Austin needs a new housing paradime

[jwynne2000]

Originally Posted by capcat

I remember when zero lot lines was a topic in Austin. The 80's sounds about right. From what I remember of that, I'm surprised there is only the one area that you can think of, and I'm sure you know Austin well. I'd have thought there were more.

Some parts of Rattan Creek have zero lot line properties.

[hts]

It wasn't meant to be hostile. I guess I'm just getting a little bit tired of everyone moving to Austin, then figuring out that it's not exactly what they wanted (newsflash: no place is perfect) and not willing to do anything about it.

When I suggested Option #3 (become part of the solution), I wasn't suggesting you simply throw out an option you were hoping for, but rather, do the research (determine if zero lot lines are legally permissable) and then then buy some land, find a developer, and build the community that your heart so desires. Problem solved.

BTW, zero lot lines are quite prevalent in N. VA where I'm from. I personally hated them, but I'm sure they served a very worthwhile purpose.

Originally Posted by rangergrit

hts, why such a hostile response?

My post was your option 3.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by jwynne2000

Some parts of Rattan Creek have zero lot line properties.

Was Rattan Creek within the city limits at the time of construction or was/is it part of the North Austin MUD? Perhaps those folks had some good ideas and just had to sneak outside the city to build.

I drive through there frequently; but can't think of the properties you mention. Could you indicate an area or street, please? We actually looked around there when we decided to sell the large house and move to something smaller. I like that area quite a bit.

[scm53]

Park West at Circle C isn't zero lot lines, but it is garden homes on fairly small lots.

The reason there isn't much of that kind of development here, is that there has been limited demand. Land is cheap here, and the small lots have been more about ease of maintenance than about cost or density.

Now, we are concerned about density - mostly inside Austin proper. Problem is, that kind of development requires a clean sheet. You can't plop a zero lot line home into established neighborhoods. And there just is very little raw developable land in the areas where density needs to grow.

For all these reasons - demand, available land, and the low cost of land where it is developable - I just don't see this ever happening to any extent.

[jwynne2000]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Was Rattan Creek within the city limits at the time of construction or was/is it part of the North Austin MUD? Perhaps those folks had some good ideas and just had to sneak outside the city to build.

Most of it is still just outside of the city limits, under North Austin MUD #1.

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

I drive through there frequently; but can't think of the properties you mention. Could you indicate an area or street, please? We actually looked around there when we decided to sell the large house and move to something smaller. I like that area quite a bit.

There aren't a lot, but the area around Modena Trail, Margit Drive, and Grovedale Drive I know has some. I have a few friends that live over there. To be perfectly honest, I'm not really a fan of the zero lot line properties in this neighborhood. It does have the effect of moving the homes a little bit closer together, but not in any real meaningful or aesthetically desirable way. When you sit in the backyard of one of these properties, you still have a big yard, but one length of it is just the side of your neighbor's house.

PM me if you ever have any questions about the neighborhood. I'm on the neighborhood association board and have gotten pretty involved in the last few years. We love it here.

[RooCeleste]

At least some of the homes in Gardens of Milwood at Parmer/Melrose Trail are zero lot lines. My husband's previous house was.

[Eastcoasting]

Rowhouses!