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CookieMonster932 t1_ixwbwsn wrote

Reply to comment by Wx_Justin in Political vibes in Columbia? by BalancingAct247

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.

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Wx_Justin t1_ixwf8go wrote

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

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CookieMonster932 t1_ixwsogq wrote

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.

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TimSprings t1_iy0hem3 wrote

“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.

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Wx_Justin t1_iy0lq6m wrote

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

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