Comments on: Is 469 Luray Place A Sign of Things to Come

By: Howard

Howard — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:22:15 +0000

R.U. Seriousing Me?, regulating aesthetics is a social mine field no doubt but everyone agrees that this house is ugly and obviously wrong for this location. Not to mention that per sq foot it is raising the cost of the area. The old house that they chopped the bay window off of is now being listed for $567,720 and there is no reason to believe that the other new units will be any more affordable. So if your line of argument is that having no rules on building ugly buildings lowers costs and there for is a social good, you might just be wrong.

By: Lolly716

Lolly716 — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:24:58 +0000

A hot mess indeed. What can we do? Would more of us complaining to DCRA make a difference? I have mixed feelings about historic status, and we shouldn’t have to go to that extreme to protect our community from illegal development. But then I look at city hall, and I wonder if there is anything we as a community can do as long as corruption is tolerated (even reelected) in our city government.

By: R.U. Seriousing Me?

R.U. Seriousing Me? — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:21:31 +0000

This is going to sound sarcastic, but it is meant to be a serious question:

Why should the city regulate the aesthetics of a neighborhood? I know that doing so is the status quo, but why should we continue it? Calling it an “eye sore” is subjective. Saying it conflicts with the neighborhood character is accurate, but so what? Is there a cost-benefit analysis that shows that the benefits of preserving neighborhood character outweigh the costs?

I understand that this building may slow the rate at which your property values rise, but I think that creating more housing units in a great neighborhood is good for the city, good for the environment, and good for prospective homebuyers.

Until recently I lived in an apartment a couple of blocks south of this building, and when my family and I decided to buy our first home, we could not afford anything in the neighborhood. I worry that by placing such great importance on the character of a neighborhood, you don’t allow the housing market to adapt to the demand, which doesn’t necessarily want/need an entire single family lot everywhere there currently is one.

http://ruseriousingme.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-other-half-lives.html

By: K

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:53:29 +0000

Same thing is happening at 721-723 Morton Street where they are constructing that monstrosity which has only approval for ‘single’ dwellings each although they are clearly constructing multiple units (8+). DCRA has been notified and deemed their construction compliant. The are using unlicensed contractors out of a pick-up and I guarantee that they will apply for multiple units and get it once (if ever) this eyesore is completed.

By: lanisa

lanisa — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:32:01 +0000

Apparently this approach applies to residences and businesses alike. Many of the additions to Sweet Mango Cafe, for example, were seedily constructed and then later approved. Rumor has it that the owners of Sweet Mango are now illegally building an American restaurant/tavern directly adjacent to their existing business.

Around 10pm last night, I saw a man unloading huge saws and drill hammers through the back entrance on Rock Creek Church Road. I took the opportunity to follow him into the building and ask what he was doing. It is very clear that MAJOR construction work is going on inside but there isn’t a permit in sight.

How can businesses and investors get away with this stuff? Better still, how can neighbors fight harder to prevent these offences?

By: eb

eb — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:02:14 +0000

Concur, similar zoning cocerns at 527 Irving. The Developer went the “do it illegally, plead ignorance, and beg for fogiveness later” route when he built this 4 story giant.

By: nette

nette — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:58:36 +0000

I just think its terrible for the neighborhood too. I worry about a similar situation that could happen with the corner house at Warder and Manor PL. Could be prime real estate, especially with the driveway and garage.

By: Cliff

Cliff — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:30:24 +0000

Kent, you are right on the money with this one. Actually, similar situations have already occurred a few times, but this one is the grand prize. They took a house with a ton of character and created an eye sore. In 5 years these places are really going to be an eye sore because the only thing they’ve got going for them now is that they look new. However, I am wondering how much quality work is actually going into them. The orange one on Warder already looks like plywood or something is pealing off the front.