This is a question asked often by long time property owners.
There are several answers:
1) The owner of an existing modest home wants to expand, but encounters the reality of new flood elevation regulations and construction codes.
2) A builder/developer purchases an older home in a prime location and pays a premium for the land. Â The architect designs a home to take advantage of views and permitted square footage.
3) The current structure is a non-confirming use- for example a duplex in a residential zone. Â In order for the property owner to make any size changes (referred to as cubic content in the zoning laws), the building must convert to current zoning. Â The owners have to weigh the costs of a substantial remodel (typically including lifting the structure to meet elevation codes) versus building new.
Why So Many Demolitions?
This is a question asked often by long time property owners.
There are several answers:
1) The owner of an existing modest home wants to expand, but encounters the reality of new flood elevation regulations and construction codes.
2) A builder/developer purchases an older home in a prime location and pays a premium for the land. Â The architect designs a home to take advantage of views and permitted square footage.
3) The current structure is a non-confirming use- for example a duplex in a residential zone. Â In order for the property owner to make any size changes (referred to as cubic content in the zoning laws), the building must convert to current zoning. Â The owners have to weigh the costs of a substantial remodel (typically including lifting the structure to meet elevation codes) versus building new.