James Lloyd
@jamesmlloyd.bsky.social
Director of Planning and Investigations for the California Housing Defense Fund (calhdf.org), retired naval officer, & rescue dog owner.
I was on a jury once with an MTA worker whose job was to walk the tracks and pick up trash. He loved jury duty and had been on 10+ juries. Only time in his working life that he got to go to work during the day and not work in hazardous conditions.
December 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
I was on a jury once with an MTA worker whose job was to walk the tracks and pick up trash. He loved jury duty and had been on 10+ juries. Only time in his working life that he got to go to work during the day and not work in hazardous conditions.
In most of the city, the rezoning only allows density decontrol if you opt into the local bonus program. That means that DBL is not available in those areas (nor are several other state law programs). This means that the City is attempting to create "state law free" zones.
December 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM
In most of the city, the rezoning only allows density decontrol if you opt into the local bonus program. That means that DBL is not available in those areas (nor are several other state law programs). This means that the City is attempting to create "state law free" zones.
We appreciate your support!
December 2, 2025 at 7:05 PM
We appreciate your support!
Fun fact: zoning was invented to get immigrant garment workers away from 5th Ave.
c250.columbia.edu/dkv/eseminar...
c250.columbia.edu/dkv/eseminar...
The Reinvention of New York
c250.columbia.edu
November 23, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Fun fact: zoning was invented to get immigrant garment workers away from 5th Ave.
c250.columbia.edu/dkv/eseminar...
c250.columbia.edu/dkv/eseminar...
Assuming private open space is impractical on high rises, the City is charging 40k/unit in open space fees plus about 10k in art fees. Eliminating both of those would go a long way to promoting housing where the City needs it most.
November 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Assuming private open space is impractical on high rises, the City is charging 40k/unit in open space fees plus about 10k in art fees. Eliminating both of those would go a long way to promoting housing where the City needs it most.
Subtext: disallow the particular aspects of developments that make them financially feasible.
October 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Subtext: disallow the particular aspects of developments that make them financially feasible.
I don't see sprinklers - am I missing something?
October 29, 2025 at 12:42 AM
I don't see sprinklers - am I missing something?
Here at @housingdefense.bsky.social we use www.listenpublic.com to monitor council agendas across the state and it works really well
Listen Public
Government Observability
www.listenpublic.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Here at @housingdefense.bsky.social we use www.listenpublic.com to monitor council agendas across the state and it works really well
the inspections have become progressively more stringent. Also, as DOB will show you, they are indeed doing repairs that also don't meet code
July 23, 2025 at 6:36 PM
the inspections have become progressively more stringent. Also, as DOB will show you, they are indeed doing repairs that also don't meet code
Traditional bricks. And with that answer you've exhausted my knowledge on the subject. DOB has a huge slide deck of every disaster imaginable from brick curtain walls not installed correctly.
July 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Traditional bricks. And with that answer you've exhausted my knowledge on the subject. DOB has a huge slide deck of every disaster imaginable from brick curtain walls not installed correctly.
They have to do take out a section of bricks or use a boroscope to see if the brick ties have been installed properly as part of the five-year LL11 inspections. It's expensive and often the brick ties were not installed to code by the masons.
July 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
They have to do take out a section of bricks or use a boroscope to see if the brick ties have been installed properly as part of the five-year LL11 inspections. It's expensive and often the brick ties were not installed to code by the masons.
It's because brick curtain walls keep moisture away from the structure underneath. Of course often the brick ties aren't installed properly, and LL11 inspections/repairs are horrendously expensive. As you know, Type 3/5 construction is effectively banned in NYC, so it's a different regime.
July 23, 2025 at 9:12 AM
It's because brick curtain walls keep moisture away from the structure underneath. Of course often the brick ties aren't installed properly, and LL11 inspections/repairs are horrendously expensive. As you know, Type 3/5 construction is effectively banned in NYC, so it's a different regime.
what's happening now?
June 27, 2025 at 6:02 AM
what's happening now?
what's happening now?
June 27, 2025 at 5:49 AM
what's happening now?
I'm following along at home, thanks for live posting!
June 27, 2025 at 4:27 AM
I'm following along at home, thanks for live posting!
the most dangerous reporters in the state, I'm telling you
June 15, 2025 at 3:39 AM
the most dangerous reporters in the state, I'm telling you
The MTA is not capable of keeping those elevators in good repair. They need to bite the bullet and have stairs/escalators, or move the station.
June 3, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The MTA is not capable of keeping those elevators in good repair. They need to bite the bullet and have stairs/escalators, or move the station.
It does if it's some sort of federal undertaking. Section 8 new construction can trigger NEPA. Check out the LAHD's page on NEPA:
housing.lacity.gov/partners/nep...
housing.lacity.gov/partners/nep...
NEPA Review – LAHD
housing.lacity.gov
May 30, 2025 at 4:50 AM
It does if it's some sort of federal undertaking. Section 8 new construction can trigger NEPA. Check out the LAHD's page on NEPA:
housing.lacity.gov/partners/nep...
housing.lacity.gov/partners/nep...
Different cities structure subsidy in different ways. In NYC, the city subsidy is subordinate debt that accumulates deferred interest, but is never actually paid back, as principal/ interest would be a giant balloon payment. In practice, it's always refinanced to preserve the affordability.
May 29, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Different cities structure subsidy in different ways. In NYC, the city subsidy is subordinate debt that accumulates deferred interest, but is never actually paid back, as principal/ interest would be a giant balloon payment. In practice, it's always refinanced to preserve the affordability.
how has this thread missed the fact that my hometown has a pawpaw festival every year:
ohiopawpawfest.com
ohiopawpawfest.com
Ohio Pawpaw Festival
ohiopawpawfest.com
May 16, 2025 at 6:16 AM
how has this thread missed the fact that my hometown has a pawpaw festival every year:
ohiopawpawfest.com
ohiopawpawfest.com
Glad we could help!
April 9, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Glad we could help!
Not to our knowledge. We send these letters to inform cities of their duties and also to establish standing in case litigation is ever required.
April 1, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Not to our knowledge. We send these letters to inform cities of their duties and also to establish standing in case litigation is ever required.