If you think it's tough here....

No doubt that California faces many challenges that we can't even fathom here in Massachusetts. Needing to consider earthquakes and fires in building codes is just one set of problems. Yet now, their housing crisis has led to consideration of eliminating single-family zoning statewide. Consider that just for a minute...with this legislation (SB4), any single-family home could legally be converted into a fourplex.  The LA Times article also mentions Minneapolis, Charlotte, Seattle, and Portland having moved in this direction or considering it. However, as progressive and well-meaning as this type of proposal is, there could be huge repercussions or unintended consequences.

Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times

First of all, certainly there have to be limitations imposed by wastewater systems, correct? So only parcels where there is public sewer, a septic tank able to serve four units, or land with the ability to hold such a unit, could such a conversion occur. Water service is also an issue that interacts with wastewater and that must be a factor that guards the gate.

Second, what about parking? Will such parcels become a sea of asphalt in accommodating up to eight or more vehicles? More paved area means less impervious surface and more stormwater runoff.

Third, I can only wonder at the response of the mortgage banking, insurance, and other related markets at how this proposal might impact their industries. Now on one hand, why should sensitivity be had for industries that historically redlined neighborhoods and developed practices that promoted racial segregation? Yet much of our wealth building at the family level relates to home ownership, and any major shift could have a major impact on this key asset in a family portfolio.

Fourplex zoning isn't just saying you allowed one unit on a lot and we're merely changing the density from one to four. That is simplistic and not respectful of the range of criteria that should be considered at that density. Things such as common area, the complexities of condominium-ization that the parcels surely will have to undergo, solid waste container storage, school bus capacities, and much more. Many places, including eastern Massachusetts, are experiencing a housing crisis, but solutions need to be better formulated than this proposed legislation.

Here is the link to the article: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/livable-city/la-ol-sb50-single-family-20190424-story.html