New luxury condos pushing poor out of city (Daily Journal)
Development of fewer, higher priced multi-unit facilities in Burlingame has the City Council and Planning Commission advocating for a plan to create an increase in housing options particularly more affordable ones. Lately, new and attractive multi-unit buildings have been built in Burlingame to replace aging facilities. While the trend betters the neighborhood, the new buildings aren't providing the same number of units as was previously available on the site. That's causing concern for city officials interested in maintaining a range of housing options in the community, while not decreasing the available choices.
Burlingame is built out, meaning the last major subdivision to bring housing options was built on a dairy farm in the Trousdale area in the 1960s, said City Planner Meg Monroe. What we're left with today is the replacement of existing buildings. If something wasn't well built originally; or a house was built on two lots, it's removed and two houses were built. In-fill development is when the situation of aging causes things to be replaced and you're fitting it into the existing situation,? she said. In the past, these developments were replaced with a similar number of units, if not more, than were originally there. Lately, however, less units are being built to replace an aging building. When a multiple-unit older building is torn down with 16 units, for example, it's rebuilt and only eight units go up, said Councilwoman Ann Keighran. These new options are bigger, which comes with a larger price tag. The goal is to create more housing options, rather than less, at a more affordable rate.
Mayor Terry Nagel cited Chateau Primrose, a newer condominium development just across the street from City Hall. A three-bedroom condo in the building is currently listed for sale for more than $2 million. We don't need more $2.5 million condos. We need more mid-range choices for housing. We need to look at some sort of strategy for making that happen,? she said. People are now willing to pay upward of $1 million for a condominium, but also expect more when doing so, said Monroe. On average, the city has a net gain of 25 new units per year, said Monroe. City officials worry the trend will create less overall housing options in the long run. Since more than half the city's housing options are multiple-family units, Burlingame isn't ready to change that, said Monroe.
A subcommittee of planning commissioners will most likely be assembled to identify the cause of the building trend and how to address it so that the city isn't decreasing its housing options.
Development of fewer, higher priced multi-unit facilities in Burlingame has the City Council and Planning Commission advocating for a plan to create an increase in housing options particularly more affordable ones. Lately, new and attractive multi-unit buildings have been built in Burlingame to replace aging facilities. While the trend betters the neighborhood, the new buildings aren't providing the same number of units as was previously available on the site. That's causing concern for city officials interested in maintaining a range of housing options in the community, while not decreasing the available choices.
Burlingame is built out, meaning the last major subdivision to bring housing options was built on a dairy farm in the Trousdale area in the 1960s, said City Planner Meg Monroe. What we're left with today is the replacement of existing buildings. If something wasn't well built originally; or a house was built on two lots, it's removed and two houses were built. In-fill development is when the situation of aging causes things to be replaced and you're fitting it into the existing situation,? she said. In the past, these developments were replaced with a similar number of units, if not more, than were originally there. Lately, however, less units are being built to replace an aging building. When a multiple-unit older building is torn down with 16 units, for example, it's rebuilt and only eight units go up, said Councilwoman Ann Keighran. These new options are bigger, which comes with a larger price tag. The goal is to create more housing options, rather than less, at a more affordable rate.
Mayor Terry Nagel cited Chateau Primrose, a newer condominium development just across the street from City Hall. A three-bedroom condo in the building is currently listed for sale for more than $2 million. We don't need more $2.5 million condos. We need more mid-range choices for housing. We need to look at some sort of strategy for making that happen,? she said. People are now willing to pay upward of $1 million for a condominium, but also expect more when doing so, said Monroe. On average, the city has a net gain of 25 new units per year, said Monroe. City officials worry the trend will create less overall housing options in the long run. Since more than half the city's housing options are multiple-family units, Burlingame isn't ready to change that, said Monroe.
A subcommittee of planning commissioners will most likely be assembled to identify the cause of the building trend and how to address it so that the city isn't decreasing its housing options.
- Written by Fiona
I am really glad this problem is being recognized. My wife and I have rented an apartment (immediately next to the new Chateau Primrose ironically) for 3 years and despite both working at two excellent bay area companies, we haven't been able to buy a place in Burlingame yet. It's very discouraging for a young family just starting out who really love everything Burlingame has to offer.
Posted by: Vince Chiaro | March 30, 2007 at 02:10 AM