Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Lancaster development code 2007: Some suggestions
Email
|
Print
|
Tell us your story
|
Comment
|
About a month ago, I said Lancaster was still, in my opinion, one development code behind the curve.
I wasn’t specific that I was talking primarily about design standards, not zoning classifications or similar.
With that said, then, here’s some of my suggestions for design ideas to incorporate in the next development code, from big to small.
1. Insulation — let’s say all new houses have to have R-13 minimum in the walls and R-25 in the roofs; that’s not too much to ask. I’d actually prefer something like R-19/R-30, but am being lenient.
2. Windows — must be at least double-paned; preferably glazed to boot
3. Some sort of “Energy Star” type rating, if this is legally allowable. Just like you have a sticker on the new fridge that says, “This model will take $$X per month to operate,” put that on new houses.
4. Developments of 50 or more houses have to use at least 2 percent recycled material.
5. Soffits MUST have at least 18 inches of overhang on sides and 24 inches front and back. I have NEVER gotten this idea of building houses without eaves, especially when every extra bit of shade in the summer keeps the body of the house cooler.
6. To riff on The Preserve, for standard zoning, not PDs, let’s then have a “take two” list of other design elements, at least two of which would have to be included with each new house. And, please don’t count chinzy items such as brick mailboxes.
Anyway, that should be enough to get the ball rolling. I have no doubt other people can offer additional ideas.
Complaint point, related to No. 5 — what’s with houses being built without screen/storm doors on the front?
Pegasus News content partner - SocraticGadfly
See more stories in:
Find...
Today
GlamAmour's Bewitching Burlesque Remember Abe Weinstein's Colony Club? How about Jack Ruby's Carousel? Dang, you're old. (And dirty!) Hearken back to the golden days of Dallas burlesque with women who tease to please. More info
Blogs
- Deli-cious irony
Square Pegs - I so wish we had laser eyes
Square Pegs - Why I think the ecomomy is even scarier than I thought
Square Pegs
Latest comments
- Mike Orren on Why I think the ecomomy is even scarier than I thought: *Auto makers have struggled in the past months but they are nowhere near the bottom. The next year i...
- xdavidwattsx on Why I think the ecomomy is even scarier than I thought: Agreed. Auto makers have struggled in the past months but they are nowhere near the bottom. The next...
- Scott Doyle on Dallas' old Parkland Hospital complex will soon reopen as office buildings: In other news, it’d be pretty awesome if they used wrecking balls of fire when they *did* tear stuff...
- asmith on Halloween Costume Party: YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS EVENT! - Friday October 31st 2008 - 10,000 sq. ft. party barn w/ a huge ...
Latest reviews
- Collin Gouldin on Ricky Ray's BBQ: The food was pretty good, but maybe they should stick to catering… The store front wasn’t very org...
- 1concernedcitizen on Fat Joe's Pizza (Allen): Believe me as an overweight person I know good pizza and I promise you the pizza was nasty. I am not...
- 1concernedcitizen on El Fenix Mexican Restaurant (Dallas / Inwood & Lemmon): Raise the flag and bring more of those great desserts…...
Post a comment
(Requires free PegasusNews.com account.)