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by shados 1912 days ago
You zone for what you want to build, not what is there already. The later wouldn't make any sense.

The arguments generally given are to show that we're preventing building for density, pointing out NIMBYism, etc, but even if we were doing the polar opposite, the same would be true:

If you have a town that's all single family, and zoning rules pass that any and all buildings MUST be 3+ stories, then all the existing houses wouldn't be allowed under current zoning laws. The fact that they're not allowed under current zoning rules is irrelevant. The question is only if the new zoning rules are good for what you want to see or not.
1 comments
zzapplezz 1912 days ago
Straw man - generally the idea of YIMBYism is to be more inclusionary, so that 3+ stories is allowed not required.

In contrast, SFH-only zoning is exclusionary.

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shados 1912 days ago
Even if you allowed skyscrapers, most existing houses and buildings would be illegal because of code. The map on this particular page mentions it only looks at zoning, so it's still very valid.

But my point is saying "X amount of homes would be illegal to build" is completely pointless and just meant to rile people up. OF COURSE most buildings are illegal to build today. We don't build like we use to for a variety of reasons. Even if you forget about building code, there's also rules around minimum amount of affordable units that older buildings didn't need to follow. Zoning is a specific one and yes, it's often problematic and regressive. Let's focus on that.

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zip1234 1912 days ago
The building code and fire code thing is not true. Building codes are actually very flexible. There are plenty of ways to build a building to look exactly like almost any old building and fully comply with all codes.
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shados 1911 days ago
Look like old buildings? Sure. But actually be the same? No. Hell, the building I live in is less than 12 years old and the electric panel is no longer to code, the HVAC condensate line is no longer to code, the damn stairs are no longer to code, the freagin dryer vent is no longer to code. They were all to code when they were built.
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tshaddox 1911 days ago
> But actually be the same? No.

Where are we taking this conversation now? Yes, it would be impossible to use the same physical piece of lumber in two houses at the same time.

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