'Starter Castles' Change Historic Neighborhoods

In New Jersey, and across the country, housing communities deeply divided on the issue of over-sized 'McMansions'.

1 minute read

May 13, 2005, 5:00 AM PDT

By Brenda Meyer

"Indeed, the number of oversize houses from 3,000 to 10,000 square feet with entrances like Tara, windows like European cathedrals and garages like small municipal lots has increased so drastically in the last decade that many local governments...find themselves struggling to establish new zoning ordinances or rewriting existing ones in an effort to restrict the size of the new structures.

These sprawling new homes...present neighbors with a sudden expanse of towering wall to look at, blocking sunlight, altering the streetscape and even changing the character of the neighborhood.

...In 2002, a report sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 'Taming the Teardown Trend,' said that demolitions were approaching 'epidemic proportions' in historic neighborhoods, and that 100 communities in 20 states had experienced significant numbers of teardowns."

Thanks to Brenda Meyer

FULL STORY: McMansions or Bash-and-Builds, Some Towns Have Had Enough

Thursday, May 12, 2005 in The New York Times

Housing New Jersey

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.