ve lived in Rosemont 20 years. They have never enforced.

Outside of the center of Old Town, they only enforce if you put in a 311. Put one in every day (early), they will come out and mark. If only takes a minute to put it in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

See how we are making up hypothetical things to be scared of (and presenting them like actual things that will happen to scare people)?

That's what you have to do to work people into a frenzy over something incredibly moderate and tempered.

Eliminating SFH zoning is not moderate and tempered.

Not PP, but I'll stay away from subjective adjectives.

What happened will:
1. Still have required parking
2. Affect approximately 66 total properties
3. Result in around 150 new units over a ten year period
4. Have the same height and lot coverage restrictions as a SFH

Tell me how the sky is falling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

See how we are making up hypothetical things to be scared of (and presenting them like actual things that will happen to scare people)?

That's what you have to do to work people into a frenzy over something incredibly moderate and tempered.

Eliminating SFH zoning is not moderate and tempered.

Eliminating zoning that only permits single-unit detached houses and forbids all other housing types, you mean? Whether or not you think it's moderate and tempered, it's being done all over the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to really relax about how a big a deal this is.

"Alexandria’s effort was less ambitious — at its most expansive, it allows for four-unit buildings rather than six-unit buildings — and it will affect fewer neighborhoods because much of the city is already zoned to include townhouses and tall apartment towers."
"The new policy is expected to lead to the redevelopment of about 66 properties and add 150 to 178 units over the next decade, according to estimates from Alexandria city planners."
"One- and two-unit buildings will be required to have at least one off-street parking spot and three- and four-unit buildings will be required to have at least two spots."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/29/alexandria-single-family-zoning-housing-vote/

Then why do it at all? Argument cuts both ways.

Small impact/small benefit is just as with doing as big impact/big benefit

It just isn’t the breakthrough sea change moment that many YIMBYS think. Nor is it the sky is falling disaster that many NIMBYS think.

It will feel like a disaster to people who suddenly live next door to some ridiculous building towering over their house.

But, no, otherwise this will make no difference to prices or anything like that. Housing is expensive here not because of zoning laws or mean old NIMBYs, but because there is a huge number of very wealthy people who can pay.

A multi-unit building that is the same height as a single-unit building will not "tower over" the single-unit building because it is the same height as the single-unit building.

For now. It has the same height allowance for now.

Everything is for now. Things always change. Things would change even if there had been a unanimous NO vote last night. If you want things to always stay the same forever, you will be disappointed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to really relax about how a big a deal this is.

"Alexandria’s effort was less ambitious — at its most expansive, it allows for four-unit buildings rather than six-unit buildings — and it will affect fewer neighborhoods because much of the city is already zoned to include townhouses and tall apartment towers."
"The new policy is expected to lead to the redevelopment of about 66 properties and add 150 to 178 units over the next decade, according to estimates from Alexandria city planners."
"One- and two-unit buildings will be required to have at least one off-street parking spot and three- and four-unit buildings will be required to have at least two spots."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/29/alexandria-single-family-zoning-housing-vote/

Then why do it at all? Argument cuts both ways.

Small impact/small benefit is just as with doing as big impact/big benefit

It just isn’t the breakthrough sea change moment that many YIMBYS think. Nor is it the sky is falling disaster that many NIMBYS think.

It will feel like a disaster to people who suddenly live next door to some ridiculous building towering over their house.

But, no, otherwise this will make no difference to prices or anything like that. Housing is expensive here not because of zoning laws or mean old NIMBYs, but because there is a huge number of very wealthy people who can pay.

A multi-unit building that is the same height as a single-unit building will not "tower over" the single-unit building because it is the same height as the single-unit building.

For now. It has the same height allowance for now.

See how we are making up hypothetical things to be scared of (and presenting them like actual things that will happen to scare people)?

That's what you have to do to work people into a frenzy over something incredibly moderate and tempered.

You don’t get to have it both ways. You cannot tell people that these proposals are not rushed because they’ve been in the works for years, even though the actual text to the proposals only came out a few months before the vote, but now argue that we cannot consider things that are listed on the city’s website for future proposals, because they are only hypothetical.

Phase 2:
“Identify additional changes to the Zoning Ordinance to increase multi-unit dwelling development in single-family zones
Research the findings of local and state governments and housing analysts, who have been involved in the development of multi-unit dwelling options in single family zones. Focus on changes to the lot and bulk requirements, lot minimums, and height maximums that could lead to an increase in the development of new multi-unit dwellings.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

See how we are making up hypothetical things to be scared of (and presenting them like actual things that will happen to scare people)?

That's what you have to do to work people into a frenzy over something incredibly moderate and tempered.

Eliminating SFH zoning is not moderate and tempered.

Not PP, but I'll stay away from subjective adjectives.

What happened will:
1. Still have required parking
2. Affect approximately 66 total properties
3. Result in around 150 new units over a ten year period
4. Have the same height and lot coverage restrictions as a SFH

Tell me how the sky is falling?

#1 is wrong: No minimum parking requirements for dwellings up to four units within the enhanced transit area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

See how we are making up hypothetical things to be scared of (and presenting them like actual things that will happen to scare people)?

That's what you have to do to work people into a frenzy over something incredibly moderate and tempered.

Eliminating SFH zoning is not moderate and tempered.

Not PP, but I'll stay away from subjective adjectives.

What happened will:
1. Still have required parking
2. Affect approximately 66 total properties
3. Result in around 150 new units over a ten year period
4. Have the same height and lot coverage restrictions as a SFH

Tell me how the sky is falling?

#1 is wrong: No minimum parking requirements for dwellings up to four units within the enhanced transit area.

That isn't a change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to really relax about how a big a deal this is.

"Alexandria’s effort was less ambitious — at its most expansive, it allows for four-unit buildings rather than six-unit buildings — and it will affect fewer neighborhoods because much of the city is already zoned to include townhouses and tall apartment towers."
"The new policy is expected to lead to the redevelopment of about 66 properties and add 150 to 178 units over the next decade, according to estimates from Alexandria city planners."
"One- and two-unit buildings will be required to have at least one off-street parking spot and three- and four-unit buildings will be required to have at least two spots."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/29/alexandria-single-family-zoning-housing-vote/

The parking requirements go away within a 1/2 mile on transit, which is not just metro. That’s where a lot of properties will be developed.

Also, again, this is phase 1. Phase two will allow multi family housing in former SFZ to be built on a larger scale than the SFHs.

Wait a second- the builders can have fewer spaces but the street parking will still be zoned, right? Please God tell me Council just didn't invite all of Maryland to drive to Rosemont, park, and hop on the metro.

I live in Rosemont. People already do that. Parking enforcement is nonexistent. Construction companies even store their equipment and trucks on Russell and Commonwealth overnight and weekends. The city doesn’t care.

The city parking unit is severely understaffed and was previously also used for crosswalk guards. I believe TES is working to remediate this issue.

That may be true but I’ve lived in Rosemont 20 years. They have never enforced.

Outside of the center of Old Town, they only enforce if you put in a 311. Put one in every day (early), they will come out and mark. If only takes a minute to put it in.

Lets get together Rosemont and Del Ray and yell for some enforcement - especially Friday and Saturday nights (at least on the Del Ray end). The enforcement will pay for itself just ticketing the cars that are parked too close to stop signs at the ends of every block and it would also make the sight lines much safer for pedestrians and encourage better future behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to really relax about how a big a deal this is.

"Alexandria’s effort was less ambitious — at its most expansive, it allows for four-unit buildings rather than six-unit buildings — and it will affect fewer neighborhoods because much of the city is already zoned to include townhouses and tall apartment towers."
"The new policy is expected to lead to the redevelopment of about 66 properties and add 150 to 178 units over the next decade, according to estimates from Alexandria city planners."
"One- and two-unit buildings will be required to have at least one off-street parking spot and three- and four-unit buildings will be required to have at least two spots."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/29/alexandria-single-family-zoning-housing-vote/

The parking requirements go away within a 1/2 mile on transit, which is not just metro. That’s where a lot of properties will be developed.

Also, again, this is phase 1. Phase two will allow multi family housing in former SFZ to be built on a larger scale than the SFHs.

Wait a second- the builders can have fewer spaces but the street parking will still be zoned, right? Please God tell me Council just didn't invite all of Maryland to drive to Rosemont, park, and hop on the metro.

I live in Rosemont. People already do that. Parking enforcement is nonexistent. Construction companies even store their equipment and trucks on Russell and Commonwealth overnight and weekends. The city doesn’t care.

The city parking unit is severely understaffed and was previously also used for crosswalk guards. I believe TES is working to remediate this issue.

That may be true but I’ve lived in Rosemont 20 years. They have never enforced.

Outside of the center of Old Town, they only enforce if you put in a 311. Put one in every day (early), they will come out and mark. If only takes a minute to put it in.

Lets get together Rosemont and Del Ray and yell for some enforcement - especially Friday and Saturday nights (at least on the Del Ray end). The enforcement will pay for itself just ticketing the cars that are parked too close to stop signs at the ends of every block and it would also make the sight lines much safer for pedestrians and encourage better future behavior.

the city literally DOES NOT CARE. In Rosemont we repeatedly have issues with construction companies who park their gigantic trucks and trailers overnight and all weekend, often too close to the curb, and preventing any safe line of vision for other cars at intersections. These are huge trucks, they go way over the white parking lines. I've seen them park there at the end of the day, driver gets out and gets into another coworkers car, and leave. A bunch of us couldn't seem to figure out where they were coming from (some thought it was coming from the green house being constructed by Brooks), but someone realized they were from that on going telecom project from all over the city where they are digging up parts of the road to lay new cables. Right now there is a huge trailer park with orange round wires sticking out of it, completely detached from any vehicles. This has been going on for 2 months.

The city doesn't care.