r/strongtownsGR

MDOT has a survey, you know what to do; open unit April 30th (which is not what the first page says) [I mean, that's the quality of MDOT's work]

>The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) invites the public to participate in a survey on transportation safety across the state. This survey is part of MDOT’s initiative to update the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment (VRUSA). The SHSP and VRUSA advance roadway safety for all roadway users and provide the framework to reduce traffic crashes, which will help eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways. The survey is available through March 15.

An interesting take on AHM's MI Housing Readiness Package by, formerly of Housing Next, Ryan Kilpatrick.

It contains a very Strongtowns take:

>Every stretch of road, water main, and sidewalk your community maintains costs the same whether there’s one house on it or three. The pipes don’t know. The pavement doesn’t care. What changes is the taxable value carried by that infrastructure, and therefore the long-term financial sustainability of serving those neighborhoods at all.
More homes on the same stretch of infrastructure produce more taxable value and greater financial sustainability. That isn’t a talking point — it’s arithmetic. Michigan cities built on century-old grids already have the streets, the sewers, and the sidewalks in place. What many of them don’t have is enough rooftops to pay for the upkeep. Adding housing in existing neighborhoods is one of the few tools a community has to strengthen its tax base without raising rates, cutting services, or annexing new land.
The MI Housing Readiness Package isn’t just a permission structure for more housing. It’s a permission structure for a more financially durable municipal model — if communities know what to ask for.

And a classic Urbanism take:

>We didn’t lose neighborhood character by building more housing. In many places, we lost it by making it illegal to build housing the way we used to.

When: Tue, May 12 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Where: Grand Rapids Public Library, Library St NE

The Community Launch will start with a short presentation on the project, followed by interactive info stations where you can learn more about zoning, what's changing, and how to get involved. All ages are welcome. Spanish translation, food, and refreshments will be provided.

I have a 1800ish sqf house and I’ve been told my air conditioner is bad and cannot be repaired. The furnace is old but worked fine all winter. I was told it would be best to do both at the same time. Has anyone replaced their a/c and or furnace yet this year? How much should I expect to have to pay? Who do you recommend? I have anxiety about having to talk to a bunch of sales guys.

• Liberalize Size Limits
• Exception Accessory Structure Requirements
• Eliminate Bedroom Limit
• Permit Class A & B Home Occupations