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Much Ado About Mansionization
s there a perpetual shadow "mansionization friendly." For
hovering over your house? example, Beverly Hills caps home
Do you feel as though you size at 15,000 square feet,
live in a Batman movie? You may restrictive only for those who
be the victim of a neighboring dream of adding the ever-popular
McMansion or a new development indoor football field.
trend called mansionization, the
housing industry's equivalent to Los Angeles allows a 7600 square
bigger portions and fast food. foot home on a 5000 square foot
lot. This isn't fuzzy math, and
These mansionizers—who are the city is not saying you should
frequently "spec" builders--buy re-position your neighbor's fence
small or dilapidated homes, raze in the middle of the night,
them and erect massive gaining a 2600 foot advantage for
structures, often resembling your new breakfast nook. You must
sterile apartment buildings. build towards the sun,
Except for meager set-backs, they potentially leaving your
swallow up the entire lot, dwarf neighbors in the dark.
their Liliputian neighbors and
invade the privacy of adjacent McMansions are perceived by some
yards with their second-story as the answer for a "Supersize
windows. It's sort of like Me," SUV society that subscribes
jamming five hotels onto "Baltic to the notion that bigger is
Avenue" and calling them a home. better and that all of ones
There simply isn't enough space extended family—regardless of
without impacting the "Community whether they are still
Chest" and monopolizing the other alive—must fit neatly into ones
players in the game. abode, even though there are an
average of only 2.5 inhabits per
Most U.S. building codes are property in the U.S.
are looking for homes at the
Proponents of these mini-castles time. Are they gourmets or
say they increase the value of gourmands? Do they welcome
neighboring homes, help with McMansions or are they afraid of
much-needed living accommodations monsters?
and are inevitable. As urban and
suburban space becomes scarce, The last argument by
McMansions will pop up in much McMansionites seems flawed. It is
the same way as "more compressed" unclear how a gargantuan property
Europe is dotted with row houses. accommodating two or three
inhabitants, as statistics
indicate, aids the
The average size of U.S. homes ever-increasing demand for
has grown over the past 45 years housing. Mansionization's
from 1,140 to 2,225 square feet, "contribution" seems more likely
according to a Harvard University to reinforce the image of America
study. The National Association as a land of over-consumption and
of Home Builders reports that 21 spotlight the gap between the
percent of houses built in 2004 rich and middle class.
equaled or exceeded 3000 square
feet. Outraged neighbors in California,
Connecticut, Illinois,
These statistics boost the Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
"inevitability" argument. The Maryland and Massachusetts
"increase in property values" convene with local officials to
assertion succeeds or fails discuss how to halt these stucco
depending on various factors, intruders, their goal being to
such as where ones house is implement moratoriums and
situated, the nature of the anti-mansionization ordinances.
community and what type of buyers
Their arguments typically hinge as Cher and Cameron Diaz employ
both on objective and subjective wardrobe aides and makeup
factors. In addition to problems artists.
associated with a loss of privacy
and sunlight, many seek to retain Do we want to forfeit
the character and architectural individuality, self-determination
tone of their neighborhoods. They and the freedom to do as we
argue that the "David and please with our single family
Goliath" disparities and lack of dwellings, all in exchange for
pleasing curves on many of these neighborhood uniformity? After
"architecturally challenged" all, architectural
monstrosities make their consistency—as well as Big
communities less aesthetically Brother—can be found in the
appealing. Criticism of the condo complex or gated community.
"boxy" look is all too common.. CC&Rs can impose fines on those
But what if some people--such as who paint their doors red, have
McMansion shoppers--cherish the garage sales or allow their
boxy look? over-eating poodle to breach the
"doggie weight limit."
Should government dictate taste,
ruling whether a structure is a Local government must resist the
fairy princess, a plain Jane or temptation to formulate
an ugly stepmother? Are Building aesthetically-based rules;
and Safety employees—usually however, this does not preclude
ex-contractors—experts on charm activist neighbors from
and color coordination? Will art boycotting certain builders and
school graduates have to take educating buyers about the merits
their place? New ordinances could associated with rejecting "trophy
force homeowners to hire "housing houses" comprised of cheesy
stylists," in much the same way materials. McMansion supply
hinges on McMansion demand. with local council members and
the stakeholders in the
Many builders construct quality community.
products with style, grace and
concern for residents of the In the end, it's not a matter of
area. They must be encouraged "much ado, " but a matter of much
while less considerate developers to do.
should be brought into dialogue
About the Author:
Charlotte Laws, Ph.D. is a member of the Greater Valley Glen Council, a Realtor and an author. Her real estate website is http://www.YourTopBroker.com For comments about this article, please go to http://charlottelaws.typepad.com ----- To see Charlotte Laws' proposal regarding mansionization in Los Angeles, go to http://www.CharlotteLaws.org
Source: www.isnare.com
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