StrongTowns
argues that, for many forms of development, the long-term infrastructure
maintenance costs outstrip property tax revenues, resulting in unsustainable
municipal finances for the later generations.
Low-density development creates the greatest financial shortfalls. Based on the StrongTowns theory, I contended that
the 93-home configuration proposed by Davidon Homes is a poor development
choice.
I further maintained
that the alternative development concepts of 66, 43, and 28 homes are even
worse. This is true despite the fact
that many in the general public consider the lower home counts to be potentially
laudable compromises. So the possibility
of compromise is leading us away from financial sustainability.
This
perspective leads to the question of what land use might be appropriate. The answer is that the home count must be
higher, much higher. To pick a number
that’s arbitrary, but is likely in a reasonable range, let’s say 200 homes.
I’m sure that
number will cause in spluttering all over Petaluma. But it shouldn’t. I’m not suggesting 200 homes of size and
scale proposed by Davidon, which are perhaps 3,500 square feet. The Red Barn site can’t possibly accommodate
that number of large homes.
Instead, I’m suggesting 200 much smaller homes, perhaps in the 1,200 square foot range. Furthermore, I’m not suggesting that the development be configured so each home has its own driveway and garage. It’s likely that long-term finances of that configuration would be only slightly better than the Davidon proposal. Instead, I’ll suggest a layout called a “pocket neighborhood”.
I’ve
previously written about pocket neighborhoods.
Last July, I offered a review of the book “Pocket Neighborhoods”
written by experienced pocket neighborhood architect Ross Chapin. A few weeks later, I wrote about a couple of
pocket neighborhoods that I visited in Seattle.
And then I wrote about another pair of pocket neighborhoods that I
visited across Lake Washington, in Redmond and Kirkland.
Looking at
existing pocket neighborhoods, one typically finds densities such as twelve
compact homes on a site that would have accommodated three single-family
homes. Or twenty-eight compact home
where six single-family homes would have fit.
So suggesting 200 pocket neighborhood homes on a site that might
accommodate up to 93 single-family homes is credible. Indeed, it may even be conservative.
A primary reason why a pocket neighborhood configuration offers an advantage over conventional development is that street access isn’t provided to all homes. Instead, for many of the homes, streets extend to shared garages, with short walks remaining to front doors. As a result, infrastructure needs are reduced and streets can be more easily aligned where topographic and environmental considerations demand.
I wish I had
the time and the team to do a pocket neighborhood layout on the Red Barn
site. Indeed, site design challenges like
those are among the tasks I love in civil engineering. But lacking the resources, I’ll limit myself
to a few thoughts about possible design elements.
I’d expect a
higher density of homes in the lower portions of the site, but safely away from
the creek. I’d hope that the site could
accommodate a core that would function as a local community center, perhaps
with a town square and limited retail elements, such as a small grocery, deli,
and café.
Many pocket
neighborhoods have shared structures for community meals and meetings. The red barn would nicely fill that need.
Although
ridership may not justify the route for years, I’d like to see provision for a
bus turnaround, giving Petaluma Transit the option to run service along D
Street between Red Barn and the SMART station.
I’d like to
see substantial bicycle parking, giving the Windsor residents an option to shop
or to catch a bus to town without taking their car from their garage, a benefit
as gasoline prices continue to rise.
Away from the
core, I’d expect to see garages located in suitable locations on the lower
slopes, from where compact homes and their minimal footprints would straggle up
the hillsides. Many of the garages would
be shared-wall single story structures.
But perhaps the site would also demand a larger parking structure or two
over which condominiums could be provided, further broadening the range of
housing options.
It’s true
that some homes may be at an extended distance from parking. A walking distance of 300 feet with a climb of
40 feet seems possible for the most far-flung homes. However, in a neighborhood adjoining the vast
walking opportunities of Helen Putnam Park, it’s likely that a few homeowners
would be eager to stretch their legs after a day of office duties and transit
commuting, especially if the reward was a panoramic view of the neighborhood and
the park from their front windows.
I think it
likely that this type of development will reduce the on-site environmental
impacts. However, at least until transit
became a reality, it’s also likely that traffic would be worse under this option. I don’t have a good solution to offer, except
to note that changing to new and more sustainable paradigms often results in temporary
inconveniences. Such is the nature of
change. (I live in a part of town where
many of my trips rely on D Street. I’d
be among the inconvenienced, but would happily accept the impact.)
How does
this site concept measure up against the StrongTowns measuring stick? For the reasons, I delineated in my last
post, it’s hard to get a complete handle on the municipal finance issues behind
the StrongTowns argument, other than a credible sense that the theory is true.
But it seems likely the 200-home pocket neighborhood concept would have a higher tax base than the 93-home Davidon proposal. Although the residential square footage would be less, small homes generally have a higher value per square foot.
And the infrastructure
maintenance costs would be less because less infrastructure would be required.
Whether StrongTowns
financial sustainability would be met is impossible to say, but it certainly
seems likely.
So where
does this dreaming about a series of pocket neighborhoods on the Red Barn site mean
with regard to the current Davidon proposal?
The only outcome for which I can reasonably wish is the no-development
alternative.
I’m not
arguing that the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) justifies that result. Indeed, I haven’t read enough of the DEIR to
have a legitimate opinion. Instead, I’m
arguing that development options within the DEIR are so flawed, for reasons
outside of the DEIR, that no development is the preferred result.
Please note
also that I’m not arguing that a 200-home development is the best decision. To make that argument would be to pre-judge
an EIR that may not be prepared for years.
Instead, I’m arguing that a 200-home plan should be the proposal that is
under study in an EIR and that the lower home count options now under study are
all unacceptable for our descendents.
Effectively,
what I’m arguing is that the General Plan is flawed and allows for
consideration of development options that ill-serve later generations. But that isn’t meant as a criticism of the
people who participated in preparation of the General Plan. The world has changed in the five years since
the General Plan was adopted. The recession
in particular has played a bright light on municipal finances. We should learn from that new knowledge, not
blindly follow a document whose time may have passed.
So, if the
Red Barn site remains vacant at this time, what do I think will happen over
time? Although incorporation into the
regional park is certainly a possibility, I suspect that the site will
eventually be developed for housing.
Petaluma has a fine location and climate, so continued growth seems
likely.
If we can
find the right tools to allow downtown development to compete fairly with greenfield
development, I believe that much of the growth over the next twenty years will
occur close to the urban core. But eventually,
the downtown opportunities will be used up and slow horizontal growth will resume.
If I’m
correct and the Red Barn site is one day developed, I hope the configuration is
closer to a pocket neighborhood is than to any of the alternatives in the current
DEIR.
At least
that’s my opinion.
I find that
I have again taken up more of your day than I had intended. I have a few final thoughts to offer, but
will defer those to my next post.
As always,
your questions or comments will be appreciated.
Please comment below or email me.
And thanks for reading. - Dave Alden (davealden53@comcast.net)
Dave, I am shocked, doubly shocked. First because you have suggested more than double Davidon's top proposal of 93 homes where I would prefer none, but rather an expansion of beautiful, popular Helen Putnam Park. Second because the specter of 200 homes in pocket neighborhoods is astoundingly preferable for reasons of aesthetics, character and community than 93, 66 or 28 more dinosaurian executive mansions — ugh! To my surprise as a daily walker and bike rider on tree-graced D Street, if I were to swallow Davidon traffic adding to the infrastructure wear-and-tear on this lovely street, I'd much prefer that the cars and people lived in a community than in isolated fortresses up the hill. I'm glad I knew the person offering this double shock to my former sensibilities or I'd think you the devil himself. How do you get away with this?
ReplyDeleteBarry, thanks for the comment. However, I think you missed a point.
DeleteI didn't argue for the immediate development of the 200-lot plan. Instead, I argued that it was the only alternative that made any financial sense. I disavowed any judgment between the 200-lot concept and the no-development option.
However, I'm pleased that you concur that 200 compact homes are a better concept than some lesser of number of "isolated fortresses".