To the editor: I am disappointed by The Times’ support of high-density housing near transit stops as a way to solve the “affordable” housing crisis. Getting people out of their cars plus giving them affordable housing are two separate issues and should be treated as such. (“L.A. obviously needs dense housing along the Expo Line. Why isn't the city planning for it?” editorial, Nov. 9)
Why not
build affordable housing in neighborhoods where people actually live now rather
than where we want them to live?
Let’s continue allowing
granny flats and guest houses in neighborhoods that are not close to transit.
Let’s allow spot zoning in residential neighborhoods for duplexes, triplexes
and small-lot townhome developments — yes, with parking spaces.
A guest
house that can be rented offsets the high cost of a single-family home and may
put home purchases within reach for people of modest means. A guest house will
surely rent for much less than a fancy new apartment in, say, downtown Los
Angeles. Let’s
stop trying to cram more people into areas that were never meant for high
density in the first place.
I have a question about this - and I hope this does not come across as argumentative (I don't mean to be, but it's the internet and things sometimes come across that way!) - but it sounds like you're suggesting that housing should be built in places that people already live *and* which are not close to transit (AKA single-family zoned areas). It also sounds like you're suggesting that spot zoning is a way to achieve that (by allowing a duplex or triplex in a single-family zoned neighborhood, for example). But you also say "let's stop trying to cram more people into areas that were never meant for high density in the first place" which seems at odds with the earlier statements. I cannot imagine any scenario in which residents of a single-family zoned neighborhood would be pleased at the idea of a triplex or small-lot subdivision being built next door due to spot zoning. They would be burning down their local city hall if that occurred. I think most people agree that the LA area as a whole needs more housing. They just don't want it anywhere near them. And logically, doesn't it make sense to put higher-density housing in or near places that are already dense/built-up to begin with?
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