" But, I think it is crazy to IMPOSE limits on people who bought their homes with no expectation of limits beyond those that existed at purchase." [Katherine Costello]
All zoning and L&I regulations change over time, no matter when you buy a property. The building code is updated every 2 yrs, if I recall correctly. (It might be every 3 or 4 yrs). The BOCA building code, the plumbing code, the electrical code, the fire code, etc. are all governed by professional organizations that publish these codes. [ I have outdated copies of all of them (and they are fairly expensive)]. Municipalities such as Philadelphia adopt these codes and the periodic revisions. They also add their own "twists" to them. These codes change constantly. There is no expectation that "time stands still" for compliance with these regulations (usually enforced by L&I). If you are doing new work to your property (no matter when you bought it), you are required to comply with the NEW regulations for the portion of your property that is being modified. The enforcement only "kicks in" when you obtain a building permit, plumbing permit, etc. So, Katherine, I would argue that our "limits" are constantly being changed re: L&I regulations. Zoning normally does not change (to my knowledge) without hearings, etc. But, again, there is no inalienable right to the specific zoning classification you had when you bought your property. And, zoning variances are issued all the time. The variance on one property could negatively (or positively) influence the value or liveability of neighboring properties. You could oppose (i.e. fight) a variance granted on a neighboring property, but you might not win. So, the zoning around you is not necessarily fixed in time, either. The only way you can avoid changes in "limits beyond those that existed at purchase" is to not buy property. And, the constant reiteration of the idea that the Hist. Comm. COULD regulate paint color is a "red herring" of tremendous proportions. We're beyond "herring". We're talking "deep-sea fishing". There is no specific regulation that says L&I can't regulate color, either. Or, your front-yard plantings. Hundreds of other things are not specifically stated as off-limits for L&I regulation. Why would L&I and the Hist. commission ever want to get into regulating the colors of your house? Common sense says that these people have enough to worry about without adding "paint color" to their duties. The basic structural appearance and component details that make the structures unique or "of-a-style" has always been the focus of historic district regulations. If paint color is controlled in other districts, that is the way they chose to do it. We don't live there. Neil Lifson ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
