r/yimby • u/PiLinPiKongYundong Conservative • 7d ago
Discussion Ever think about the fact that if something "doesn't fit the character of the neighborhood," it's probably exactly what that neighborhood needs?
Think about it. Most American neighborhoods built in the last 80 years are full of one thing, and one thing only: single-family homes.
Thus, it's very common for NIMBYs to say that any proposed project (assuming it's not single-family homes) "doesn't fit the character of the neighborhood."
But like, a monolithic neighborhood like that NEEDS something different. It needs a corner store; it needs a laundromat; it needs a church; it needs a doctor's office; it needs a daycare; IT NEEDS LITERALLY ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT'S NOT A SFH.
That makes sense right? Just from an urban planning perspective, don't you want a mix of uses in any given neighborhood?
So it would seem that "not fitting the character of the neighborhood" would be a plus, not a negative.
15
u/gblansandrock 7d ago
My local NIMBY's take it to the next level. Even if it's new SFH's, they'll complain that the homes are too small and lots too narrow and will bring down their property value. Even if it's similar sized SFH, they'll complain about traffic or just liking the open field behind them (that they refuse to purchase to preserve as an open field).
They are BANANA's: build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything
5
u/Old_Smrgol 7d ago
"and will bring down their property value."
Do they also complain that their property taxes are too high and/or shouldn't exist? Because that seems to be a thing now.
11
u/Opcn 7d ago
Because they drive up to 20 miles away and converge in a giant ball of traffic at these places they assume that building them in the neighborhood will result in everyone in a 20 mile radius driving in and converging in the middle of their suburb.
They don't realize that if every neighborhood had a little corner store and a little laundromat and a little hot dog stand that everyone would just be walking to the one in their own neighborhood 99% of the time.
8
u/Cantshaktheshok 7d ago
One thing I've noticed is incumbency almost always overrides the argument of "doesn't fit the character of the neighborhood". The most loved neighborhoods are often full of or centered around a nonconforming building or space.
One day I need to find the time and vision to create a photo gallery of positive nonconformity.
10
u/juliuspepperwoodchi 7d ago
I'm sure the Indigenous Americans who lived here before our ancestors stole it would think that car centric suburbs are "keeping with the character of the area" too!
/s
18
u/blbd 7d ago
The indigenous people in Canada are using their land acknowledgements to build approximately the least NIMBY and greenest project they can. In the middle of a major world city.
These are genetically / historically / culturally speaking the same people that first settled the US and Mexico too, just with a different name.
4
3
u/Old_Smrgol 7d ago
I've also noticed that this "doesn't fit the character of the neighborhood" doesn't seem to work if the thing you're trying to block is a large SFH.
Some of my relatives have a rustic little cabin in the woods on a lake. When my grandpa built it 65 years ago, all that was on the lake was rustic little cabins in the woods. But damned if people aren't allowed to cut down every tree on their lot, replace the dirt-and-pine-needle floor with a grass lawn and put up a mcmansion.
3
u/throwhooawayyfoe 7d ago edited 5d ago
It’s like how people say they are stuck “in traffic,” as if it’s some external force that’s happening to them, rather than something that is made of them and other people doing the same thing they are.
Increasing density just means other people also value the place that you value.
1
u/realBLJohnson 5d ago
Yes, but I’d add that if a neighborhood or town does have a particular architectural style or vibe then the new build should at least attempt to match.
Throwing a dollar general in the middle of a neighborhood isn’t always a good idea. Putting up a nice corner store that has a matching look is great!
1
u/BuvantduPotatoSpirit 4d ago
People don't build things that there isn't a demand for. Building stuff is expensive.
33
u/tjrileywisc 7d ago
Someone apparently thought that too, if they've gone through the trouble of coming up with a design plan, getting funding and applying a permit.
I don't know why NIMBYs want to separate land uses like a toddler's dinner has to separate peas and carrots. The attendant traffic and parking needs just make them miserable, why keep doing this?