Regarding mansionization, the topic du jour at City Hall, Vice Mayor Andy Weissman says “nothing has changed” in the eight days since the City Council made a pivotal suggestion to city staffers.
“We asked them to evaluate whether there is a need for tougher zoning requirements, tougher building standards,” he said.
On this matter, the vice mayor anticipates a quiet summer season, predicting a followup report is likely to arrive in early autumn. Staffers will carry their findings to the advisory Planning Commission, and those members will report back to the City Council.
Just because the gathering anti-mansionization forces are ginning up the volume of opposition, last week’s majority ruling remains untouched.
“What is new between last week and now,” Mr. Weissman asked, “other than that they didn’t like the result?”
He declined to elaborate on the contentious matter. “When it comes back to Council,” Mr. Weissman said, “we will have an opportunity to deal with it then. The recognition at the Council meeting was that there may be a need for tougher building standards. The Planning Commission will study it and come back to us.”
As for the pretty equally divided cast of speakers at the Council meeting:
“Nearly everyone who favored a moratorium lived on two streets in Carlson Park,” Mr. Weissman said. “Those opposed to a moratorium lived in Carlson Park and elsewhere.”
