Is this what Greater Greater Washington has in mind?

From an entry today:

"Right to enjoy her property": Upset about a pending teardown and building of a new "McMansion" near her Chevy Chase (MD) home, one woman is threatening to sue. Chevy Chase had a moratorium on teardowns from 2005 to 2006. According to the Gazette article, "she will defend her right to enjoy her property, as well as the tree canopy and green space in the neighborhood." I'm all for enjoying property, trees and green space, but the right not to have a big house next door is not a legal right courts ought to invent. (In fairness to the potential plantiff, reporters get legal issues wrong all the time, so this might not be her actual grounds for a suit.) If Chevy Chase does't want McMansions, they can pass zoning laws against them.

From the Washington Post, by Michael Williamson. 9/13/05 -- Residents of Chevy Chase (Maryland) grapple with smaller homes being torn down to make way for very large homes. The Town of Chevy Chase has imposed a moratorium in hopes of getting the issue under control. Pictured: This very large newer home in the 6800 block of East Ave. dwarfs the older home at left. It's this type of size extremes that has some residents wanting curbs on the building of over-size houses.

This is the crux of the matter for why the creation of a historic district in Chevy Chase DC is worthy of consideration. And why there should be urban design and neighborhood character guidelines in place whether or not a neighborhood is designated as a "historic district."

It happens that two doors over from me, a former 1.5 story bungalow, albeit not in great condition, is in the process of being supersized into the equivalent of a cheap suburban tract house. The impact on us and our house isn't that great because it's a couple doors over, but I must say it is butt ugly and emphasizes the point that most small builders don't have much knowledge or interest in architectural styles, neighborhood character, craftsmanship, and design.


Postcard, Chevy Chase, Maryland.


Chevy Chase (Maryland) history book (published by the Maryland Historical Trust).