Greg Nickels announced proposed changes today that would require all new townhouse projects to go through design review. His proposal is in response to the enormous outcry from Seattle residents over the blight of ugly townhouses. Read more in the Seattle Times, PI and the SLOG.
In Sharon Chan’s Seattle Times article, she has some great comments from Pinehurst’s most infamous townhouse developer Miklos Kohary:
Miklos Kohary, who built 160 town homes in the city last year, said the mayor’s “insane” proposal would add $30,000 to $40,000 to each home. He now spends that much on loan payments, he said, waiting for building permits to clear with the city, which takes seven to 10 months.
“We were doing what was the objective of the mayor: affordable housing,” Kohary said. “My average buyer ranged from 22, 23 to 35. These were all young people who didn’t want to have a big garden and a house.
“[City officials] either want housing or they don’t. If they want housing, this is insane.”
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