Dunkerley Backs Down A Little On Unpopular Homeowner Proposal
In Fact Daily reports this morning that Austin City Council member Betty Dunkerley, due to retire later this month, is backing down on parts of an unpopular ordinance she has been pushing to mandate all new homebuyers to bear the cost of expensive modifications that would make their properties accessible to the disabled.
At a public hearing scheduled for Thursday at 6:00 PM in council chambers, Dunkerley says she will compromise on key components of her plan, which has been opposed by taxpayers, affordable housing advocates, homebuilders, and even members of the disabled community.
Supporters of the proposed ordinance include ADAPT, the activist group that often claims to speak for disabled citizens, and Dunkerley herself, who admits she welcomed ADAPT’s in put after spending weeks in a wheelchair when she broke her leg. Critics complain that the proposal was not thought through carefully and could increase the cost of a new home by tens of thousands of dollars.
What the council will do is anybody’s guess, although the Place 4 runoff election to replace Dunkerley has been dominated by a heated debate over similar proposals to require homeowners to get a certificate before selling their homes.
Posted on June 4, 2008 – 9:59 am by APR
3 Responses to “Dunkerley Backs Down A Little On Unpopular Homeowner Proposal”
It will be interesting to see if the other councilmen and councilwomen do the right thing for homeowners and kill this bad idea or decide to give Betty a going away present by passing some watered down version. If they pass this turkey, I hope none of them plan to run again. Or God forbid, try for higher office.
By Willis on Jun 4, 2008
while the ordinance idea may not be fully thought out, I find ABoR’s insistance that widening doors on homes not yet built would add $150,000 or more to the price of the home absolutely high-larious.
By jana on Jun 4, 2008
that is a new one, jana. hadn’t heard that before.I doubt anyone would say that. from what i have read, the mix of all the crap she wants them to add could cost the builder that much for production builder redesigns. that cost then gets parceled out, on top of other unintended costs this ordinance will cause, to the homebuyer.
it is more uselss crap our bored city council wants to do to us.
By austindownthedrain on Jun 4, 2008