Alexandria on the Cusp of Eliminating All SFH Zoning

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Well at least we can all agree on the fact that it’s not about the “missing middle.” Most folks could never afford Old Town.

Because there's only one Old Town. But we could have more places like Old Town.

You think we should have more historic districts?

Huh? Why would a place that is built to be like Old Town, but is not actually Old Town, be a historic district?

You said we should have more places like Old Town. Old Town is a historic district. Therefore, you said we should have more historic districts. If that’s not what you meant be more precise in your language next time. A problem with YIMBYism is that you just run around shouting cliches and do very little critical thinking about placemaking.

You know this logic doesn't track right?

You think there should be more politicians like Joe Biden. Joe Biden is an old white man. Therefore you think there should be more old white male politicians.
You think there should be more schools like TJ. TJ has a majority asian population. Therefore you think there should be more schools with majority asian populations.

Logical fallacy.

The Old Town poster thinks people want to live there and pay prices because it’s close to mass transit. Probably a reason for some. But probably not and ignores the fact that it a a one-of-kind historically significant neighborhood. That is the logical fallacy.

You think people specifically seek out Old Town because of its formal historically significant designation? As opposed to its location and housing style?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Well at least we can all agree on the fact that it’s not about the “missing middle.” Most folks could never afford Old Town.

Because there's only one Old Town. But we could have more places like Old Town.

You think we should have more historic districts?

Huh? Why would a place that is built to be like Old Town, but is not actually Old Town, be a historic district?

You said we should have more places like Old Town. Old Town is a historic district. Therefore, you said we should have more historic districts. If that’s not what you meant be more precise in your language next time. A problem with YIMBYism is that you just run around shouting cliches and do very little critical thinking about placemaking.

You know this logic doesn't track right?

You think there should be more politicians like Joe Biden. Joe Biden is an old white man. Therefore you think there should be more old white male politicians.
You think there should be more schools like TJ. TJ has a majority asian population. Therefore you think there should be more schools with majority asian populations.

Logical fallacy.

The Old Town poster thinks people want to live there and pay prices because it’s close to mass transit. Probably a reason for some. But probably not and ignores the fact that it a a one-of-kind historically significant neighborhood. That is the logical fallacy.

You think people specifically seek out Old Town because of its formal historically significant designation? As opposed to its location and housing style?


No, it being a historic district is just reflective of its unique housing styles and location. Something that is not replicable. And zoning laws are not what is preventing duplication of Old Town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The Old Town poster thinks people want to live there and pay prices because it’s close to mass transit. Probably a reason for some. But probably not and ignores the fact that it a a one-of-kind historically significant neighborhood. That is the logical fallacy.

I'm laughing at the idea that people want to live in Old Town due to its status as a designated historic district. Hyattstown, Maryland, also has a designated historic district, but I doubt there are many people saying, "Honey, I want to live in a designated historic district! Old Town would be nice, or how about Hyattstown?"

[Anonymous]

Something implied but not actually stated is that quality and aesthetics matter. The assumption behind most of the worry here is that developers will just throw up terrible buildings that will be out of character with the rest of the neighborhood, because that's what will be most profitable.

Fix that issue, and a lot of resistance disappears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

No, it being a historic district is just reflective of its unique housing styles and location. Something that is not replicable. And zoning laws are not what is preventing duplication of Old Town.

You can't duplicate Old Town, but you can replicate Old Town.

[Anonymous]

I thought historic districts were racist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought historic districts were racist?

You thought wrong.

Although it's true that people's motivations for asking for historic-district designation may be racist, and people's reasoning for deciding to designate an area as a historic district also may be racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No, it being a historic district is just reflective of its unique housing styles and location. Something that is not replicable. And zoning laws are not what is preventing duplication of Old Town.

You can't duplicate Old Town, but you can replicate Old Town.

Cost of building supplies alone makes this economically infeasible. But, you are right, horse hair plaster, real bricks, copper ceilings, gas lanterns, no closets, etc are replicable. Why do you think people pay Old Town prices to live in Old Town? Why do you think Old Town has the Scottish Walk and Washington Birthday Parade, yet One Loudoun does not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought historic districts were racist?

You thought wrong.

Although it's true that people's motivations for asking for historic-district designation may be racist, and people's reasoning for deciding to designate an area as a historic district also may be racist.

It's also racist if you don't want a historic district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No, it being a historic district is just reflective of its unique housing styles and location. Something that is not replicable. And zoning laws are not what is preventing duplication of Old Town.

You can't duplicate Old Town, but you can replicate Old Town.

Cost of building supplies alone makes this economically infeasible. But, you are right, horse hair plaster, real bricks, copper ceilings, gas lanterns, no closets, etc are replicable. Why do you think people pay Old Town prices to live in Old Town? Why do you think Old Town has the Scottish Walk and Washington Birthday Parade, yet One Loudoun does not?

People pay to live in Old Town because the houses have lath and plaster walls, not drywall? The major difference between Old Town and One Loudoun is lath and plaster walls, not drywall? Wow. Do the builders know about this? I see an opportunity for profit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No, it being a historic district is just reflective of its unique housing styles and location. Something that is not replicable. And zoning laws are not what is preventing duplication of Old Town.

You can't duplicate Old Town, but you can replicate Old Town.

Cost of building supplies alone makes this economically infeasible. But, you are right, horse hair plaster, real bricks, copper ceilings, gas lanterns, no closets, etc are replicable. Why do you think people pay Old Town prices to live in Old Town? Why do you think Old Town has the Scottish Walk and Washington Birthday Parade, yet One Loudoun does not?

You’re being deliberately obtuse. Just stop wasting everyones time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No, it being a historic district is just reflective of its unique housing styles and location. Something that is not replicable. And zoning laws are not what is preventing duplication of Old Town.

You can't duplicate Old Town, but you can replicate Old Town.

Cost of building supplies alone makes this economically infeasible. But, you are right, horse hair plaster, real bricks, copper ceilings, gas lanterns, no closets, etc are replicable. Why do you think people pay Old Town prices to live in Old Town? Why do you think Old Town has the Scottish Walk and Washington Birthday Parade, yet One Loudoun does not?

You’re being deliberately obtuse. Just stop wasting everyones time.

Right?? It is me being obtuse when a PP said ridding Alexandria of SFH zoning is great because Old Towns can just start popping up and is replicable. Refusing to even acknowledge Old Town is one-of-a-kind and scarce because it is historic. Zoning laws are not standing in the way of more Old Towns - time is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No, it being a historic district is just reflective of its unique housing styles and location. Something that is not replicable. And zoning laws are not what is preventing duplication of Old Town.

You can't duplicate Old Town, but you can replicate Old Town.

Cost of building supplies alone makes this economically infeasible. But, you are right, horse hair plaster, real bricks, copper ceilings, gas lanterns, no closets, etc are replicable. Why do you think people pay Old Town prices to live in Old Town? Why do you think Old Town has the Scottish Walk and Washington Birthday Parade, yet One Loudoun does not?

You’re being deliberately obtuse. Just stop wasting everyones time.

Right?? It is me being obtuse when a PP said ridding Alexandria of SFH zoning is great because Old Towns can just start popping up and is replicable. Refusing to even acknowledge Old Town is one-of-a-kind and scarce because it is historic. Zoning laws are not standing in the way of more Old Towns - time is.

DP. I disagree with the bolded. Can you explain why you think that?

[Anonymous]

Let’s talk vacancy rates, according to Yimbys Alexandria needs more housing. A very unscientific view of the map on apartments.com suggests 4000 available units, so why do we need more housing? Why does the City need to grow in residential population? The City should be focusing on businesses as that is the most effective, efficient way to grow the tax base when land availability is finite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I live on a street very near Braddock Road Metro that isn't zoned.

What street "very near" Braddock metro is not zoned? I live in the general area, and am wracking my brain. I know of the block on Commonwealth that isn't, but that isn't all that near the metro, and I never see people parking there to go to the metro.

There is zero chance someone would post that; otherwise people would start parking there. IYKYK.

Ha! So one pp was happy to brag about getting people towed for illegal parking but then everyone wants to keep legal parking a secret! But it’s just about the law, right? Nothing about being selfish and greedy?