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bkornblith t1_j8rszti wrote

This is how historic districts work.

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[deleted] t1_j8rv4xx wrote

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bkornblith t1_j8rvg7f wrote

There’s definitely a nuanced approach that thoughtfully thinks about keeping some historic buildings around… while massively taxing their owners for the cost to the city - and HEAVILY focused on ensuring we are constantly building a large inventory of multi family homes that are non rentals, but actually affordable to buy.

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LongIsland1995 t1_j8s8224 wrote

"Cost to the city" Lol

Also, I want to point out that the densest residential neighborhoods in NYC are mainly made up of 3 to 6 story buildings. Upzoning so that luxury high rises can be built does not increase urbanity or even help the housing crisis.

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bkornblith t1_j8sh0ce wrote

In no place in what I wrote did I imply in any way building luxury buildings.

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[deleted] t1_j8rxwso wrote

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LongIsland1995 t1_j8s97ai wrote

Aren't most Brownstones multi family?

You can't seriously be claiming that Bed Stuy, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Harlem, etc. aren't urban enough. Every single brownstone neighborhood in NYC has a population density in line with European cities.

3-6 story buildings are actually better for urbanity than high rises. I don't see how an urbanist could argue that Co-op City and Rochdale village are better planned neighborhoods than the brownstone/3-6 story multi family neighborhoods.

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Flaste t1_j8tzkaj wrote

Park Slope has lost units over the last couple years as people convert multi-family brownstones into single family ones. Many of the larger buildings are illegal to build today due to the downzoning and historic district. While it's not perfect, it is still pretty good compared to many other areas slightly further into the borough.

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TizonaBlu t1_j8utlbo wrote

I don’t know the percentage, but a large amount of townhouses were converted to multi family rentals from 60s onwards, so that owners could collect rent. Often times configured as an owners unit and multiple rentals.

That’s also when many stoops were removed in favor of ground level entrance.

However, in the last 20-25 years, it’s been going the opposite direction, and multi families have been converted to single family.

Townhouses are really rare and coveted.

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bkornblith t1_j8rym38 wrote

Yeah the taxation question is really complicated as to how we get from where we are to where we want to be… no denying.

You’ll get no argument from me as to who they benefit…

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[deleted] t1_j8rzcww wrote

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bkornblith t1_j8s17wg wrote

NYC has some particularly bad issues around property taxes —— https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-new-york-property-tax-benefits-rich/ that actually are totally different than the rest of the country.

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drpvn t1_j8s1rmz wrote

This is the biggest injustice in the state of NY, and NYC especially, and little is said about itI and nothing is done about it.

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bkornblith t1_j8s2lqs wrote

A lot has been said about it but I’d agree that nothing meaningful has been done. Getting from where we are to a better place is super tricky and no one has thoughtfully plotted out a path.

For example… people who bought a long time ago are living in nice Brownstones who if we raised taxes (as we should) would have to immediately move out as they can’t afford to pay. So should we immediately adjust taxes up and down…. Do we do change over a decade etc? There are a lot of complex questions that have to be thought about with a focus on what the middle class need… and Ofcourse none of that is happening.

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drpvn t1_j8s31yn wrote

Wonks write a lot about it but I don’t hear much from politicians or even average people, who are tragically unaware of the issue. The thing where de Blasio pays under $10k annually on two houses worth at least $3.5 million is absolutely vomit-inducing.

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bkornblith t1_j8s5w63 wrote

It needs a coherent simple story - and it doesn’t help that New York democrats are largely neolibs who don’t think this is a problem…

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drpvn t1_j8s69ai wrote

I don’t have a big beef with neoliberals. I do have a beef with paying way more money than other people. That’s the story. Then it’s just a matter of comparing how many people who vote would stand to gain from reform to how many would stand to lose from reform.

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LongIsland1995 t1_j8s8h4b wrote

"Multi unit affordable housing"

Not a real thing, the city will never go back to building NYCHA towers

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