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View Full Version : Regulations screw the environment and poor people, an example



Alyosha
11-29-2013, 10:25 AM
"Codenames" thread made me do some research and I stumbled upon this:

http://inhabitat.com/210-sq-ft-minim-house-shelters-sweet-space-saving-interior-with-off-grid-versatility/


The Minim House’s green credentials include walls made from highly insulated prefabricated SIPs (http://inhabitat.com/tag/sips/), a 960 watt solar array, a 290 gallon rainwater treatment (http://inhabitat.com/tag/rainwater-treatment/) system, and all LED lighting (http://inhabitat.com/tag/led/).
Inside two people can live and work comfortably. There is a 10′ galley
kitchen, a 8.5′ couch, 5′ closet, office space, bed, bathroom, large
windows, a flexible dining table/bar/coffee table, a full audiovisual
system and even a 5′ desk that opens up to reveal a full sized keyboard.
The openness of the interior gives it a light and dynamic feel.

This small economical, space saving, environmentally-friendly house is illegal in DC and other places due to stupid regulations about mandatory lot sizes for a house. Doesn't matter the size of the house, just lot sizes have to be xyz. This is because politicians are stupid.


http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/11/minim-house-coffee-table.jpg

http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/11/minim-house-hob.jpg

http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/11/minim-house-exterior.jpg

kilgram
11-29-2013, 10:40 AM
I think that a house of this size in Europe would be really common. Maybe a bit too small, but not much bigger, about 30-40 m² it is possible.

I think that this size would be too small, it does not arrive to 20m². But legally there is nothing that prevents you to have a house of this size. Just I think that culturally no one would accept to live in such tiny space. Probably.

I am thinking about the typical houses of 1 room are about 30m², minimium.

Codename Section
11-29-2013, 10:45 AM
Yes, but if you want to live in a small house why can't you be allowed to? It's because people want you to be in debt slavery just to own a home.

kilgram
11-29-2013, 10:48 AM
Yes, but if you want to live in a small house why can't you be allowed to? It's because people want you to be in debt slavery just to own a home.
I am against this regulation. However I didn't say it clearly, I think that my post can be interpreted in that way :)

Codename Section
11-29-2013, 11:01 AM
I don't think a family with kids can live in it, or maybe they can if its a baby and add on at a certain point, but a single guy or gal could.

kilgram
11-29-2013, 11:05 AM
I don't think a family with kids can live in it, or maybe they can if its a baby and add on at a certain point, but a single guy or gal could.
Obviously with the goal/use of this Premises are single people.

Now a question, in USA is possible to find flats of 30m², 322 ft²?

Gal is a girl?

Paperback Writer
11-29-2013, 11:09 AM
Obviously with the goal/use of this Premises are single people.

Now a question, in USA is possible to find flats of 30m², 322 ft²?

Gal is a girl?

You can if you are subletting. My flat in NYC is very small because I'm not there but a few months out of the year. I sublet a space within an apartment.

kilgram
11-29-2013, 11:23 AM
You can if you are subletting. My flat in NYC is very small because I'm not there but a few months out of the year. I sublet a space within an apartment.
I thought that you were British. But I see that you are living in USA :)

Codename Section
11-29-2013, 11:34 AM
I thought that you were British. But I see that you are living in USA :)

He goes back and forth, but we want to keep him "back". Less trouble that way.

Toro
11-29-2013, 11:36 AM
Should the title be "Regulations screw the ... " or "Regulations that screw the ... "

Because regulations against dumping toxins into the water supply probably doesn't screw the environment and the poor.

bobgnote
11-29-2013, 12:02 PM
But . . . but without egregious regs, the major parties couldn't preside, over a bubble-economy, which is always about to bust.

See what happens, when a big bub at the middle, of a collection POPS? You get, "popopopopopopop-ops."

Then we'd better see some little boxes, pronto!

Codename Section
11-29-2013, 01:26 PM
Back on topic, I like the idea of small house living.

Peter1469
11-29-2013, 01:45 PM
It is a good idea. I have seen lots of models that creatively use the space.

Contrails
11-29-2013, 02:18 PM
This small economical, space saving, environmentally-friendly house is illegal in DC and other places due to stupid regulations about mandatory lot sizes for a house. Doesn't matter the size of the house, just lot sizes have to be xyz. This is because politicians are stupid.

Actually, according to Washington DC Rule 11-1519 (http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/RuleHome.aspx?RuleNumber=11-1519) minimum lot sizes only apply in specific zones. There are many places in this city and others where you could put such a house.

Codename Section
11-29-2013, 02:23 PM
Actually, according to Washington DC Rule 11-1519 (http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/RuleHome.aspx?RuleNumber=11-1519) minimum lot sizes only apply in specific zones. There are many places in this city and others where you could put such a house.

So? There's no good reason to zone something like that. It's so they can collect higher revenue.

Contrails
11-29-2013, 03:41 PM
So? There's no good reason to zone something like that. It's so they can collect higher revenue.

Unless you live in a neighborhood of 1 acre ranch houses and don't want a trailer park moving in next door.

Peter1469
11-29-2013, 04:05 PM
Unless you live in a neighborhood of 1 acre ranch houses and don't want a trailer park moving in next door.

Were not they talking about DC? 1 acre ranch houses?

Contrails
11-29-2013, 04:51 PM
Were not they talking about DC? 1 acre ranch houses?
You should check out the Forest Hills neighborhood some time.

Peter1469
11-29-2013, 04:59 PM
You should check out the Forest Hills neighborhood some time.I looked it up, never been there. Areas like that in DC are rare.

Ravi
11-30-2013, 06:35 AM
I think it is a cool idea but the cost seems high. How is a poor family going to cough up 30K for a microhouse, not to mention the land to put it on. One could by a trailer for about $16K with the same amount of space and the benefit of portability.

shaarona
11-30-2013, 06:40 AM
I like it.... Maybe just a little larger.

Peter1469
11-30-2013, 08:32 AM
I think it is a cool idea but the cost seems high. How is a poor family going to cough up 30K for a microhouse, not to mention the land to put it on. One could by a trailer for about $16K with the same amount of space and the benefit of portability.

And a trailer will start to fall apart after 10-12 years. Plywood doesn't make the best floor in the long term.

jillian
11-30-2013, 08:40 AM
But . . . but without egregious regs, the major parties couldn't preside, over a bubble-economy, which is always about to bust.

See what happens, when a big bub at the middle, of a collection POPS? You get, "popopopopopopop-ops."

Then we'd better see some little boxes, pronto!

wow… so much unrelated hyperbole.

Codename Section
11-30-2013, 08:43 AM
I think it is a cool idea but the cost seems high. How is a poor family going to cough up 30K for a microhouse, not to mention the land to put it on. One could by a trailer for about $16K with the same amount of space and the benefit of portability.

The house is also "sustainable" if you read. It's solar powered, collects rainwater, etc. If they finance it they could pay it off in 6 years with payments less than $400 a month.

bobgnote
11-30-2013, 12:00 PM
wow… so much unrelated hyperbole.

"Wow" seems to be a big word, for you.

But "hyperbole" is out of your league.

A bubble economy includes a lot of inflated media. Heard, of INFLATION? Another big word, I know . . .

Bubbles all pop, together, so if it gets big, don't boggle yourself. You might need to move, into a widdle house.

lynn
12-02-2013, 08:10 AM
These homes are perfect for single people especially seniors who live on a fixed income.

bobgnote
12-04-2013, 04:58 PM
In the recently concluded Season 4, of HBO's BOARDWALK EMPIRE, character Nelson Van Alden assembled a Sears catalog home, for his new bride:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sears_Catalog_Home

A ton of sites proclaim modular or pre-fab houses, now. Just get yourself a lot.

This would seem to have condos beat, if a membership association is involved, with fees and loads of nonsense.