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We absolutely would not need eminent domain. The city is full of tenantless low-density buildings close to transit hubs where the owners would voluntarily build six-story apartment buildings if we allowed them to.

(If they wouldn't, then why did it need to be forbidden?)




Of course they would build six story buildings if we allowed them to. But why would we stop them at six stories?


I'm saying, whatever height you want, there's no need for eminent domain. Plenty of landowners want to build.


Appeals to Paris and vast tracts of six-story apartments as an alternative to high-rise construction are dangerous because they create the illusion that a six-story height limit is okay. If we could build the whole city over again tomorrow, it might be. Today, recognizing the reality that most existing low-rise structures are in it for the long haul, when there is an opportunity to build, every floor counts.




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