Betsy McCaughey: Dems Attack Suburban Homeowners

You’re being attacked if you have worked hard to buy a suburban home with a lawn for your children.

Democrats in New York, Connecticut, and other states are fighting local Zoning laws to allow high-rise apartment building constructions with the support of the Biden administration. “affordable” Single-family homes in tree-lined communities. Equity is the key to ensuring that everyone can live in peaceful suburbs, regardless of their ability to pay.

Jan. 19 was the date that the Biden administration declared that all U.S. cities will have to submit. “Equity Plans” Providing affordable housing, transportation, and other resources will enable low-income individuals to live in these areas.

Federal funding will not be available to towns that don’t meet this standard for economic diversity.

There is a housing shortage. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has some sensible proposals, such as allowing mother in law apartments and relaxing environmental restrictions regarding residential building.

Hochul’s most important proposal, however, is the Housing Compact. This is another misguided attack upon local control and single family zoning.

It will force every village and town in New York to increase their housing stock in order to meet a uniform state-imposed goal and rezone high-density housing — apartment building — within half a mile of each MTA station.

It’s time to say good-bye to charming downtowns filled with older houses and buildings two stories high.

If a municipality fails to meet state targets the Compact will permit developers to build big, in contravention of local zoning board in almost all cases.

Hochul hopes to get legislative approval for her plan before April. Suburban homeowners are fighting a powerful alliance made up of real estate developers and social justice fighters who want to abolish single-family zoning.

Local control will be eliminated. Albany will decide what your town looks and what traffic is there, and ultimately what the value of your home.

Henry Grabar of Slate Magazine slams Hochul’s critics “a band of recalcitrant, remorseless ne’er-do-wells.” He’s wrong. They are valid concerns. The home is the most important asset of most people.

Opponents to single-family zone are also playing race cards. Laura Harding, President of ERASE Racism, says that she is fighting for Long Island. “free of structural racism and de facto segregation.” All over the place, the same fake pretext is being used.

Racial discrimination in any form is unacceptable and should be investigated. Brookings Institution analysis shows that race is not an obstacle to suburban living. Whites are moving faster to the suburbs than blacks. Anyone can be suburban. It takes money, especially in Connecticut. Arnold Karp, a developer in New Canaan, bought a colonial house along tree-lined Weed St. to build his small, ultra-wealthy New Canaan home. The street is free of commercial and multifamily properties. He wants to build an apartment complex of five stories and 102 units with 30% for affordable housing.

Weed Street can be reached in just 10 minutes by car or local train from Stamford. Stamford is a mid-sized city with a lot of affordable housing.

It’s easier than requesting that every town change its character to provide affordable housing.

Local officials explained that New Canaan’s six-member fire department does not have the hoses and trucks necessary to tackle a fire in Karp’s building.

Chris DeMuth Jr., Weed Saint neighbor, warns Karp of Karp’s plans “is to cram over 300 people into a lot currently occupied by a single-family home.”

“If they destroy Weed Street, they could come for your neighborhood next,” DeMuth claims that a flyer circulated among his neighbors.

Connecticut’s Senate Democrats actually announced they were making housing equity “in every community in the state” Priority number one

Democrats believe that everyone deserves the same lifestyle regardless of their income. But housing equity is not enough. The government could also require fine restaurants to make a set number of tables available for them. “affordable” dining. All this for the sake — you guessed it — dining equity.

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