The 'Peculiar Geometry' of Suburbia

Scarce land, high housing prices, and convoluted local rules are resulting in developers resorting to odly-shaped lots. While some say it's creative planning, other warn of problems.

1 minute read

September 16, 2003, 10:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"...because not all of the land is developable, and because planners wanted to make the most of what they had while meeting suburban standards for lot size and width, a peculiar geometry has taken shape...With land scarce and prices continuing to soar...developers are going to unusual lengths to squeeze the most they can out of any given parcel while still complying with the thicket of local rules governing acreage, street frontage and lot widths."

Thanks to Adam Ploetz

Monday, September 15, 2003 in The Washington Post

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