How allowing single-staircase buildings could change Virginia's housing market

[mahatmakanejeeves]

What's the worst that could happen?

HOUSING, WORKING & BUSINESS
COMMENTARY

How allowing single-staircase buildings could change Virginia’s housing market

WYATT GORDON
MAY 5, 2022 12:03 AM

Given the decades-long decline in new housing construction and the resultant skyrocketing of rents and home prices across the commonwealth, the need for more homes has become a consensus position in Virginia. However, even those who support increasing housing construction have mixed feelings about the dominant design of the times: 5-over-1 buildings — so named for the number of wood-framed residential floors over the concrete, often retail-filled ground floor.

Such massive, boxy apartment buildings are all too often the only type of structures developers are interested in erecting due to the demands of the state’s building codes. A proposal to alter such standards heard before a Department of Housing and Community Development building code stakeholder committee last month may soon offer alternatives. If a rule to allow new construction to have a single staircase up to six stories is approved, then smaller buildings that better foster community among residents could begin popping up in cities and towns across the commonwealth.

{snip}

[GoldandSilver]

1. Hey, for the sake of making money, let's build fire traps for people.

Great idea! (Said no one.)

[brush]

3. Am I reading this wrong? Would this lead to six-floor walk-up...

apartments, as there's no mention of elevators. And wouldn't developers avoid the expense of elevators?

[Phoenix61]

4. Why yes it seems it would. How fun grocery shopping would be.

Or imagine getting a stroller down or furniture up.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. The building would have to have elevators to comply with ADA.

The issue is that there's only one way out.

[brush]

6. For sure. I asked about elevators because there was no...

mention of elevators in the other, already existing buildings.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. It's probably a given that they are so equipped. NT

[brush]

8. Thanks for code info. Not up on them. Lived in NYC...

where walks-up were not uncommon , thus my question. Now thinking about it, they're probably pre-war buildings.

Moving back to my lane now.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. I didn't read the whole article. This looks like new construction or a rehab.

The big deal is that the code is being changed so that only one stairwell is deemed sufficient.

That's one more than were in operation at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory on March 25, 2011.

[brush]

10. God! That Shirtwaist Factory reference brings it sharply...

into focus as to what's at stake.

Edit the date though.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

11. Right. It is now being deemed okay to have one way out. That's going to be enough. NT