Vancouver's City Council has approved an "EcoDensity" policy.How is EcoDensity different from regular density, which already comes pre-equipped with environmental benefits?Well, its just an environmental-sounding catch-prefix and comes with less bureaucracy for green … [Read more...]
Carroll Gardens, Choose Only One: Setback or Height Restriction?
NY Times - Carroll Gardens: The Big Front Yards That Rob the StreetsAlthough the yards serve as leafy margins to the streets, creating ample open space between the rows of brownstones arrayed on either side, they also put those streets into the “wide” category for zoning purposes. This means … [Read more...]
Over 200 Illegal Hotel Buildings in NYC
From AMNY: Report: 200 illegal hotels exist in the cityThere are more than 200 apartment buildings in the city that have been illegally converted to hotels, according to a report released Sunday, significantly reducing the number of rent-stabilized units available. ... Illegal hotel operators … [Read more...]
Rent Control Part 4: Conclusion and Solutions
Welcome to the final post in the series discussing the consequences of rent control. Thank you to the subscribers who have patiently awaited each new post. I hope everyone found it enlightening. If you haven't read the entire series, you can catch up with these links: Rent Control Part One: … [Read more...]
Watch as “Expediters” Become Scapegoats of Corruption and Incompetence
It's easier to look at the symptom: corruption, than treat the disease: government over-regulation:Chicago Tribune: Role of expediters under scrutiny as federal probe targets City Hall corruptionThe unsung and highly specialized role these private individuals play in the workings of city … [Read more...]
Bribery for Property Rights: Federal Charges in Chicago
NBC5 has an update listing the people involved and video here: New Corruption Charges Hit Building, Zoning DepartmentsChicago Tribune: U.S. to announce charges against 15 in city bribe-taking probe (thanks to Dan M. for the tip) Federal authorities are set to announce charges Thursday against … [Read more...]
Lower East Side Now “Endangered”?
photo by flickr user paytoncThe National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that New York City's Lower East Side, famous for it's history of tenements and slums, is one of 11 architectural, cultural, and natural heritage sites that are most at risk "for destruction or irreparable damage." … [Read more...]
A Recipe to Destroy Affordability in Any City.
Austin Contrarian discusses an article that describes how Seattle has become less affordable in recent years. He prescribes a recipe for Austin to become what he calls a "Superstar City" such as New York, Boston, San Francisco, or Seattle. By "Superstar City", I assume he means an ultra-hip place … [Read more...]