3 ms·

> we don't build actual dense housing like we did before WWII Because that's not what is profitable for new construction. Builders will build what they can mak

> we don't build actual dense housing like we did before WWII Because that's not what is profitable for new construction. Builders will build what they can make the most money on. It's not a bad thing -- it's still an increase in housing and every new home sold or rented opens up an older home somewhere for a (probably) less wealthy person, and so on down the line.

asdff 6y ago
Builders will build what they are allowed to build, and often what is zoned are variances for these massive structures with expensive parking structures and requirements like a mandatory 100sqft balcony for every single unit, and not piecemeal small lot apartments like what was built decades ago. Los Angeles in 1920 had a higher zoning capacity than it does today. I mean, it was a celebration when the city recently let you convert your garage into a tiny studio apartment (after a byzantine permitting process), in neighborhoods where 50 years ago homeowners were tearing down their single family home to be a landlord of a 6 unit dingbat apartment spanning the entire 90ft parcel, which is probably illegal today according to the zoning code. If we loosen zoning code, builders would be able to turn a profit on a lot more types of housing and would be able to meet a lot more market demand. Instead, what they are able to make a profit on with the current review and permitting process is that bog standard 4 floor apartment above a subterranean parking lot with a balcony for each and every unit.
- Mountain_Skies 6y ago
  Banks are part of the problem too. In Atlanta the city has loosened up many of the density restrictions and parking requirements only to find developers unable to build dense pedestrian focused housing because the banks won't make construction loans for those types of properties.

3 ms·

> we don't build actual dense housing like we did before WWII Because that's not what is profitable for new construction. Builders will build what they can mak

by throwawayboise 6y ago

asdff 6y ago
Builders will build what they are allowed to build, and often what is zoned are variances for these massive structures with expensive parking structures and requirements like a mandatory 100sqft balcony for every single unit, and not piecemeal small lot apartments like what was built decades ago. Los Angeles in 1920 had a higher zoning capacity than it does today. I mean, it was a celebration when the city recently let you convert your garage into a tiny studio apartment (after a byzantine permitting process), in neighborhoods where 50 years ago homeowners were tearing down their single family home to be a landlord of a 6 unit dingbat apartment spanning the entire 90ft parcel, which is probably illegal today according to the zoning code. If we loosen zoning code, builders would be able to turn a profit on a lot more types of housing and would be able to meet a lot more market demand. Instead, what they are able to make a profit on with the current review and permitting process is that bog standard 4 floor apartment above a subterranean parking lot with a balcony for each and every unit.
- Mountain_Skies 6y ago
  Banks are part of the problem too. In Atlanta the city has loosened up many of the density restrictions and parking requirements only to find developers unable to build dense pedestrian focused housing because the banks won't make construction loans for those types of properties.