Salim Furth
@salimfurth.bsky.social
Mostly on LinkedIn. Housing nerd. Personal views only. It's a free country.
Maybe fire departments in colonial-era cities like Santa Fe should buy appropriately-sized vehicles so they can reach all the residents, rather than expecting "good civic planning" to make wider streets??
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Maybe fire departments in colonial-era cities like Santa Fe should buy appropriately-sized vehicles so they can reach all the residents, rather than expecting "good civic planning" to make wider streets??
Happy (?) Columbus (???) Day!
This "holiday" (I'm working...you're probably working) is Exhibit A in the case for a federal holiday shakeup.
This "holiday" (I'm working...you're probably working) is Exhibit A in the case for a federal holiday shakeup.
October 13, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Happy (?) Columbus (???) Day!
This "holiday" (I'm working...you're probably working) is Exhibit A in the case for a federal holiday shakeup.
This "holiday" (I'm working...you're probably working) is Exhibit A in the case for a federal holiday shakeup.
Let me see how this option works...
August 22, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Let me see how this option works...
It's heavily algorithmed, so you get what you click on (plus ads, which are usually businessy). Here's the top of my feed right now.
August 22, 2025 at 10:59 PM
It's heavily algorithmed, so you get what you click on (plus ads, which are usually businessy). Here's the top of my feed right now.
@bobbyfijan.bsky.social, did I find the world's worst apartment layout? And is it the most-viewed layout diagram in history??That's Henry Fonda at the top of the frame.
July 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
@bobbyfijan.bsky.social, did I find the world's worst apartment layout? And is it the most-viewed layout diagram in history??That's Henry Fonda at the top of the frame.
Some next-level nominative determinism
July 7, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Some next-level nominative determinism
And here's Mahogany, a fancy greenfield build in Calgary where there's a lot of peer pressure to buy trampolines.
May 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
And here's Mahogany, a fancy greenfield build in Calgary where there's a lot of peer pressure to buy trampolines.
Here are some Edmonton infill photos I took with their builder, Peter Jorgesen.
May 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Here are some Edmonton infill photos I took with their builder, Peter Jorgesen.
It's not a housing crisis, it's a NIMBY Crisis.
April 24, 2025 at 2:33 PM
It's not a housing crisis, it's a NIMBY Crisis.
Likewise, it allows modifications (the easy type of variance) for changes that maintain neighborhood character. #ContextualZoning cc @strongtowns.org
March 12, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Likewise, it allows modifications (the easy type of variance) for changes that maintain neighborhood character. #ContextualZoning cc @strongtowns.org
2025-H-5799 is one of my favorite - contextual zoning. It allows subdivision of lots where the new, smaller lots will abide by local norms (even if the local minimum lot size is higher). This is a muscular version of protecting neighborhoods from downzoning.
March 12, 2025 at 5:56 PM
2025-H-5799 is one of my favorite - contextual zoning. It allows subdivision of lots where the new, smaller lots will abide by local norms (even if the local minimum lot size is higher). This is a muscular version of protecting neighborhoods from downzoning.
It's not 100% clear to me that this language will apply in the zones mentioned above; if so, it's strong:
March 12, 2025 at 5:56 PM
It's not 100% clear to me that this language will apply in the zones mentioned above; if so, it's strong:
2025-H-5798 is a zoning rather than process bill: it allows lot split townhomes wherever duplexes are allowed. The phrasing is hard for me to follow, but this follows the template of Oregon SB 458 (2021).
March 12, 2025 at 5:55 PM
2025-H-5798 is a zoning rather than process bill: it allows lot split townhomes wherever duplexes are allowed. The phrasing is hard for me to follow, but this follows the template of Oregon SB 458 (2021).
2025-H-5793 could be good fiscal zoning, but it's a half measure. It allows municipalities to exceed their property tax revenue cap if they've added housing, but only if it 10% affordable. More, not less, taxation should be allowed for market-rate housing!
March 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
2025-H-5793 could be good fiscal zoning, but it's a half measure. It allows municipalities to exceed their property tax revenue cap if they've added housing, but only if it 10% affordable. More, not less, taxation should be allowed for market-rate housing!
2025-H-5802 formalizes a process for approving housing developments on state-owned land and exempts those from local regulations
March 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
2025-H-5802 formalizes a process for approving housing developments on state-owned land and exempts those from local regulations
The bill tweaks - but does not eliminate - an allowed limit on development under the LowMod law to 1% of housing stock. That's a fine average rate of growth, but it eliminates any sizeable project from most towns. The median RI municipality has 7,280 households.
March 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The bill tweaks - but does not eliminate - an allowed limit on development under the LowMod law to 1% of housing stock. That's a fine average rate of growth, but it eliminates any sizeable project from most towns. The median RI municipality has 7,280 households.
It tightens some of the criteria that towns use to refuse Low-Mod projects, including one requiring compatibility in scale. The language is missing an ", and".
March 12, 2025 at 5:53 PM
It tightens some of the criteria that towns use to refuse Low-Mod projects, including one requiring compatibility in scale. The language is missing an ", and".
Next bill!
2025-H-5801 tweaks RI's rarely-used builder's remedy, the Low and Moderate Housing Act (similar to Mass 40B & CT 8-30g). It formalizes a new "master plan" approval pathway. I'm curious if this is something builders wanted or if towns were requiring it in unreasonable ways.
2025-H-5801 tweaks RI's rarely-used builder's remedy, the Low and Moderate Housing Act (similar to Mass 40B & CT 8-30g). It formalizes a new "master plan" approval pathway. I'm curious if this is something builders wanted or if towns were requiring it in unreasonable ways.
March 12, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Next bill!
2025-H-5801 tweaks RI's rarely-used builder's remedy, the Low and Moderate Housing Act (similar to Mass 40B & CT 8-30g). It formalizes a new "master plan" approval pathway. I'm curious if this is something builders wanted or if towns were requiring it in unreasonable ways.
2025-H-5801 tweaks RI's rarely-used builder's remedy, the Low and Moderate Housing Act (similar to Mass 40B & CT 8-30g). It formalizes a new "master plan" approval pathway. I'm curious if this is something builders wanted or if towns were requiring it in unreasonable ways.
Still on 5794:
Only abutters can protest a "modification" (a minor variance).
Single family homes complying with local IZ cannot be limited to fewer than 3 bedrooms (where was this an issue??)
IZ cannot be applied where state regulations block the required density bonus.
Only abutters can protest a "modification" (a minor variance).
Single family homes complying with local IZ cannot be limited to fewer than 3 bedrooms (where was this an issue??)
IZ cannot be applied where state regulations block the required density bonus.
March 12, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Still on 5794:
Only abutters can protest a "modification" (a minor variance).
Single family homes complying with local IZ cannot be limited to fewer than 3 bedrooms (where was this an issue??)
IZ cannot be applied where state regulations block the required density bonus.
Only abutters can protest a "modification" (a minor variance).
Single family homes complying with local IZ cannot be limited to fewer than 3 bedrooms (where was this an issue??)
IZ cannot be applied where state regulations block the required density bonus.
[This bill is a long one]
Most importantly, it shifts the timing of permits. Instead of requiring state & federal permits at the "preliminary plan" stage, statute would now require them at the "final plan" stage. This probably saves duplicative work.
Most importantly, it shifts the timing of permits. Instead of requiring state & federal permits at the "preliminary plan" stage, statute would now require them at the "final plan" stage. This probably saves duplicative work.
March 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
[This bill is a long one]
Most importantly, it shifts the timing of permits. Instead of requiring state & federal permits at the "preliminary plan" stage, statute would now require them at the "final plan" stage. This probably saves duplicative work.
Most importantly, it shifts the timing of permits. Instead of requiring state & federal permits at the "preliminary plan" stage, statute would now require them at the "final plan" stage. This probably saves duplicative work.
2025-H-5794 shifts some subdivision into the "minor" category, easing approvals. It also disallows localities from requiring a pre-application meeting (although they can probably get around this easily). It also makes it clear what an 'incomplete' application is.
March 12, 2025 at 5:50 PM
2025-H-5794 shifts some subdivision into the "minor" category, easing approvals. It also disallows localities from requiring a pre-application meeting (although they can probably get around this easily). It also makes it clear what an 'incomplete' application is.
2025-H-5803 follows up on a 2013 reform to standardize electronic permitting. It's not clear to me that this requires localities to adopt the uniform system. It does require state enviro agencies to adopt electronic systems.
March 12, 2025 at 5:50 PM
2025-H-5803 follows up on a 2013 reform to standardize electronic permitting. It's not clear to me that this requires localities to adopt the uniform system. It does require state enviro agencies to adopt electronic systems.
2025-H-5804 lowers the quorum for building code decisions to 10 of 25 seats (presumably, some are empty at any moment). This could cut either way: the typical building code update *increases* costs. It also moves the state bldg commissioner into the fire marshall's office.
March 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
2025-H-5804 lowers the quorum for building code decisions to 10 of 25 seats (presumably, some are empty at any moment). This could cut either way: the typical building code update *increases* costs. It also moves the state bldg commissioner into the fire marshall's office.
Since I'm going to read Speaker Joe Shekarchi's 5th annual housing process reform package, I might as well tweet it. The first point is obvious: process is hard & takes a zillion little changes. Hence 5 packages, with no letup.
🐢🧵
🐢🧵
March 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Since I'm going to read Speaker Joe Shekarchi's 5th annual housing process reform package, I might as well tweet it. The first point is obvious: process is hard & takes a zillion little changes. Hence 5 packages, with no letup.
🐢🧵
🐢🧵
Excellent example of streamlining reform for subdivisions, @mnolangray.bsky.social - this is just one piece of one of fourteen bills in Speaker Shekarchi's fifth annual package of housing process bills.
March 12, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Excellent example of streamlining reform for subdivisions, @mnolangray.bsky.social - this is just one piece of one of fourteen bills in Speaker Shekarchi's fifth annual package of housing process bills.