As Davidson debates new rules aimed at preserving the character of existing neighborhoods amid market pressure to tear down smaller houses and replace them with big ones, it’s helpful to know we’re not alone.

The National Association of Home Builders estimates 330,000 homes nationwide were demolished last year for a variety of reasons, according to an article in Monday’s New York Times. The article reviews worries about teardowns in the Long Island community of Massapequa, N.Y. (See “Views Clash Among Neighbors as Builders Destroy Old for New.”)

The same article quotes a 2006 survey by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which found raging battles across the country over so-called “tear-downs.”

Our thanks to Davidson News & Notes reader Ken Menkhaus for the link. Ken notes that the issue is a complicated one. He said in an e-mail this morning:

“The article misses important issues, like how to ensure that restrictions don’t penalize homeowners hoping to get full market value for their property, and how difficult it is to craft regulations that actually accomplish what communities hope to accomplish. But it’s still an interesting article, and reminds us we’re not the only town facing these issues.”

REVISIONS IN DAVIDSON

Davidson’s Town Board last fall passed an interim set of revisions to the Village Infill Planning Area ordinance that tightened restrictions on new residential construction and home renovations in the old part of town.

The board recently held a public hearing on a broader set of permanent changes to the ordinance that set new height and size limits. Those revisions are being tweaked to incorporate comments during the hearing, and should come up for a final vote at next month’s Town Board meeting, May 8 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, according to town planner Lauren Blackburn.

LINKS

For Davidson News & Notes coverage of the proposed revisions to the Village Infill Planning Area rules, CLICK HERE>

Town of Davidson website announcement of the recent public hearing on the Village Infill rules, with links to the text of the revisions, CLICK HERE>