Comments on: How NOT to Build Green http://modernhomesnewengland.com/how-not-to-build-green/ Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:36:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: Mark Reeves http://modernhomesnewengland.com/how-not-to-build-green/#comment-13 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:35:23 +0000 http://modernhomesnewengland.com/how-not-to-build-green/#comment-13 I forgot to mention - My building's management did send a friendly letter reminding them that they had neighbors in close proximity, at my request, to no avail. I'm not complaining about conversations under my windows, or a public resource nearby...This is foolish behavior mere feet from my windows and vibrating the floors of my home. Urban environment (with all its benefits) or not, it's intrusion. I forgot to mention - My building’s management did send a friendly letter reminding them that they had neighbors in close proximity, at my request, to no avail.

I’m not complaining about conversations under my windows, or a public resource nearby…This is foolish behavior mere feet from my windows and vibrating the floors of my home. Urban environment (with all its benefits) or not, it’s intrusion.

]]> by: Mark Reeves http://modernhomesnewengland.com/how-not-to-build-green/#comment-12 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:31:35 +0000 http://modernhomesnewengland.com/how-not-to-build-green/#comment-12 Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately when it comes to people who feel that deliberately making noise is a good use of their time and money (this isn't incidental, it's deliberately loud vehicles that they take pride in) I really don't trust them to understand others' perspective. The concern is that you open yourself up to deliberate retaliation ("screw him, I'm going to rev my car even louder.") I felt the same concern when trying to address the matter with the city and city building inspector. They offered to sit down and discuss a solution, but when it's a solution for just me, and not a solution for the neighborhood as a whole, I don't trust the follow-through. I don't think I'm describing a gated community. I'm describing quality of life policing that upholds certain standards. I'm in a community now where a call to the police department regarding an inappropriately used lightbulb across the street that was flashing for hours like strobe light in our windows and slowing down passing cars resulted in a "did you try talking to your neighbor?" Keep in mind that this was at 9:30pm and was my wife calling. Contrast that to the town we last lived in (rented), where a call at night because someone put in a ridiculous amount of effort trying to pull his car into and park under the back of my building where there was no parking had the police at my door in 10 minutes looking out my bedroom window to survey the situation. What makes matters worse? I live in a historic district and get notices in the mail to come and vote on whether so-and-so can paint their fence. My building waited months for approval on a new parking lot light (a safety feature) to replace one that had come down to make sure it met certain historic aesthetics. We knew about all of that before we moved in. We expected that to be reflected in other community standards. It's not. My point in this context isn't just noise pollution. It's conspicuous consumption and in-your-face behavior that runs contrary to what you're trying to do constructively. When every positive step you take is countered by a negative step next door, it's hard to contribute to a community's momentum and make it a place where change happens for the better. Mixed use is a great thing and was obviously my goal here. Mixed use neighborhoods should not mean one has to put up constantly with deliberately obnoxious behavior not just from passers-through, but from your own neighbors who share your street, and whose home you've never once disturbed. Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately when it comes to people who feel that deliberately making noise is a good use of their time and money (this isn’t incidental, it’s deliberately loud vehicles that they take pride in) I really don’t trust them to understand others’ perspective. The concern is that you open yourself up to deliberate retaliation (”screw him, I’m going to rev my car even louder.”) I felt the same concern when trying to address the matter with the city and city building inspector. They offered to sit down and discuss a solution, but when it’s a solution for just me, and not a solution for the neighborhood as a whole, I don’t trust the follow-through.

I don’t think I’m describing a gated community. I’m describing quality of life policing that upholds certain standards. I’m in a community now where a call to the police department regarding an inappropriately used lightbulb across the street that was flashing for hours like strobe light in our windows and slowing down passing cars resulted in a “did you try talking to your neighbor?” Keep in mind that this was at 9:30pm and was my wife calling. Contrast that to the town we last lived in (rented), where a call at night because someone put in a ridiculous amount of effort trying to pull his car into and park under the back of my building where there was no parking had the police at my door in 10 minutes looking out my bedroom window to survey the situation.

What makes matters worse? I live in a historic district and get notices in the mail to come and vote on whether so-and-so can paint their fence. My building waited months for approval on a new parking lot light (a safety feature) to replace one that had come down to make sure it met certain historic aesthetics. We knew about all of that before we moved in. We expected that to be reflected in other community standards. It’s not.

My point in this context isn’t just noise pollution. It’s conspicuous consumption and in-your-face behavior that runs contrary to what you’re trying to do constructively. When every positive step you take is countered by a negative step next door, it’s hard to contribute to a community’s momentum and make it a place where change happens for the better.

Mixed use is a great thing and was obviously my goal here. Mixed use neighborhoods should not mean one has to put up constantly with deliberately obnoxious behavior not just from passers-through, but from your own neighbors who share your street, and whose home you’ve never once disturbed.

]]> by: jacob http://modernhomesnewengland.com/how-not-to-build-green/#comment-11 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:46:35 +0000 http://modernhomesnewengland.com/how-not-to-build-green/#comment-11 I understand you're frustrations. We are building a home, grassrootsmodern.com, that is adjacent to a light rail station. Unfortunately this bring noise (mostly people yelling at each other) and people sleeping in the small lawn area next to our home. We are lucky enough that we are on somewhat of a dead end street and don't have a lot of traffic. It is very annoying that people do not consider noise pollution to be a problem. Unfortunately urban living demands that we be somewhat tolerant. I would not trade living a mile from work and good public transprtation access for a quiet neighborhood and a 40 minute commute. I do agree wiht your frustration but you are suggesting something like a gated community that would keep close tabs on noise and where you can park vehicles. I suggest getting to know you're neighbors and see if they can be more quiet at key times of the day. Good luck on finding a comfortable, responsible home. I understand you’re frustrations. We are building a home, grassrootsmodern.com, that is adjacent to a light rail station. Unfortunately this bring noise (mostly people yelling at each other) and people sleeping in the small lawn area next to our home. We are lucky enough that we are on somewhat of a dead end street and don’t have a lot of traffic. It is very annoying that people do not consider noise pollution to be a problem. Unfortunately urban living demands that we be somewhat tolerant. I would not trade living a mile from work and good public transprtation access for a quiet neighborhood and a 40 minute commute. I do agree wiht your frustration but you are suggesting something like a gated community that would keep close tabs on noise and where you can park vehicles. I suggest getting to know you’re neighbors and see if they can be more quiet at key times of the day. Good luck on finding a comfortable, responsible home.

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