Reply to Say NO to Bowser on changing building height limits

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I honestly don't think taller buildings are necessary. What needs to happen is increased density in close-in neighborhoods. My neighborhood is zoned R-20, as are many very desirable parts of DC that are close to public transport and walkable amenities.

What does R-20 stipulate? It requires that homes remain single family; they cannot be subdivided into separately titled units. Similar zoning code types can be found throughout the city. The same issue plagues inner MoCo areas like Bethesda and Chevy Chase, where there is high demand for housing but NIMBY'ist zoning policies prevent the subdivision of lots or building multi-unit apartment-style housing (even if high end).

Before we build skyscrapers, I suggested the Council further explore the expansion and sub-division of existing plats.

[/quote]

1. I agree that a real build out analysis needs to reflect possible upzonings

2. But  it needs to be politically realistic.  "We will build mid rises in every neighborhood that is currently detached SFHs"  is not politically realistic.

3.  Raising the height act does not necessarily mean skyscrapers.

4.  Each new building that is built AT the current height limit is a lost opportunity. [/quote]

Yes, obviously I am not advocating for mid-rises throughout R-20 neighborhoods like Georgetown, Glover Park, AU Park, etc.

The rowhouse next door to mine (we share a wall) is in the process of being flipped. The developer is building a gigantic rectangular box of "luxury" that he will sell for $2.3 million at the max height and lot coverage for my neighborhood (35' high, 3 above-ground stories). The problem? It's one damn unit and he's not allowed to sell it as 3 condos. I'd rather see three $900K condos in that prime corner lot in my very desirable neighborhood.

Instead, he's maximizing profit under the current code and will probably sell to one of the law partner DINKs who inhabit the gigantic new houses in my 'hood. They don't even bother to fill the entire 6 bedroom house with furniture because there's just way more space than they need. There's a serious misallocation and under-utilization of badly needed housing square footage in many prime areas of DC due to a politically twisted zoning code.[/quote]

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