Austinist: Attacks on Density

ratz

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:00:03 -0600

I am extremely pro density, but Austin needs to enforce an "ugly tax" on some of these hiddeous projects going up. Especially condos built out of 2x4 and stucco construction.

SolMan

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:25:26 -0600

AC brings up some good points. We should be encouraging dense growth, not taxing it. But, I think it's the only viable approach at this time because of the two dominant political powers in this town: 1. Granola Mafia types who view all growth as a threat to their way of life. 2. The unholy alliance of ignorant bumpkins and clueless suburbanites who run the State Capitol. The Granola Mafia will demand some price for density. Their power is ignored at great peril. You HAVE to throw them a bone. And, any sensible growth management plan that makes sprawl more expensive than density would be quashed by the clowns in the Capitol. So, the key is to minimize the pain of the density bonus. I hope the council is able to strike that balance.

mdahmus

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:18:22 -0600

Tarvin, The growth-as-cancer analogy fits suburban sprawl far more than it fits density.

YoYoMa

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:40:19 -0600

Tarvin, I think you're missing the point. People want to move here and businesses want to move here. There will be growth until that is no longer true. While we are growing, isn't it better to encourage dense growth instead of sprawl?

Tarvin

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:10:57 -0600

Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell. Austin can't keep growing forever, whether densely or not. Where does it stop?

heyzeus

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:33:42 -0600

Actually, stomping on flowers is really therapeutic. You should try it sometime. Puppy kickers should be put to death, though.