[quote=briansd1]….I think the residents of established areas are doing themselves a disservice because property values would generally go higher if “mansionization” were permitted.
A lot of people do things against their own interests because of they don’t want to feel “small” next to a “big” neighbor…..[/quote]
Part of the draw of the older areas, brian, is mature landscaping, walkability and convenience. A lot of that would have to be torn out to put up a “mcmansion” on the same-sized lot where a 2000 sf bungalow and “french door” detached garage sat for the last 85 years. If these residents wanted to look at a 4500 sf stucco mcmansion (instead of the years-ago-professionally-landscaped 2000+ Bungalow or Spanish that is currently sitting there), they would move to places like Stonebridge.
Urban residents’ opposition to new “mcmansions” is not about feeling “small” at all. It’s all about aesthetics, charm, tree shade, convenience and walkability, the very features that drew most of them there in the first place. A large sf addition is doable in these areas but it must look as if the home’s original facade and style have remained untouched or creatively and tastefully enhanced to match the rest of the neighborhood (for curb-appeal purposes). This is VERY difficult to do on a City lot if one needs to DOUBLE the size of the dwelling.
