AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[Jdawgboy]

I've been hesitant to jump in this particular debate but I think now is the time. MichaelB has valid points which I think some here are misunderstanding. I used to be a very "anti-NIMBY" to find the most apt definition but over the last couple of years my position has evolved. I am pro density but at the same time I think there needs to be reasonable considerations on how new development is incorporated into existing neighborhoods such as scale and the fabric of the immediate area. Developers only consider their bottom dollar as well as how to maximize their profit with either little or no consideration about how their build affects their immediate neighbors. Also building bigger houses or building 3 to 6 two story condos on what was a single family lot doesn't do much to increase overall population density but it does affect property values for surrounding neighbors. Having two story "condo" houses built right up just feet from my back yard did play a part in how I feel about these types of developments, however my position began to change even before that when my best friend and her family were pushed out of the neighborhood and now live in an apartment off Slaughter east of I35 because they couldn't find anything affordable for them closer in. The challenge is increasing density which is affordable while finding the best way to become apart of the existing fabric (in other words don't build a wall of oversized residencies which loom over others back yards which is what Not In My Back Yard really means.) Yes people take it too far especially if it's something they are fighting against that would not have a direct impact on them or their neighborhood, but we shouldn't just assume that NIMBYism is simply anti-development and roll our eyes. There are times when it is legitimate. We were not opposed to new houses being built next door, but what was ultimately built was not what we were told would be built. The developer found multiple loopholes to push the boundaries of the city's current code policies which not only do not fit with the existing fabric of the immediate area but it's outright intrusive.