Fusion Urban Planning and Economic Development

Originally posted 11/02/06 on PersonPlaceorThing.blogspot.com

I plan to join the Fusion Urban Planning and Economic Development Committee. Yesterday I emailed the person in charge of the committee and asked about the next meeting and was told I could attend this upcoming Tuesday.

I look forward to this meeting and working with the committee as there seems to be some bright minds involved. I read in the Telegraph Journal today that the committee supports an urban plan that might mirror that of councilors Chase and Hooton.

I hope that the plan is responsible and responsive. While there is at least one architect on the committee and likely other like-minded people, hopefully I can add my voice in a constructive way.

I have three major concerns related to the standards being discussed (that are often quickly defined as being more than a ban on vinyl siding).

1. Slums
When a landlord of a run down building decides to improve her building (voluntarily or with help from legislative prompting) the focuses should be on bringing the building up to code and making it appealing for the committee it serves. If these renovation jobs have the extra burden of expensive facades and window treatments added, the projects might become too expensive for the current owners, who stand to lose if they have to sell a building deemed a slum. Also, a time of flux occurs when he building changes hands before a new owner can put these touches on a building. This could lead to buildings that do not get repaired.

A vinyl sided building is better than a dilapidated building in my view.

2. New Builders
If the rules have ambiguity or just a lot of hoops new developers will focus on areas where the rules don't apply or have their projects delayed to a point where market conditions change and they are not able to succeed in developing in the effected areas.

3. NIMBYs
These rules and attitudes encourage neighbours in fighting projects that they don't like. If building character is tightly defined, new concepts for buildings will not be able to succeed because neighbours can use the rules a weapon against progressive developers.