Less restrictive

Originally posted 10/24/06 on PersonPlaceorThing.blogspot.com

I am encouraged to hear city councillors on the radio this morning and at noon explaining that their proposed regulations of building exteriors will not be as
restrictive as similar rules in Moncton and St. John’s, NL. Nor will they be as restrictive as Saint John’s current Heritage Preservation rules. This is good news because the heritage preservation rules are restrictive and help sustain a culture that shuns developments that don’t strictly adhere to narrow ascetic tastes.

Saint John city council should seek input from more than architects and history buffs in deciding about this building exteriors policy. Property value experts should be consulted to find out if neighbourhood property values are negatively impacted when a building with pealing paint is sided with “cheap” vinyl siding. Also, socialists and economists should give input to ensure that these rules don’t hurt the community and the poor and working poor living in these neighbourhoods.

Still, the city should put greater priority on getting building interiors livable than on getting building exteriors looking like a 1880’s painting.