JoB
David’s story is unique in that he is choosing to live in one of his units and has chosen to involve himself in local planning…
But he is not unique in not understanding the resentments that people in lower income or lower density neighborhoods feel when development comes in.
Even if they welcome the prospect of better neighbors in their neighborhood, they might not welcome the prospect of the higher taxes that will bring if they have struggled to keep their home… or the higher density.
if their neighborhood has been taken over by slumlords and the crime that brings… they likely feel hopeless and helpless already… and your home was just one more change to their neighborhood that they had no choice but to accept.
you may be a change for the better.. but you are still change… it takes some people time to adjust to change.
David, i am sorry you neighbors haven’t given you a chance.
But i have to ask.. did you give them one? Did you talk to any of your neighbors before you began to build? Do you know what their personal concerns were?
I know that it was important to you to maximize your lot, but does your project change the light in the garden next door? did you provide a fence to keep children from encroaching on the neighbors?
Being a good neighbor is much more than not vocalizing your judgments… it starts with getting to know your neighbors…
Give them a chance to get to know you and your family. talk to them about what you can do together to make yours a better neighborhood…
Good luck to you and your family.. and kudos for living in your development. That takes guts.
And i hope your experience will help you to make more informed decisions about the health of the neighborhood if you decide to develop further there… and will build allies in helping to turn that neighborhood around.