4 ms·

If however, I was given fair notice about 8-10 years before the rule/zoning change that the city had such intent, then I would make financial decisions appropri

If however, I was given fair notice about 8-10 years before the rule/zoning change that the city had such intent, then I would make financial decisions appropriately (i.e. not buy in that neighborhood, wait to build a duplex/triplex instead of an expensive single family that will be sandwiched in between two four story buildings, etc.). This just means that the people there who own who are trying to sell then think they get screwed by this announcement, even if it's actually going to change for a decade, especially if people like you won't buy because the change is pending. Announcing it a full decade out also provides a chance for, potentially, two other municipal administrations to do political machinations that undo the pending change before it takes effect. If these aren't actually worse situations, an announcement with a decade lead time doesn't necessarily make it better.

jpao79 9y ago
'Announcing it a full decade out also provides a chance for, potentially, two other municipal administrations to do political machinations that undo the pending change before it takes effect.' >> Agreed. I had not thought of that scenario (which is very likely)! Maybe that's even more reason to focus on the strategy of upzoning under-utilized industrial land to ultra high density residential instead of trying to up zone existing residential neighborhoods.
- nedwin 9y ago
  Sadly upzoning those areas still won't be enough housing. And some areas (like piers along the Embarcadero) the neighbourhoods like Telegraph Hill viciously oppose them too. I don't think the "neighbourhood character" test really holds much muster. Maybe if you bought one of the Painted Ladies, or are on a street that is 90%+ Victorians. Maybe. I live on 18th and there are few Victorians left. There are a lot of ugly 60's and 70's 2/3/4 story buildings. These could all be upzoned to 6-8 stories without having much of an effect on "neighbourhood character". My view is you don't buy a time capsule, you're buying a block of land in an evolving city. Things will change, they need to.

jpao79 9y ago

'Announcing it a full decade out also provides a chance for, potentially, two other municipal administrations to do political machinations that undo the pending change before it takes effect.' >> Agreed. I had not thought of that scenario (which is very likely)! Maybe that's even more reason to focus on the strategy of upzoning under-utilized industrial land to ultra high density residential instead of trying to up zone existing residential neighborhoods.

nedwin 9y ago
Sadly upzoning those areas still won't be enough housing. And some areas (like piers along the Embarcadero) the neighbourhoods like Telegraph Hill viciously oppose them too. I don't think the "neighbourhood character" test really holds much muster. Maybe if you bought one of the Painted Ladies, or are on a street that is 90%+ Victorians. Maybe. I live on 18th and there are few Victorians left. There are a lot of ugly 60's and 70's 2/3/4 story buildings. These could all be upzoned to 6-8 stories without having much of an effect on "neighbourhood character". My view is you don't buy a time capsule, you're buying a block of land in an evolving city. Things will change, they need to.