Wx_Justin t1_ixulxpu wrote on November 26, 2022 at 2:16 PM

Columbia is likely the bluest area in a blue county. With that being said, there are 3 types of Dems in the area: NIMBY Dems who are politically moderate, hate low income housing, and are in-line with Republicans at the redistricting level; Democrats who are open to the construction of low income housing no matter the environmental cost; and progressive Dems who are for low income housing only if it is sustainability built. Of course this is more simplistic than reality, but it is likely the main point of political discussion at the moment.

There are establishment-preferring residents on both sides of the aisle that are all for overdevelopment while not taking into account the environmental costs.

Even the local Facebook groups for the county are "separated" by political ideology despite not appearing to be separated at the surface level.

CookieMonster932 t1_ixwbwsn wrote on November 26, 2022 at 9:56 PM

Dense low income housing such as apartments/condos are the most environmentally friendly thing a community can do. Housing is the single biggest carbon impact each of us has. The most environmentally destructive thing a community can do is mandate single family zoning which much of Howard County does. I would argue that the Dems who support housing but only if environmentally friendly don’t really care about either.

Wx_Justin t1_ixwf8go wrote on November 26, 2022 at 10:22 PM

I see where you're coming from. Relative to single family zoning, low income housing is more environmentally friendly. But clearing dense vegetation areas rather than building on previously developed land isn't the way to go about it. In addition, we need to ensure that we aren't introducing too much impervious surface -- or at least offsetting it through planting more vegetation/constructing pervious surface and introducing flood mitigation measures

CookieMonster932 t1_ixwsogq wrote on November 27, 2022 at 12:08 AM

Agreed. I would much rather have increased density on already developed land such as allowing development of duplexes, quad plexus or mid-rises on single family lots. Unfortunately that has even less of a chance of happening.

TimSprings t1_iy0hem3 wrote on November 27, 2022 at 8:38 PM

“Relative to single family zoning, low income housing is more environmentally friendly.”

I understand this statement in the flow of this conversation, but I do want to impress on folks that “density” does not equal “low income.” Maple Lawn is probably one of the densest areas in the county, also one of the most expensive.

Wx_Justin t1_iy0lq6m wrote on November 27, 2022 at 9:06 PM

Very true. Definitely didn't mean to insinuate that.