I’m a small developer. If you ~actually~ care about this issue then you should care about:
-Legalizing single stair buildings.
-Elevator reform.
-Building code reforms so small buildings aren’t treated identically in process and requirements to massive 200 unit ones.
-Finance reforms to improve capitals access for smaller projects, including the expansion of community banks and CDFIs.
The next niche code reform around housing, urban affordability, etc needs to be the creation of a Middle Building Code.
Some starting thoughts:
-12 unit buildings should not be treated the same as 120 unit ones.
-loading small buildings with the same requirements as large has destroyed the ability to build family-friendly urban infill.
-the costs and timelines of doing so has driven local small development nearly extinct, encouraging institutional, generic, BIG development. code has killed localism.
-this is a crucial first step towards addressing other obstacles for owner-occupied urban housing related to finance, condo liability laws, etc.