Austinist: Kyle on Trial for Violations of Fair Housing Act

Benj

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:37:42 -0600

I think the city of Kyle is probably is deep trouble. Just look at some of the zoning ordinances in question: "Revised Zoning Ordinance 312-B: All residential properties must own and maintain an extensive Lawrence Welk record collection." "Revised Zoning Ordinance 404-C: All driveway basketball hoops must be no taller than 8 feet, 6 inches." I mean, how did they think they'd get away with this?

AC

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:15:56 -0600

Same effect. Minimum lot sizes force some buyers to buy more land than they want. Kyle is forcing some buyers to buy more house than they want. Either way, new homes become more expensive. Minimum-lot-size rules are more common than minimum-home-size rules, probably because they can be "justified" as a way to preserve open space and relieve congestion, which conceals their role as price supports.

brattpowered

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:00:24 -0600

Don't minimum lot sizes (which are written into zoning laws across the country) do the same thing as this? There are plenty of places in this country with 1-2 acre lot size requirements where 50x100 foot lots would be more affordable for minorities and everyone else.

LordEric

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:01:16 -0600

Any way you cut it the inherent effect is still one of discrimination. By knowingly requiring substantive cost increases in the base price of a home the law creates an exclusionary bubble around the community. Like a high cover at a club, it's designed to keep the "riff raff" out. When does America writ large begin to turn back to creating communities based around inclusion rather than exclusion?

LoudMouth

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:55:43 -0600

I think that would be a step in the right direction then, although I know nothing about it.

shilli

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:38:08 -0600

I think the idea is that the City of Kyle took affirmative steps that made minorities unable to afford to live there, whereas homes in Westlake would be unaffordable even if there was no zoning. That said, if Kyle is found to have violated the law, cities like Austin and Westlake might be in trouble and cities like Manor, Round Rock, Pflugerville and Jonestown with very similar zoning to Kyle almost certainly would be in trouble.

Jon

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:07:17 -0600

It seems ridiculous to require things like masonry and 480sqft garages. However, I can't afford a place in Westlake, no matter how small the house is. Why would this be any different?