AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2006 > January > 30
Monday, January 30, 2006
Are we ready for McMansions?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was a couple of years ago I first heard the term “McMansions” — a derogatory reference to those who buy an older home, tear it down and replace it with a much larger domicile that doesn’t blend into the neighborhood.
At the time, the term also encompassed a lack of design character for most of these things. Indeed, where several McMansions were erected side by side, you could hardly tell the difference. It was as if the homes were stamped out with a cookie cutter.
And now the battle has been engaged in some in-town neighborhoods.
Homeowners are having some success in stalling the efforts of those who would plop a modern house check-by-jowl with restored, stately mature homes.
I understand their objections, but I can’t buy into them. They don’t want the character of their neighborhoods compromised and I get that. Builders truly don’t build ‘em like they used to, and that’s a shame.
There doesn’t appear to be much artistic craftsmanship going into new homes — even the seven-figure structures. Style points don’t seem to be the order of the day.
However, what bothers me about stopping such efforts is this: If a neighborhood has no existing covenants that prohibit the practice of McMansion-ing and there is no truly historic value to the home, the buyer should be able to build pretty much anything that passes existing building and zoning codes.
Coming in after the fact because a buyer’s plans don’t conform to a subjective standard is just wrong. And arrogant.
I hope my neighbor won’t paint her home Tweety-Bird yellow, but if she does I’ll just have to live with it. If I had a chance to talk her down from such a color, I’ll go for it but I wouldn’t go hysterically running to city hall demanding relief.
McMansions have been around Sandy Springs for a few years without much fuss. Possibly because the homes they have replaced are brick ranches, or tiny two-bedroom jobs that don’t have much in terms of artistic merit.
The home I live in is a textbook brick ranch, so typical of what the baby boomers were buying back in the late ’50s. Today these homes are a tough sell.
People are drawn to Sandy Springs because of its location, but not necessarily the homes themselves. The kitchens are too small, as are the master bed and bathrooms. Closet space is more plentiful in an RV. Even homes that have been modernized aren’t much of a draw, unless the changes included significant additions of space.
Last fall we talked about this issue and my sense is we Sandy Springsteens don’t really have our knickers in a twist over this issue. Or am I wrong?
Are we ready to welcome these cookie-cutter boxes?
Or do we believe the design of the homes in our neighborhoods have character?
Services »
