Table of Contents Introduction  What Is a Teardown? The Effects of Teardowns     Community Character     Economic Costs     Environment     Housing/Income Mix Strategies to Address Teardowns     Redevelopment Guidelines     Teardown Fee or Tax     Permitting Review or Delay             Stormwater Ordinances     Renovation Zoning     Deconstruction     Conservation Districts     Community Surveys

Replacing obsolete housing is not a new concept. But the “teardown” trend – a community altering phenomenon that began in the 1980s and spiked through the past decade – has divided neighborhoods as older housing is replaced by new construction that is often incongruous to the established structures nearby.

 

Teardown proponents argue that they are regenerating the housing stock to meet the current market, and teardowns are within their rights as property owners. Teardown critics counter that the new homes often appear out of place in their neighborhood, cause stormwater problems and strain infrastructure, and damage our architectural heritage.  This controversy has prompted municipalities across the region to review a spectrum of policies for addressing teardowns. The desirability of these policies remains heavily debated. If teardowns concern you, please review the following CMAP strategy report, which covers in greater depth the consequences and potential solutions for this contentious regional topic. Comments and criticisms are encouraged.

 

• What would be the overall effect of regulating teardowns in your community? What positives and negatives would come from this? What regulations, if any, would be most appropriate?
• If teardowns were regulated by municipalities across the region, what would be the positive or negative effects, on a regional scale?

Continue reading the Teardowns Strategy Report....