If you really want to build a new house, what is the most ethical approach? (Pittsburgh: hardwood floor, apartments)

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by ML North

So it looks as though I cast the sole vote for "Build in the city, but only teardown a house already falling down."

I think the real ethical question is that which concerns the demolition of usable housing units. And to that point, I don't think it is economically or environmentally optimal to be destroying functional dwellings to satisfy architectural preferences when there is a reasonable supply of non-functional dwellings and vacant lots.

Of all the options, I would say I'm most opposed number 4 - "Let neighborhood decide. 50% of neighbors must approve plans." First, there are a variety of historic designations that can and should be used to protect properties for which there exists a general consensus that they are worthy of preservation. Perhaps these should be used more effectively or to a greater extent. Second, I think the problem of allowing "unfitting" newly-constructed homes in established city neighborhoods is one that would not frequently arise. The benefits of "McMansions"(hate this word) and neighborhoods comprised of "McMansions" are coupled such that it is difficult to obtain the desired benefits of owning such a home without it being located in a neighborhood of similar homes.

Given that the issue of unfitting homes would not frequently arise due to actual and/or perceived incompatibilities associated with "McMansions" and city neighborhoods, I think it would be unnecessary to require a majority approval to build. Considering that many neighborhoods are composed of similar homes, which are occupied by people of similar tastes, there would likely be an unfair bias that would prevent the (economically beneficial) construction of satisfactory homes based solely upon the prevalent architectural preferences.

Desirable city neighborhoods have developed over several decades without the obstruction of strict zoning laws. I think that continues to be a sound strategy for developing and maintaining economically viable and interesting neighborhoods.

Some good points in this post.

[I_Like_Spam]

I don't know what you mean by "ethical", I don't see ethics as coming into the equation here.

However, it isn't a very smart idea to build a McMansion in a community where it will be the most expensive house in the neighborhood.

You'll never get your money back out of it, if you build in Larimer or Penn Hills or the Rox and decide to move.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Velvet Jones

Oh, there are plenty of enemies of freedom everywhere. This is why there are HOAs and the TSA. Just do a search of "HOA" on this site and you'll find hundreds of people who just love their strict CC&Rs. To me these people are demented, and certainly not freedom loving American.

My advice to you is never live in a condo.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

I don't know what you mean by "ethical", I don't see ethics as coming into the equation here.

LOL yes I agree. There was a better word I wanted to use but I couldn't think of it. So finally I chose "ethical" since was close (even if it wasn't quite right). BTW the right word is still eluding me. Any ideas?

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Velvet Jones

Question to all of the "old homes are great" types. Did any of you actually ever own, or more importantly, work on an old home?

Yep, I did a ton of work on our last house, a Foursquare. It certainly had its quirks, but we still loved it.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Velvet Jones

Question to all of the "old homes are great" types. Did any of you actually ever own, or more importantly, work on an old home?

Lots of good points, but FWIW I think many of the regulars on this forum have worked on old homes quite a bit.

[PreservationPioneer]

Originally Posted by Velvet Jones

Question to all of the "old homes are great" types. Did any of you actually ever own, or more importantly, work on an old home? To me, most of these supposed old charm houses are death traps. Ever tear in to a house build before say, 1960? It is always fun to find layer upon layer of lead paint, live knob & tube wire with burn marks on the near by wood. Nothing like asbestos flooring and insulation. Oh, the good old days of construction. Also, unless you bought a true craftsman type of place, usually a mansion of the era, the build quality is usually garbage. I've seen houses with 2x6 floor joists, unsupported structures, studs nailed to floor boards, you name it. Not to mention plaster stuck right to exterior brick walls. Wonder why your gas bill is $900 in the winter? This is probably why. If you think Ryan or Maronda are bad, buy an old row house almost anywhere in the city.

I take offense to this post. I have a 1906 row-house and the build quality is excellent. It's an extremely solid house. For one thing, it's brick construction. For another thing, it's been standing for over 100 years in a primarily low-income neighborhood, and is still solid as a rock.

I think if I posted a poll on this board (and I will) about whether old houses or new houses have better construction, I think you would find the poll leaning in favor of the older homes!

It sounds to me like you were unfortunate enough to buy an old shack that had been heavily modified over the years, in various shortcut/ cheapo ways, and now have come to the conclusion that all old houses are that way.

[ML North]

I'd just like to add that the Federal Hill development project is a fine example of new construction in a historic city neighborhood. I think it has been rather successful, also, as everyone completed home has been sold.

Here's a picture of some of the new row houses.

http://www.ura.org/pdfs/showcase/federalHill.pdf

Here's a "before" shot from Google Streetview:

Federal Street Pittsburgh - Google Maps

Here are some more newly constructed row houses that are located on James Street, near Allegheny General.

October Development Upper James Street

Not to say that any new home should be row house, but these are a few examples that I think show that new constructions can work well in established neighborhoods.

[Velvet Jones]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

I take offense to this post. I have a 1906 row-house and the build quality is excellent. It's an extremely solid house. For one thing, it's brick construction. For another thing, it's been standing for over 100 years in a primarily low-income neighborhood, and is still solid as a rock.

I think if I posted a poll on this board (and I will) about whether old houses or new houses have better construction, I think you would find the poll leaning in favor of the older homes!

I'm sorry, but polls are not indicative of reality. The majority of Americans think the world is 6000 years old and people use to ride around on dinosaurs. Truth is old homes were built with hazardous materials, substandard wiring, and inadequate plumbing and insulation. Modern building codes exist for a reason, and 99% of older homes don't come even close to meeting them. I do not dispute that old homes are often aesthetically pleasing and sometimes downright neat, but in terms of safety, efficiency, and reliability they're mostly garbage.

[PreservationPioneer]

Originally Posted by Velvet Jones

Truth is old homes were built with hazardous materials, substandard wiring, and inadequate plumbing and insulation. Modern building codes exist for a reason, and 99% of older homes don't come even close to meeting them. I do not dispute that old homes are often esthetically pleasing and sometimes downright neat, but in terms of safety, efficiency, and reliability they're mostly garbage.

My house works perfectly fine, and has been for over 100 years, with that "substandard wiring, inadequate plumbing and insulation" you speak of.
My house is very safe, efficient, and reliable. It's basically maintenance free. I haven't had to fix anything mechanically on the house at all. The 1950s gas furnace works like a charm, the copper plumbing works beautifully, the electrical panel was converted to circuit breakers a very long time ago and it works great.