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San Francisco To Vote On Apartments The Size Of Two Prison Cells [Hope and Change?]
NBCNews ^ | September 24, 2012

Posted on 09/24/2012 7:15:27 PM PDT by Steelfish

San Francisco To Vote On Apartments The Size Of Two Prison Cells

San Francisco may soon give new meaning to the word "downsizing." Supervisors are set to vote on Tuesday on a proposed change to the city's building code that would allow construction of among the tiniest apartments in the country.

Under the plan, new apartments could be as small as 220 square feet (a little more than double the size of some prison cells), including a kitchen, bathroom and closet, the Los Angeles Times reported. Current regulations require the living room alone to be that size.

Schematics for 300-square-foot units planned for San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood include window seats that turn into spare beds and beds that turn into tables.

Proponents say the smaller apartments would provide a cheaper option for the city's many single residents, who have been priced out of the rental market as the region experiences a resurgent technology industry.

San Francisco apartments rented for an average of $2,734 in June, up 13 percent from a year ago, according to the research firm, RealFacts. The micro-units, in contrast, are expected to rent for $1,200 to $1,700 a month, San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener told the Los Angeles Times. Wiener drafted the legislation for the smaller apartments.

It allows them to accommodate up to two people and requires an additional 100 square feet of space for each occupant above that number.

"Although in our fantasy world everyone would live in a single-family home or a huge spacious flat, the reality of life is that not everyone can afford that," Wiener said.

(Excerpt) Read more at bottomline.nbcnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: California
KEYWORDS: california; downsizing; hypocrisy; occupysanfrancisco; sanfrancisco
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To: Steelfish
San Francisco To Vote On Apartments

Huh? Since when is it a city's business to decide how large an apartment should be? That should be determined by the free market.

Next thing you know, cities will be regulating soft drink sizes.

Oh, wait...they're already doing that.

21 posted on 09/24/2012 7:44:35 PM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: Steelfish

I don’t have a problem with this if somebody wants to live there. The problem is ten years from now it will be mandated. Any body that wants to live bigger will be taxed appropriately. The overlords know what is best.


22 posted on 09/24/2012 7:46:45 PM PDT by Lurkina.n.Learnin (Ignorance is bliss- I'm stoked)
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To: Steelfish

When I was young these types of apartments were called “Batchelor Apartments”. I lived in several of them before, and after my military service, and before I got married. They were adequate, and they were cheap rent. Just needed a place to sleep in those days.


23 posted on 09/24/2012 7:47:47 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: Steelfish

Lots of cities made the old single-room occupancy boarding houses illegal when they had become filled with lowlifes.

This is really just a way to bring back a sensible solution slightly upgraded for our times.


24 posted on 09/24/2012 7:50:08 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: SaxxonWoods

None with Bwaney in the room. Unless he’s playing with himself. No one else would fit!


25 posted on 09/24/2012 7:54:19 PM PDT by cableguymn (peace through strength. if they don't like you at least they will fear you.)
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To: berdie

????!?

In the very nice UES of Manhattan there are many, many , many 475 SQ studios available for 14-1,600.

My gf had one for two years before we moved into a 1000sqft 2bed two full path with 15X7 foot terrace.

I’ve been blessed to afford that with two incomes, but you’re figures are way off sir.


26 posted on 09/24/2012 7:54:33 PM PDT by Individual Rights in NJ (Want to join my new country in Greenland? Like the Danes will stop us; pft!)
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To: Steelfish

No one is forcing people into these units (yet). If I were single in a city, I’d consider it - relative to having roommates. It’s just a different lifestyle.

I think the idea of forcing units to be a minimum size goes against basic property rights, in my opinion.


27 posted on 09/24/2012 7:55:04 PM PDT by BobL (You can live each day only once. You can waste a few, but don't waste too many.)
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To: Steelfish
Proponents say the smaller apartments would provide a cheaper option for the city's many single residents, who have been priced out of the rental market as the region experiences a resurgent technology industry.

Glorified barracks housing for servant help.

28 posted on 09/24/2012 7:55:11 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: 9YearLurker

until they become filled with lowlifes...

History will repeat its self.


29 posted on 09/24/2012 7:56:32 PM PDT by cableguymn (peace through strength. if they don't like you at least they will fear you.)
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To: Leaning Right

Thomas Sowell has written about the CA real estate market and how zoning laws really crank up the cost of housing in the greater SF area.

People are upset with Bloomberg for looking to make the zoning more lenient in NYC so smaller apartments can be built. I believe the average cost of a 1-bedroom rental in Manhattan is now over $3,000 a month.


30 posted on 09/24/2012 7:57:20 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: Steelfish

Oh for cryin out loud!!! my kitchen is bigger than that !!!!


31 posted on 09/24/2012 7:59:04 PM PDT by blastdad51 (Typical middle-aged white patriot.)
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To: 2111USMC

The biggest downside for me would be the lack of yard work. I’m a bit like Hank Hill, I do enjoy mowing and such.

I do think Americans are a bit too spoiled when it comes to apts/homes. Not everyone needs a 3 bedroom, 8 1/2 bath apt or house.


32 posted on 09/24/2012 8:00:16 PM PDT by Sporke (USS Iowa BB-61)
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To: 2111USMC

“A lot of people in Europe have lived like this for generations.”

So have rabbits and chickens!!!!


33 posted on 09/24/2012 8:01:05 PM PDT by dalereed
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To: 9YearLurker

wow.. I have .33 acres of land, a 1700 square foot home AND 20 feet of lake front on a 1800 acre lake and I pay 1/3 of that.

And my payments end... Rent just goes on and on and on (and up!)


34 posted on 09/24/2012 8:02:10 PM PDT by cableguymn (peace through strength. if they don't like you at least they will fear you.)
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To: Sporke

no one “needs” a larger home.

We WANT a larger home.

As long as we are paying the bill who case what we buy with our money? (or borrowed money with agreed terms)

I could live in 420 square feet with my wife and 2 kids.

I’d probably jump out the window at some point. But I guess I could.. for a while..


35 posted on 09/24/2012 8:04:41 PM PDT by cableguymn (peace through strength. if they don't like you at least they will fear you.)
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To: Steelfish

None of their business. If someone wants to rent 100 sq ft, and someone will lease it, let ‘em. There’s rather an active community of “tiny home” afficianados. If you’re not one, respect that others are.


36 posted on 09/24/2012 8:05:24 PM PDT by ctdonath2 ($1 meals: http://abuckaplate.blogspot.com)
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To: Lurkina.n.Learnin

While Sen. Feinstein has a massive mansion overlooking the SF Golden Gate Bridge!


37 posted on 09/24/2012 8:05:44 PM PDT by Steelfish (ui)
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To: Steelfish

You could take a crap, cook supper, and do laundry all without getting off the toilet.


38 posted on 09/24/2012 8:06:14 PM PDT by Husker24
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To: dalereed
So have rabbits and chickens!!!!

LOL!

39 posted on 09/24/2012 8:09:22 PM PDT by 2111USMC (aim small, miss small)
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To: GeronL

Ah, so when I revoked her bond this afternoon, my ex is moving to Leftist utopia. I will remind her of this fact when I get that expletive filled phone call from jail Thursday. She is an Obama lover, that should work out well for her lol.


40 posted on 09/24/2012 8:21:26 PM PDT by When do we get liberated? (A socialist is a communist who realizes he must suck at the tit of Capitalism.)
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