Overriding local zoning to allow multi-family units in suburban neighborhoods in VA

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain exactly what the fuss is? If zoning restrictions are loosened you can still live in a neighborhood is SFH - you and your neighbors just have to pay for it. Probably more, since it will be market rate. Do people really think that developers are going to put apartment buildings on 6000 sq ft lots? I could see how it would be more of an issue in further suburbs where lots are larger. FWIW I live in Arlington and I don’t think it would be the worst thing in the world if I lived next to a duplex...

This would allow your nextdoor neighbor to change the dynamics, not just the developers. So, you just purchase a house in a SF neighborhood on a small lot--less than .25 acre. A couple of neighbors decide to expand to duplexes. Parking? Infrastructure? etc. Would you be happy? Remember, when you purchased, it was zoned SF.

My comment is not directed to changing dynamics of a neighborhood or corresponding home values. Rather, it has to do with the infrastructure per se (e.g., water, gas, sewer, etc.). I'm wondering if the mains designed to serve a residential subdivision of SFHs are designed to handle increased loads if those lots starting holding duplexes, triplexes, etc. Perhaps the infrastructure is limiting factor -- or at least a deterrent to upzoning in some areas/neighborhoods?

Would you have similar concerns if a family of 8 people moved into the one-unit dwelling next door to you?

Where is there a "concern"?

A valid question was asked.

OK. Would you ask the same question if a family of 8 people moved into the one-unit dwelling next door to you?

NP. You’re missing the point. The PP is asking about whether something like an existing gas line under a residential street can handle 2x or 3x as many connections if the neighborhood is “upzoned.”

What's the difference between more people because of duplexes and more people because of bigger households/families? Wouldn't it come out the same for water and sewer, etc.?

I'm in favor of Duplexes but this question bugs me. The whole point of duplexes is to fit more people, so saying it comes out the same as SFHs doesn't cut it.

[Anonymous]

The whole point of duplexes is to have more units. More units would probably mean more people, overall. But that wouldn't necessarily be true in any given case. For example, a duplex might have 3 people (2 people in one unit, 1 person in the other unit), whereas a one-unit house might have 5 people.

[Anonymous]

This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

Most duplexes seem to have 2 bathrooms, maybe 3 max. So that’s 4-6 on a property v new builds w 5.5? I have yet to see a real reason why this is potentially problematic. A bunch of wealthy liberals don’t want to admit they are afraid to live near the poors (or marginally poorer), sothey are arguing they are only thinking of the good of the infrastructure?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

Most duplexes seem to have 2 bathrooms, maybe 3 max. So that’s 4-6 on a property v new builds w 5.5? I have yet to see a real reason why this is potentially problematic. A bunch of wealthy liberals don’t want to admit they are afraid to live near the poors (or marginally poorer), sothey are arguing they are only thinking of the good of the infrastructure?

I support the concept of upzoning, and I think the infrastructure capacity questions are valid. Stop assuming the worst in people you don’t know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

I like to think the best of people, but it's difficult to believe that opposition to duplexes by right, from people who live in the one-unit detached houses they own, is based on sincere concern that the neighborhood might not have adequate sewer capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

I like to think the best of people, but it's difficult to believe that opposition to duplexes by right, from people who live in the one-unit detached houses they own, is based on sincere concern that the neighborhood might not have adequate sewer capacity.

You really don’t realize the concept of infrastructure encompasses more than sewers? Thankfully the legislators do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

I like to think the best of people, but it's difficult to believe that opposition to duplexes by right, from people who live in the one-unit detached houses they own, is based on sincere concern that the neighborhood might not have adequate sewer capacity.

You really don’t realize the concept of infrastructure encompasses more than sewers? Thankfully the legislators do.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

Most duplexes seem to have 2 bathrooms, maybe 3 max. So that’s 4-6 on a property v new builds w 5.5? I have yet to see a real reason why this is potentially problematic. A bunch of wealthy liberals don’t want to admit they are afraid to live near the poors (or marginally poorer), sothey are arguing they are only thinking of the good of the infrastructure?

I support the concept of upzoning, and I think the infrastructure capacity questions are valid. Stop assuming the worst in people you don’t know.

I live in Arlington. North of 50. I’m not assuming the worse - unfortunately I’m surrounded by it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

I like to think the best of people, but it's difficult to believe that opposition to duplexes by right, from people who live in the one-unit detached houses they own, is based on sincere concern that the neighborhood might not have adequate sewer capacity.

You really don’t realize the concept of infrastructure encompasses more than sewers? Thankfully the legislators do.

Sewers were what was mentioned. If there are other "infrastructure" concerns about duplexes by right, please explain.

Keeping in mind that "How will it affect my ability to store my car on the public street?" is not an infrastructure concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

I like to think the best of people, but it's difficult to believe that opposition to duplexes by right, from people who live in the one-unit detached houses they own, is based on sincere concern that the neighborhood might not have adequate sewer capacity.

You really don’t realize the concept of infrastructure encompasses more than sewers? Thankfully the legislators do.

Sewers were what was mentioned. If there are other "infrastructure" concerns about duplexes by right, please explain.

Keeping in mind that "How will it affect my ability to store my car on the public street?" is not an infrastructure concern.

People obviously have schools in mind. At least if they are in VA or have kids or plan to have them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

I like to think the best of people, but it's difficult to believe that opposition to duplexes by right, from people who live in the one-unit detached houses they own, is based on sincere concern that the neighborhood might not have adequate sewer capacity.

You really don’t realize the concept of infrastructure encompasses more than sewers? Thankfully the legislators do.

Sewers were what was mentioned. If there are other "infrastructure" concerns about duplexes by right, please explain.

Keeping in mind that "How will it affect my ability to store my car on the public street?" is not an infrastructure concern.

water mains, wastewater drains, sewer systems, gas lines, electrical lines (especially if they're already underground), and roadways -- to name a few.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does not need to be decided at the state level. At the local level, changes go before the communities involved. Sometimes there are good reasons that people may have.

Yeah, but there aren't good reasons in this case.

The possible lack of adequate infrastructure is a very good reason to oppose rezoning.

I like to think the best of people, but it's difficult to believe that opposition to duplexes by right, from people who live in the one-unit detached houses they own, is based on sincere concern that the neighborhood might not have adequate sewer capacity.

You really don’t realize the concept of infrastructure encompasses more than sewers? Thankfully the legislators do.

Sewers were what was mentioned. If there are other "infrastructure" concerns about duplexes by right, please explain.

Keeping in mind that "How will it affect my ability to store my car on the public street?" is not an infrastructure concern.

water mains, wastewater drains, sewer systems, gas lines, electrical lines (especially if they're already underground), and roadways -- to name a few.

You're worried that the water mains and gas lines don't have enough capacity for a mixed duplex-uniplex neighborhood vs. an all uniplex neighborhood?