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One funny note is that a similar thing happens all the time in Southern California for a totally different reason - building permit and tax regulations. In som
by ageitgey 8y ago
One funny note is that a similar thing happens all the time in Southern California for a totally different reason - building permit and tax regulations.
In some areas if you leave even the tiniest sliver of the facade (or any wall) in place, the project is considered a "remodel" instead of "new construction". This comes with much cheaper permits and possibly lower taxes.
It's not uncommon to walk past a building site that is entirely dirt except one poor little old wall being propped up desperately waiting for a new building to be constructed around it. I've seen tiny block buildings torn down except for one wall and rebuilt into ultra-trendy indoor/outdoor cafes that managed to hide that original wall somewhere in the new structure.
- andrewla 8y agoIn New York City this happens for similar reasons. Also in "Historic Districts" it is widespread for related reasons.
- vinceguidry 8y agoHaha, If I had a bone to pick with someone or wanted to threaten them I'd sneak in under the dead of night and remove the sliver. With a ransom note made of newpaper clipped type and everything.
- wahern 8y agoIf the regulatory environment is anything like in SF, it's less about cheaper permits and more about not getting into a years-long battle with the planning commission and NIMBYs. Many people simply give up. Realistically your only choices are to hack the system or don't touch the property. The only winning move is to not play the game.
- closeparen 8y agoPlanning has been making noise about cracking down on these “tantamount to demolition” projects. I wouldn’t expect the loophole to be particularly durable.
- wahern 8y agoThey have in SF, too. It's because of pressure by NIMBYs. But it's not like this loophole is new. The trick has been used for decades and it's almost standard operating procedure for low-budget "new" construction. It's a polite fiction that has persisted because planning commissions aren't oblivious to the problems. But they're beholden to the political power of NIMBYs. The hack operated as a safety value that gave commissions plausible deniability when NIMBYs bring their pitchforks and torches. Once its gone it'll push the cost of newer development further beyond the reach of small-time developers and homeowners, and there'll be even less of the so-called missing middle housing coming online. It'll hasten the trend to large, more upscale developments. That said, I'm dubious the loophole will go away anytime soon. The entire system would seize up and so I expect municipalities to keep deflecting as long as they can. I'm not defending the practice. But such absurdities are inevitable when communities push for policies completely at odds with economic realities.
- greglindahl 8y agoI was wondering why there's a building site in downtown Palo Alto that's a dirt lot with a single short wall held up by a lot of props!