Comments on Don't be silent; speak up for a better zoning code - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by David C

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 22:30:13 EDT

The Office of Planning has found a way for young folks to move into neighborhoods they couldn't afford, bring their bikes and live in a back yard.

Bring bikes!??! Oh the horror! Because everyone knows that bikes lead to murder.

Karl, what you've described is freedom. Freedom to rent your property, freedom to open corner markets. Isn't freedom the opposite of social engineering?

Comment by David C

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 22:27:08 EDT

Voice isn't worth that much in a political system.
How many elections have you changed?

Elections? Hard to say. Policy...well, there's this.

Comment by Karl

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:18:14 EDT

@onelasttime

There is nothing in what is being proposed by the Office of Planning that is about "letting the chips fall as they may."

Comment by AWalkerInTheCity

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:10:21 EDT

"it's no coincidence that Houston has one of the most robust housing markets in the country"

Actually I think it is a coincidence.

They've had busts in the past when oil was weak - recently oil has been strong.

Comment by onelasttime

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 08:52:11 EDT

Houston also has an abundance of flat land with no natural barriers to development. I'm sure that Houston's other restrictions and codes are an impediment to density in places, but they don't make up for the lack of zoning - it's no coincidence that Houston has one of the most robust housing markets in the country.

@ Karl

I can't see how a lack of zoning or less restrictive zoning can be more "social engineering" than a strict zoning code. How is letting the chips fall as they may "social engineering"?

Comment by Karl

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 08:39:41 EDT

@Dan

You are correct -- what is being proposed is not an improvement. The Office of Planning has found a way for young folks to move into neighborhoods they couldn't afford, bring their bikes and live in a back yard. The Georgetown Current has a story on the front page about a long-term corner market that is causing a horrible rat infestation. It makes sense that some residents aren't interested in new corner stores.
What is being foisted on the residents of the city isn't zoning it's social engineering.

Comment by MLD

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 08:14:48 EDT

Houston may not have zoning, but they have tons of restrictions like parking minimums, setback requirements, distance between buildings, etc. that effectively act to produce the same effects as zoning.

@Michael,
No zoning is not an option at this point, and this plan makes those walkable options more viable in more places than the current zoning code.

Comment by Falls Church

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:27:47 EDT

@Michael

If you think no zoning is the best option, look no further than Houston. They're the only major city without zoning and it's not a coincidence that they are one of the least walkable and vibrant cities. Houston, while a successful city in its own right, is basically the exact opposite of the goals you mentioned.

Comment by Michael Hamilton

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:23:35 EDT

Voice isn't worth that much in a political system.

How many elections have you changed?

Comment by Dan Miller

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:22:57 EDT

@Michael, even if you're right, zoning is not going away anytime soon. In the interim, we should speak up for a zoning code that works better rather than one that works worse, and signing the petition will probably help with that.

Comment by Michael Hamilton

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:57:21 EDT

"Simply put, our zoning code written in 1958 is not befitting what a modern, dynamic city like DC, nor does it respect the form of our treasured historic neighborhoods."

Cognitive dissonance alert!

I'm not convince that our current zoning laws, or the ones that will emerge from this proposed process, are better than nothing.

Walkability, inclusiveness, vibrancy, etc, are all great goals, but does zoning contribute to any of those? It seems more like a cudgel used to prevent anyone from building at best, and enshrining rent-seeking into law at worst.