So I'm reading a PlanPhilly article about a proposal to mandate half-baths on the ground level and front doors without steps for new residential units ("visitability," they call it), and while I don't think that it's a bright idea to begin with, this part struck me as particularly dumb, albeit very … [Read more...]
Weekend link megalist
This is probably my favorite link list yet...enjoy!1. The WSJ claims that delinquent homeowners can expect to stay in their homes after making their last mortgage payment – that is, they can live rent-free – for at least 16 months. The longer it takes for foreclosures to happen, the longer it … [Read more...]
LI Dems to councilman: oppose density so we can get reelected
Earlier today I was reading this article about "cupcake moms" at the local PTA mobilizing online against TOD in Huntington Station, a hamlet in Long Island, and while it looked like your average suburban NIMBY story, this part of the Long Island Press story jumped out at me: [Supervisor] Petrone … [Read more...]
Enlightened blogspam
I've always said that some day spammers are going to become so creative in their filler content that it actually becomes better than the median good-faith commenter. Well, that day has finally arrived!From some Romanians spamming for a Bucharest car rental service on two articles on rent … [Read more...]
A handful of tall buildings being allowed on Paris’ outskirts
I'm sure this is a copyright violation, but this blog isn't very big and hopefully the AFP will appreciate the free translation. There were so many interesting things in this article about Paris' first experiment in over 30 years with tall buildings, and American sources make the plan sound a lot … [Read more...]
Almost-Thanksgiving list
Unfortunately, none of these things are really things to be thankful for:1. 81% of Americans disagree with Kelo v. City of New London in a 2009 survey, with the wording being quite generous to the pro-takings side.2. Who possibly could have thought this was a good idea? It's like they took … [Read more...]
The mirage of revealed preferences
I often hear from libertarian-inclined defenders of the suburban status quo that the fact that American is so overwhelmingly suburban is proof that it's what Americans want. Economists call this "revealed preference," but it could also be understood as voting with your feet and wallet. People have … [Read more...]
NYC to raise on-street parking rates, local news freaks out
New York City has some of the most underpriced parking in the nation, and while there have been a few pilot programs (in the UES, the West Village, and Park Slope) to raise rates during peak hours, it looks like Bloomberg is finally pushing to implement Park Smart citywide. Residential metered … [Read more...]