Zero-Lot Homes Growing in Popularity
U.S. Census data indicates that the median lot size for a new single-family house has declined from 9,750 square feet in 1992 to 8,612 sq. ft. last year. At the same time, however, floor space in new homes grew slightly. "The consumer is willing to accept smaller lot size . . . but not smaller homes," explains Gopal Ahluwalia, vice president of research at NAHB. Given this American desire for more living space, which clashes with the shrinking availability of single-family urban lots in this country, zero-lot line homes are becoming increasingly popular. More and more home owners — especially baby boomers whose children have struck out on their own and busy young professionals — no longer have the time or inclination to maintain a big back yard and instead are turning to residences built directly on the edge of the lot's outer perimeter. These properties tend to have small front or back yards and just a thin strip of grass as a side yard; and they generally are built only about 10 feet apart with a shared fence separating them. The choice of floor plans for this brand of homes is expanding, according to industry insiders, but living in a zero-lot home is not for everyone. Experts say prospective buyers should take into consideration the fact that they will have less privacy and less room for children or pets to play. Their side view most likely will be limited to a tall fence, the wall of their neighbor's house and possibly even a view into their neighbor's windows. Moreover, the close proximity of the homes increases the risk of fires spreading. One solution to address the lack of privacy, at least, is to purchase a zero-lot property that has staggered windows or privacy fences; or consider putting up plantation shutters of heavy window treatments.
(www.shns.com)
Scripps Howard News Service (08/28/03) McLinden, Steve
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Going Green on Top
Green roofs — also known as living roofs — feature thin gardens that lower building temperatures in hot cities while absorbing and filtering rainwater to minimize pollution and erosion in water systems. Some green roofs are used as gathering places, while others are meant to be admired from afar or intended only for their functional uses. The roofs are layered with copper and a gel to capture rainwater for use by the sedums and other plants that do not set deep roots or require a significant amount of rain and soil. Most importantly, the roofs must have adequate drainage systems to keep plants alive during downpours and avoid the problems associated with ponding water. Industrial, commercial, government and multifamily buildings are good candidates for green roofs; but they also can be placed on top of single-family homes with the use of costly, sophisticated hardware and pre-grown plants. Though these roof-top gardens cost 30% more than standard bitumen roofs, they have longer lives because damaging ultraviolet rays do not touch the roofing material. (www.washingtonpost.com)
Washington Post (08/28/03) P. H1; Higgins, Adrian
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Commission Seeks Limits on Future Cul-de-Sacs
Commissioners in Lawrence, KS, want to replace cul-de-sacs with linear streetscapes in order to foster relationships among neighbors. "They [cul-de-sacs] certainly are inconsistent with the traditional 'front porch' idea of a neighborhood," remarks Commissioner David Schauner. To minimize battles between developers and residents, commissioners also say neighborhood associations should be forced to take part in the planning process. Energy conservation laws for new buildings and additional bike and pedestrian paths are among the city commission's other goals. (www.ljworld.com)
Lawrence Journal-World Online (08/28/03) Golimowski, Jeff
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Popularity of SUVs Driving Larger Home-Garage Trend
Now that sport utility vehicles are gaining in popularity, the standard two-car, 21-foot-by-21-foot garage is no longer large enough to accommodate a family's vehicles. Although Cadillac Escalades, H2 Hummers and other SUVs actually can fit in the traditional garage, their massive size leaves home owners little leftover space for bicycles, lawnmowers, work benches, sports equipment and other items. A growing number of custom-home builders are responding by making three-car, 22-foot-by-22-foot garages with nine-feet-high door openings the new standard. If there is room on the lot, home owners can add an unattached three-car garage as well. Builders can even make luxury, two-story garages with hydraulic lift systems to easily accommodate four cars, but most home owners would find it cost-effective to simply purchase more land and expand. (www.nashville.bcentral.com)
Nashville Business Journal Online (08/25/03) Batchelor, Ken; Untermeyer, Charlie
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Straw Bales Make Cozy Walls
Straw bale homes, using either a load-bearing design or a post-and-beam configuration, represent an energy-efficient alternative to traditional stick-built dwellings. The bales are placed in the walls for insulation, significantly lowering utility bills, and covered with plaster. However, the straw must be kept dry; large overhangs can be used to safeguard against water damage. The addition of radiant floor heating, large windows and energy-saving appliances, among other components, can maximize the home's energy-efficiency. Straw homes also are quite affordable, with the bales costing only several hundred dollars. (www.sunspot.net)
Baltimore Sun (08/24/03) P. 6L; Stacy, Cindy
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The Dirt on Mudrooms
Today's mudrooms, also called family workshops or home information centers, are no longer small areas or "back halls" where family members rid themselves of dirty shoes. They are now separate rooms where members of a household store sports equipment and other items, leave messages and even lounge on window seats to relax. Experts attribute the trend to low interest rates, which have made the cost of adding a mudroom only slightly more expensive than floor plans that do not include one; the need for a room between the home and the garage; less space in the laundry room; and the desire for more belongings. Modern mudrooms can incorporate top-quality architecture; hardwood, tile, limestone or slate floors; radiant floor heating; sinks; pet-cleaning areas; message boards; seating areas; fireplaces; closets; and storage lockers. Some builders are even making the mudroom — which usually provides access to a back or side entrance to the home — a standard amenity. (www.chicagotribune.com)
Chicago Tribune (08/22/03) P. 1; Buchholz, Barbara Ballinger
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Cities Provide Incentives to Increase Urban Multifamily Development
Across the country, cities are providing a wider range of tax, economic, financial and regulatory incentives in an effort to boost multifamily housing development in urban settings — which ordinarily presents financing challenges. Demand for central business district space is largely being driven by working professionals who want to be closer to where they work downtown. A growing number of empty nesters who have the desire to live closer to city activity and cultural outlets also are fueling the increased interest in rental apartments located in central business districts. Such cities as Dallas, Denver and St. Louis have even gone so far as to develop downtown historic districts, with developers utilizing special tax credits to purchase historic properties for multifamily adaptive reuse projects. Such efforts preserve the exterior façade of the buildings but completely redesign and upgrade the interiors. Other cities are stepping up their efforts to attract more middle- and high-income individuals to live in the city. Among the incentives now being offered are increased parking allowances. (www.ccim.com)
Commercial Investment Real Estate (08/03) Vol. 22, No. 4, P. 8; Cassidy, Mark H.; Ausburn, John R.
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Small Businesses Adopting Residential Broadband?
ACNielsen and Pacific Internet, an Australian Internet provider, recently teamed up to evaluate how small companies in Australia use high-speed Internet access. The broadband barometer study estimated that 206,780 out of 655,000, or 41%, small companies had access to high-speed Internet as of June 2003. "It suggests that, despite popular opinion, small businesses are decisive and swift when assessing and adopting new technologies," says Pacific Internet Australia Managing Director Dennis Muscat. Among businesses with 20 to 49 employees, DSL boasted 49% penetration, compared to 8% for cable. Nevertheless, for firms with five or fewer employees, dial-up was the most favored method of connectivity, with DSL penetration at 18% and cable penetration at 17%; satellite connectivity was the least adopted technology. Muscat notes that because of small office/home office (SOHO) installations, "there is little differentiation between home and business connectivity needs." The survey also indicated that city and rural businesses tend to use broadband differently — 76% of small city-based firms used firewalls, compared to 67% of rural firms. City-based firms also implemented more virtual private networking and remote access, even though these technologies may be more essential in rural areas. (www.pbimedia.com)
Broadband Business Report Online (08/26/03) Vol. 13, No. 17
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The Threat's in the E-mail
Business productivity can be enhanced by the Internet and e-mail, but productivity losses can result if companies do not include Internet and e-mail access in their network security plans. To safeguard against security breaches, experts urge companies to use layered technology; install anti-spam filters; create acceptable-use policies to cut down on the amount of time employees spend managing junk mail; and implement filters that prevent workers from accidentally or deliberately leaking critical information. Virus scanners should also be used to keep costly viruses from wreaking havoc. (www.washington.bcentral.com)
Washington Business Journal Online (08/25/03) Trudeau, Paris
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Xerox Hologram-Like Discovery May Aid Security of Documents
Often companies resort to the use of holograms and watermarks to authenticate their documents, symbols and devices that cannot be merely copied with a scanner or copier, but Xerox is about to go one step further with Glossmark. The newest technique will be incorporated into laser printers, allowing companies to mark their documents with hologram-like images on their documents, which only appear when viewing the page at certain angles. If the new device is successful, companies will no longer have to have paper custom made to prevent illegal reproductions or forgeries. The new printers would allow smaller companies to have the same protections as larger corporations, and Xerox is hoping that the new discovery will spur its sales and market share in spite of the faltering economy. Glossmark can be personalized, according to Xerox scientists, but the product is still in the developmental stage, and the company hopes to develop strategies to keep the new technology out of the hands of counterfeiters. (www.wsj.com)
Wall Street Journal (08/27/03) P. B3B; Fuscaldo, Donna
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