3 ms·

I'm assuming England? In the states, we don't have anything like this, but should. It seems like in the states government goes out of it's way to discourage c

I'm assuming England? In the states, we don't have anything like this, but should. It seems like in the states government goes out of it's way to discourage cheap housing. Gov. Neusome did a great job on ADU's, but you need a house to put the unit in, or around. What happened is wealth people realized they could remodel their home while putting in a small apartment. When begging for a variance for their bigger home, and guaranteed ADU thanks to Neusome, they promise to rent the ADU out to low income tenants. They get their variance, build a ADU, and turn the ADU into another room for themselfs. The wealthy are foxey. (I'm looking at you San Anselmo. I see you are now granting Variances, but they appear to be given out to favorite homeowners? I hope this is not what it appears. For years, my little town gladly took in a $1000 fee for a variance, but never ok'ed one.) adu=accessory dwelling unit variance=a piece of paper indicating you are breaking some zoning rule. wealthy people=foxey

carltheperson 5y ago
I live in Denmark
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
Brakenshire 5y ago
Allotments in England are different, more like an open field broken up into 50ft x 50ft squares specifically for hobbyist gardeners, and often you’re not allowed to have any buildings on them at all.
alistairSH 5y ago
OP lives in Denmark. I wish the US had something similar. Not so much for tiny-house living, but common community gardens. My town (Reston, VA) has a few and they're popular. But, depending on where your house is located, they could be a few miles away. I'm on the waitlist for the closest garden and it's about 1.5 miles and an easy bike ride. No sheds or buildings allowed, but the community provides water and compost. I tried veggies in my front and rear yards this season, but they just don't get enough light (tall house and a few mature trees). Herbs do well, but tomatoes and peppers need more sun - the fruit eventually, but quite late in the season.
- OldHand2018 5y ago
  Can you not create a new community garden? Your city/park district should have a process in place for doing so (who's land is it on?). Back when I lived in Chicago, they made it easy to create one. You were subjected to non-adversarial bureaucracy to make sure you were serious enough about creating something that would last for years and would actually be used by the community, but I had never heard of any denials and worked on two different ones in parks near my place.
  - alistairSH 5y ago
    Friends have tried to get them allowed on community property within their neighborhoods with zero success. The HOA bureaucracy doesn't allow it (not explicitly banned, but the HOAs appear incapable of doing anything new). As for parks, none with available space would be any closer than the one where I'm currently waitlisted. And I doubt any would allow any shed-like structures. Either way, I meant in a more general sense - I wish community gardens were more of "a thing" in the US, especially in cities.
prescriptivist 5y ago
In New England it is common to have a 2nd lake or country "home" called a "camp". Camps can be anywhere from a tar paper shack without electricity or running water and only an outhouse to a full on hunting lodge with satellite internet. They are often more of the former and are utilized in the warmer months and hunting season as they tend not to have insulation. Aside from owning an unimproved lot in the woods for this, in Maine it is common to have these camps on land leased from logging companies and those leases can be transferrable. It's also common for these camps (and corresponding leases) to be passed through generations. There is even a hospitality industry around renting basic no-frills shacks. These are called sporting camps and are abundant in the most remote northern parts of Maine. Having a camp is common across all economic demographics in Maine. https://downeast.com/history/going-up-to-camp/ https://downeast.com/history/going-up-to-camp/ https://bangordailynews.com/2021/03/12/special-sections/a-tradition-like-no-other-maine-sporting-camps/ https://bangordailynews.com/2021/03/12/special-sections/a-tr...
- ghaff 5y ago
  Many such places have been upgraded over the years as, especially waterfront, property prices have increased. But, yes, it's fairly common to have "camps" on islands and on the waterfront. As I understand it Maine is also fairly unusual in that you don't need a legal right of way to access a waterfront property. There are even still some fairly massive summer "cottages" in New England that are 2-3 season.
LightG 5y ago
England? No chance. The locals would be out with pitchforks and burning stakes after the first brick was placed. Your narrative is instructive, though. Thus has it always been so ...

carltheperson 5y ago

I live in Denmark

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

Brakenshire 5y ago

Allotments in England are different, more like an open field broken up into 50ft x 50ft squares specifically for hobbyist gardeners, and often you’re not allowed to have any buildings on them at all.

alistairSH 5y ago

OP lives in Denmark. I wish the US had something similar. Not so much for tiny-house living, but common community gardens. My town (Reston, VA) has a few and they're popular. But, depending on where your house is located, they could be a few miles away. I'm on the waitlist for the closest garden and it's about 1.5 miles and an easy bike ride. No sheds or buildings allowed, but the community provides water and compost. I tried veggies in my front and rear yards this season, but they just don't get enough light (tall house and a few mature trees). Herbs do well, but tomatoes and peppers need more sun - the fruit eventually, but quite late in the season.

OldHand2018 5y ago
Can you not create a new community garden? Your city/park district should have a process in place for doing so (who's land is it on?). Back when I lived in Chicago, they made it easy to create one. You were subjected to non-adversarial bureaucracy to make sure you were serious enough about creating something that would last for years and would actually be used by the community, but I had never heard of any denials and worked on two different ones in parks near my place.
- alistairSH 5y ago
  Friends have tried to get them allowed on community property within their neighborhoods with zero success. The HOA bureaucracy doesn't allow it (not explicitly banned, but the HOAs appear incapable of doing anything new). As for parks, none with available space would be any closer than the one where I'm currently waitlisted. And I doubt any would allow any shed-like structures. Either way, I meant in a more general sense - I wish community gardens were more of "a thing" in the US, especially in cities.

prescriptivist 5y ago

In New England it is common to have a 2nd lake or country "home" called a "camp". Camps can be anywhere from a tar paper shack without electricity or running water and only an outhouse to a full on hunting lodge with satellite internet. They are often more of the former and are utilized in the warmer months and hunting season as they tend not to have insulation. Aside from owning an unimproved lot in the woods for this, in Maine it is common to have these camps on land leased from logging companies and those leases can be transferrable. It's also common for these camps (and corresponding leases) to be passed through generations. There is even a hospitality industry around renting basic no-frills shacks. These are called sporting camps and are abundant in the most remote northern parts of Maine. Having a camp is common across all economic demographics in Maine. https://downeast.com/history/going-up-to-camp/ https://downeast.com/history/going-up-to-camp/ https://bangordailynews.com/2021/03/12/special-sections/a-tradition-like-no-other-maine-sporting-camps/ https://bangordailynews.com/2021/03/12/special-sections/a-tr...

ghaff 5y ago
Many such places have been upgraded over the years as, especially waterfront, property prices have increased. But, yes, it's fairly common to have "camps" on islands and on the waterfront. As I understand it Maine is also fairly unusual in that you don't need a legal right of way to access a waterfront property. There are even still some fairly massive summer "cottages" in New England that are 2-3 season.

LightG 5y ago

England? No chance. The locals would be out with pitchforks and burning stakes after the first brick was placed. Your narrative is instructive, though. Thus has it always been so ...