03-15-2021, 12:05 AM
(03-14-2021, 09:52 PM)nms Wrote: No, Dan, I am not naïve. There are projects all the time that proceed in this Region, many of them without needing variances or density bonusing that appears to be tilted in the developers favour. Yes, there is neighbourhood opposition in many cases, but it is a lot easier for a politician or staff to approve a project if it clear that it fits within the existing guidelines. Politicians side with the neighbourhood against a developer if it is clear that the developer is asking for more than the density bonusing was intended for in the first place.
Density bonusing in itself is a poor way to plan a community. The community, through its planners, its politicians and its community engagement should be able to set the limits and guidelines for the community that the developers are willing to to play within. The community should not be forced to bribe developers (or have developers bribe the community) in order to achieve what we want in this community. Community benefits should not be transactional. Cities managed to demand that developers include running water, electricity and properly built buildings without giving away extra density to make it worth the builders while. Yes, I know that the building code is not managed at the municipal level, but I can't at the moment come up with a good example of where the Cities have set rules for development and the developers can't choose not to follow them unless there is a little something extra in it for them.
It's not easier, it's unnecessary. If the project meets zoning, then they don't have to approve it. But as you point out, the community still opposes and communities which have the resources still make it a nightmare for developers.
I.e., no, developers don't save grief by following zoning. The city is generally on the side of developers and the city is easy to negotiate with. It's the neighbours that are holding things up, and killing projects.