Latest federal WTF?

And here I’d thought that urban densification was the great new concept for saving energy, time, and the environment.  So how’s that supposed to square with the Federal Housing Administration’s upcoming lending rules for condominium properties?

All development not considered primarily residential are out. For instance, a development with more than 25% of the total floor area dedicated to commercial business use is out.

Meaning:  So much for most “new urbanist” mixed-use properties?

Noise issues is a new concern, so any development within 1,000 feet of a highway, freeway, or heavily travelled road, 3,000 feet of a railroad, 1 mile of an airport, or 5 miles of a military airfield will become ineligible for approval.

3,000 feet, eh?  Well, you can always drive to that new light rail line.

If the property has an “unobstructed view, or is located within 2000 feet of any facility handling or storing explosive or fire prone materials,” it is not insurable - we’re not talking just fireworks factories here.  A gas station 2 blocks away can disqualify this development.

So the gasoline station that’s on the other side of the soccer field will put me out?  Lovely!

As Chris Bradford notes, “these new regulations seem purposely designed to push new homeowners out of dense, urban areas to the suburbs.”  I guess at the FHA the word is now “new suburbanism.”

Via:  Chris Bradford, via Charles G. Hill

Posted by: Old Grouch in In Passing at 19:25:33 GMT | No Comments | Add Comment
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