The DMV needs a YIMBY revolution

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Did you look at the property records to see if your neighborhood has any covenants. You might have standing to sue them, stop construction, potentially get compensation for damages, if they are violating the covenants.

One of the neighbors checked and there are no covenants except for one restricting the home purchase to those of the Caucasian race with no Negroes, Syrians, or Persians allowed. As long as they allow those people to rent, I guess they aren't violating the covenants.

It’s the YIMBY dream. White libertarians biking to coffee shop to converse with other white folks about how unfortunate the POC are that were gentrified out the the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Did you look at the property records to see if your neighborhood has any covenants. You might have standing to sue them, stop construction, potentially get compensation for damages, if they are violating the covenants.

Lawyer up, file once they have signed their contracts with the subs and begun substantial work. You might eventually lose but you can make it hurt for a while.

Is there a fund we could use to pay for the lawyer? We were told if we lost a lawsuit, we would have to pay for the builder's lawyer too.

Only if it’s frivolous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Did you look at the property records to see if your neighborhood has any covenants. You might have standing to sue them, stop construction, potentially get compensation for damages, if they are violating the covenants.

Lawyer up, file once they have signed their contracts with the subs and begun substantial work. You might eventually lose but you can make it hurt for a while.

Is there a fund we could use to pay for the lawyer? We were told if we lost a lawsuit, we would have to pay for the builder's lawyer too.

Only if it’s frivolous.

Which it would be based on:

“Lawyer up, file once they have signed their contracts with the subs and begun substantial work. You might eventually lose but you can make it hurt for a while.”

The courts do not exist to be a tool to harass other people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Did you look at the property records to see if your neighborhood has any covenants. You might have standing to sue them, stop construction, potentially get compensation for damages, if they are violating the covenants.

Lawyer up, file once they have signed their contracts with the subs and begun substantial work. You might eventually lose but you can make it hurt for a while.

Is there a fund we could use to pay for the lawyer? We were told if we lost a lawsuit, we would have to pay for the builder's lawyer too.

Only if it’s frivolous.

Which it would be based on:

“Lawyer up, file once they have signed their contracts with the subs and begun substantial work. You might eventually lose but you can make it hurt for a while.”

The courts do not exist to be a tool to harass other people.

That’s terrible logic. As long as you have a valid claim (which your attorney would advise you on), the rest is irrelevant. No rights, no remedy. Are you going to win?

Maybe not, but how will the court award the defendant damages in the form of legal fees? You have the right to take legal action against the government.

https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/pamela-karlan-supreme-court-rights-legal-remedies/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Where is this, and who is the builder?

Who was the agent?

It is on the 3800 block of 14th St. off Quincy St. I'd rather not say the builder but there is a big sign out front. I don't think there is an agent because they are rentals.

Well that doesn’t much help in boycotting them, but I’m sure that it’s easy enough to find out.

I did the work for you - Spring Street Development. https://www.springstreetdev.com/

I don't know why the other poster is protecting the identity of the builder. You're seeing this a lot actually with MM - developers who specialize in SFH are speculating by newly entering the MFH market. And they're all rentals (even some of the 3-plexes), which goes against one of the goals of MM in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Did you look at the property records to see if your neighborhood has any covenants. You might have standing to sue them, stop construction, potentially get compensation for damages, if they are violating the covenants.

Lawyer up, file once they have signed their contracts with the subs and begun substantial work. You might eventually lose but you can make it hurt for a while.

Is there a fund we could use to pay for the lawyer? We were told if we lost a lawsuit, we would have to pay for the builder's lawyer too.

I would do a comprehensive title search for the past 100 years. There are covenants that were added this property title as early as 1929. This might prevent a developer from building a multifamily unit. Developers don't necessarily do a hundred year title search; they will try to get it built and pretend that they aren't violating the neighbors property.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Where is this, and who is the builder?

Who was the agent?

It is on the 3800 block of 14th St. off Quincy St. I'd rather not say the builder but there is a big sign out front. I don't think there is an agent because they are rentals.

Well that doesn’t much help in boycotting them, but I’m sure that it’s easy enough to find out.

DP: What are you going to boycott? I am not a fan of Missing Middle or whatever Arlington is calling it now, but they approved the rezoning. Maybe join the group that is suing to overturn the rezoning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Did you look at the property records to see if your neighborhood has any covenants. You might have standing to sue them, stop construction, potentially get compensation for damages, if they are violating the covenants.

Lawyer up, file once they have signed their contracts with the subs and begun substantial work. You might eventually lose but you can make it hurt for a while.

Is there a fund we could use to pay for the lawyer? We were told if we lost a lawsuit, we would have to pay for the builder's lawyer too.

I would do a comprehensive title search for the past 100 years. There are covenants that were added this property title as early as 1929. This might prevent a developer from building a multifamily unit. Developers don't necessarily do a hundred year title search; they will try to get it built and pretend that they aren't violating the neighbors property.

We live in an Arlington neighborhood with a covenant that says only one dwelling unit can be built on a lot. Maybe there is a similar covenant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Where is this, and who is the builder?

Who was the agent?

It is on the 3800 block of 14th St. off Quincy St. I'd rather not say the builder but there is a big sign out front. I don't think there is an agent because they are rentals.

Well that doesn’t much help in boycotting them, but I’m sure that it’s easy enough to find out.

DP: What are you going to boycott? I am not a fan of Missing Middle or whatever Arlington is calling it now, but they approved the rezoning. Maybe join the group that is suing to overturn the rezoning.

I mean, one can definitely not financially support someone that supports something they don’t like. Other people that feel the same way can do the same if they know who the parties are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Where is this, and who is the builder?

Who was the agent?

It is on the 3800 block of 14th St. off Quincy St. I'd rather not say the builder but there is a big sign out front. I don't think there is an agent because they are rentals.

Well that doesn’t much help in boycotting them, but I’m sure that it’s easy enough to find out.

DP: What are you going to boycott? I am not a fan of Missing Middle or whatever Arlington is calling it now, but they approved the rezoning. Maybe join the group that is suing to overturn the rezoning.

I mean, one can definitely not financially support someone that supports something they don’t like. Other people that feel the same way can do the same if they know who the parties are.

Do you really think that by not financially supporting an Arlington County Board candidate they will lose the election? The fix is on MM and anyone who supports it will get elected or re-elected no matter what money you withhold. The Democrat candidates in Arlington are fungible: if one doesn't get elected another will and vote in the same policies.

How are you going to boycott the builder? Not rent one of the apartments in a MM plex? Not buy one of the MM townhouses? Plenty of other people will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Where is this, and who is the builder?

Who was the agent?

It is on the 3800 block of 14th St. off Quincy St. I'd rather not say the builder but there is a big sign out front. I don't think there is an agent because they are rentals.

Well that doesn’t much help in boycotting them, but I’m sure that it’s easy enough to find out.

DP: What are you going to boycott? I am not a fan of Missing Middle or whatever Arlington is calling it now, but they approved the rezoning. Maybe join the group that is suing to overturn the rezoning.

I mean, one can definitely not financially support someone that supports something they don’t like. Other people that feel the same way can do the same if they know who the parties are.

Do you really think that by not financially supporting an Arlington County Board candidate they will lose the election? The fix is on MM and anyone who supports it will get elected or re-elected no matter what money you withhold. The Democrat candidates in Arlington are fungible: if one doesn't get elected another will and vote in the same policies.

How are you going to boycott the builder? Not rent one of the apartments in a MM plex? Not buy one of the MM townhouses? Plenty of other people will.

The politicians are already paid for, you can’t do much there.

For example, though, and I doubt this qualifies as being nefarious or anything because she’s very public about it, but Liz Brent of Brent Realty is a vocal YIMBY and real estate agent.

So, I would never use her or any of her agents to buy or sell a home. Other people can feel free to do so if they support this kind of thing, but I am free to recommend that others not use her, either.

If developer or architect worked on a MM home, I would be sure to not use them. They put signs out front, it’s very easy to tell who the collaborators are. You have many choices for housing options and remodels, why use one that that supports something you disagree with?

It’s less about affecting change and more about the freedom to not undermine your own interests with your own money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, the old house is down and the new missing middle plex is going up on our street. When I objected to the builder, he shrugged and said that we had elected the county board who approved the missing middle housing. It's going to be rental and he is planning to rent the apartments to multiple groups because it will maximize returns. It can be potentially 16 adults in the building with parking for three cars. I hope the other 13 use bikes or scooters because there is little street parking.

Did you look at the property records to see if your neighborhood has any covenants. You might have standing to sue them, stop construction, potentially get compensation for damages, if they are violating the covenants.

Lawyer up, file once they have signed their contracts with the subs and begun substantial work. You might eventually lose but you can make it hurt for a while.

Is there a fund we could use to pay for the lawyer? We were told if we lost a lawsuit, we would have to pay for the builder's lawyer too.

I would do a comprehensive title search for the past 100 years. There are covenants that were added this property title as early as 1929. This might prevent a developer from building a multifamily unit. Developers don't necessarily do a hundred year title search; they will try to get it built and pretend that they aren't violating the neighbors property.

We live in an Arlington neighborhood with a covenant that says only one dwelling unit can be built on a lot. Maybe there is a similar covenant?

Google told me there are covenants on this property added in 1929 where this plex unit is being built. It does not provide details on whether this covenant includes a limit on the number of units. A title search on your neighbors property would be beneficial.

[Anonymous]

Sign up to make your thoughts known…the last session is virtual:

https://mcgmd.wufoo.com/forms/z1x6zubk1qub83c/

[Anonymous]

The Harvard Business Review takes an evidence-filled bat to nearly every single YIMBY talking point. Just a complete takedown:

https://hbr.org/2024/09/the-market-alone-cant-fix-the-u-s-housing-crisis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Harvard Business Review takes an evidence-filled bat to nearly every single YIMBY talking point. Just a complete takedown:

https://hbr.org/2024/09/the-market-alone-cant-fix-the-u-s-housing-crisis

The YIMBYs have been nearly totally silent about the rent fixing scandal, especially local elected officials and planners. When any of them has talked about it, they’ve claimed that zoning changes would make collusion impossible, but this article does a good job of explaining why that’s not the case. Housing policy much close to this article (including upzoning) would lead to a much healthier market than we have now. YIMBYs should be shouting this from the rooftops but instead they’re either ignoring it or pushing their usual lines on deregulation and tax cuts.