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Alternative
Housing Plans are Too Conservative
Published Saturday,
August 9, 1997
The Nevada County
Board of Supervisors is attempting to resolve some alternative housing
issues. Mostly, that means unpermitted homes.
Their plan proposes reducing or waiving fees and providing financial assistance
to low-income applicants. Therefore, its ultimately a fee-recovery
plan, like provided amnesty to illegal aliens to induce them to become
solid tax paying citizens.
So the county will turn a blind eye (for a limited time) to get some property
owners into the tax system. An article on the front page of The
Union on August 4th states, Critics of the plan, however, argue
that owners of unpermitted homes should pay their fair share, just like
every one else.. Under this plan, they eventually will.
Its a good idea, as far as it goes.
Another part of the plan would allow qualified recreational vehicles to
be used as granny units. This makes great sense and legalizes what
some people do anyway. I dont think there should be serious
objection if I want to house my 80-year-old mother in a little RV at the
back of my house. Further, we might as well get with the program,
because current and future technology will bring us more granny
housing variants: mini-homes on wheels, styrofoam dome housing,
etc.
Im sure the county will even work out how squeeze money out of the
RV arrangement. Still, a pretty good idea, as far as it goes.
No doubt some people will be critical of these liberal policies,
somehow reasoning that an RV parked behind a house on Willow Valley Road
will lower their property values in Alta Sierra. That makes no sense.
And wouldnt it be funny if those who want strict regulation of housing
are also those who go on forever about getting the government off
our backs.
Anyway, the plan isnt liberal; in fact, it doesnt go far enough.
It seems to exclude those who like to live in lean-tos, tents, or camper
shells. Whats wrong with that? As I recall, Ananda started
as a settlement of teepees. In our outlying districts, I suspect
a number of people are just fine with their very alternate housing, water
sources and pit privies.
Further, I know of one family who grew up in North San Juan with housing
that would have distressed the Planning Department no end. Somehow,
parents and children turned out to be good, decent people.
As far as I know, the plan excludes certifying homes with composting toilets,
even though they are well thought of in other countries. One couple
I know installed conventional toilets simply to get a Certificate of Habitability
(I think thats what its called). Immediately after,
they tore it out and put in the composting toilet.
Current alternative housing plans will do nothing to encourage innovation.
What if classical Japanese construction or architectural wonders dont
conform to some narrow regulations? I imagine Thomas Jefferson would
have a tough time building Monticello in Nevada County today. Aside
from the mitigation fees (a whole different issue), his ideas would be
too innovative. I can hear the building inspector telling him, Tom,
you designed this house yourself, and we dont trust that.
And that dumbwaiter! Weve never seen one, so it must not be
up to code!
Granted, one of the toughest jobs the Nevada County Board of Supervisors
has is implementing the publics will about land use. To this
day, theres no grand consensus on the best ways to grow (or not
grow).
We need real agreement on the general density of residential development.
We need to review what structures are safe and appropriate. Further,
what fees should be extracted from us, either through our taxes, or through
the mitigation fees the developer passes on to us in the sale price of
a home?
Expect to see our housing policies developed by means of a series of slim
majorities. On any given day, Supervisors Dardick, Van Zant, and
Antonson will vote for a liberal alternate housing ordinance. The
next day, Grattan, Knecht, and Antonson will vote for liberal developer
aid. Although neither vote will drive the county to ruin, extremists
of both sides will swear its so.
The ultimate question we must ask government is, How much are you
going to be in my face over how I shelter myself? In a free
society, let people live as they wish.
Barry Schoenborn is a technical writer, and a ten-year resident of
Nevada County. You can write to him at barry@wvswrite.com. The opinions
of columnists are not necessarily those of The Union.
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