Neighbors ask: "Why would Code Refresh destroy our homes?"
In Jackson Ward, the average home is 1,800 square feet. In Randolph and Westwood, 1,300 - 1,400 square feet. Maymont's average home is 1,100 - 1,500 square feet, and in Swansboro, 1,300 - 1,550 square feet.
Church Hill 's average homes span 1,500 - 2,500 square feet; Carver's, 1,600 - 1,660.The City Stadium neighborhood typically averages around 1,200 to 1,400 square feet.
Bellevue ranges between roughly 950 to 3,500 square feet.
Does Code Refresh intend to demolish average/smaller Richmond homes to build LARGER duplexes that fill these lots?
Does Code Refresh intend to destroy our existing small ownership opportunities for permanent rentals?
Today, renting a 1,500 sq ft apartment falls between $1,700 - $2,400+ per month.
If Code Refresh *really* cares about AFFORDABLE HOUSING (or the environment!) it would keep additional units small, 500-800 square feet, and focus on RETROFITS.
About 60% of Richmond's housing is rentals. Shouldn't Richmond protect home ownership opportunities so families can achieve home ownership to pass on to future generations?
86% of renters WANT TO OWN A HOME.
Demolishing homes to create permanent rentals keeps the next generation from building wealth, weighing them down with permanent leases. Single-family rental households in Richmond grew 31% over the last 20 years, outpacing owner-occupied homes.
We already allow second units on every lot with ADUs, don't forget. We know the first thing developers are going to do, including the non-profit "affordable housing" developers, is knock down existing cottages (don't forget many neighborhoods' average homes are about 1,500 ft.) to build footprints twice as large just with two units.
So the insults "green" and "affordable" YIMBYs hurl out as McMansionizing is actually what they intend to do: RentMcMansionize.
A new member added another layer of insight: by allowing duplexes, developers are tapping in to existing pipes without a mandatory infrastructure plan that would otherwise be required on new lots without infrastructure.
Is Code Refresh anti-ownership, anti-environmental?
It's certainly not following Richmond 300.