Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Need Zoning Law Expertise

[Philip Dowds (rphilipdowds]

Our topic here seems to be basic construction archetypes:
  •  Single family homes on single family lots: The American dream.  At least 
as far back as the Homestead Act of 1862, or even the Articles of Confederation.
  •  Apartment buildings:  Occupied by renters (I am guessing that’s in the 
definition of “apartment”).  Maybe crammed with non-English-speaking, 
non-citizen, financially stressed parents having many kids overloading the 
local school system?  Maybe?
  • Townhouses and row houses:  Low rise walk-up.  Each dwelling with its own 
front and back door, not accessed via a common corridor system.  More likely to 
be occupied by owners?  Tendency toward ENL owners?
  • Not actually mentioned, but perhaps centrally important:  Condominiums.  
They sometimes look like apartment buildings, but they are occupied mostly by 
resident owners (we think).  High rise?  Not the best choice for families with 
pets, kids, and financial flexibility?

I think it’s inevitable and inescapable that we all have speculations about how 
construction archetypes connect to various cultural and socio-economic 
attributes.  But my hope is that these speculations do not render us immune to 
evidence.

Thanks,
Philip Dowds
Cornerstone Village Cohousing
Cambridge, MA

mobile: 617.460.4549
email:   rpdowds [at] comcast.net

> On Mar 29, 2019, at 12:10 PM, Melanie Mindlin <sassetta [at] mind.net> wrote:
> 
> The new buzz word in housing around here is “the missing middle”.  Most 
> cities are lacking housing that falls between single family homes and 
> apartment complexes.  Single family homes promote sprawl and the new ones are 
> out of reach financially for many people.  Many neighborhoods and many people 
> don’t want to live in apartment complexes.  Providing the missing middle is a 
> big topic in Oregon and includes strategies such as duplexes to fourplexes, 
> conversion of single family homes into multiple units, accessory dwelling 
> units, cottage housing and more.  Maybe you can use this trend to support 
> your project.
> 
> Good luck,
> Melanie Mindlin