Local opposition to McMansions in suburban Seattle was prevalent long before arsonists burned down three luxury homes this week. But those opposed to so-called "rural cluster development" housing worry the criminal acts may work against their goals.
"It didn't take a note from arsonists to send a message to Snohomish County officials that people are unhappy with rural cluster developments."
"Those subdivisions -- which allow builders to cluster additional homes on large rural lots in exchange for leaving open space -- drew complaints soon after they began mushrooming two years ago."
"Residents have complained that the denser subdivisions, often of luxury homes, plopped in the middle of nowhere are out of character with their once-rural landscapes."
"The banner purportedly written by Earth Liberation Front activists who left the Street of Dreams in ashes Monday seemed to refer specifically to the county policy: 'McMansions + RCD's R not GREEN.'"
"But that attention isn't welcomed by residents who have worked within the system to try to persuade the county to change its policies, which are now under review."
FULL STORY: Many unhappy with cluster subdivisions
Zoning Changes Would Mean More Granny Flats and Fewer McMansions in Seattle
Is this a two-birds-with-one-stone situation?
Accessory Dwelling Units as Mansionization Control
One benefit of more accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be less mansionization of oversized single-family homes.
Seattle Seeks Crackdown on 'Megahomes'
Amid complaints of over-sized houses, officials in Seattle are considering enacting tighter regulations on the size of single-family homes.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Research Shows More Roads = More Driving
A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.
EV Chargers Now Outnumber Gas Pumps by Nearly 50% in California
Fast chargers still lag behind amidst rapid growth.
Affordable Housing Renovations Halt Mid-Air Amidst DOGE Clawbacks
HUD may rescind over a billion dollars earmarked for green building upgrades.
Has Anyone at USDOT Read Donald Shoup?
USDOT employees, who are required to go back to the office, will receive free parking at the agency’s D.C. offices — flying in the face of a growing research body that calls for pricing parking at its real value.
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