Rising home prices are causing a spike in teardowns, especially in LA's richest neighborhoods, says the LA Times. They found that last year there were 1,227 city-approved teardowns—29 percent higher than 2012's total (at housing-bubble height in 2006, there were 3,000). Living next to one of these many construction sites is like having "an earthquake in your living room — for six hours a day," one Manhattan Beach resident says. The demolition frenzy is also stirring the anti-mansionization pot. There's a citywide ordinance that's already in effect to protect neighborhoods from sprawling McMansions (it limits how big new houses can be in comparison to their lots, but it doesn't include any requirements on style, meaning a cute cottage can be replaced by a multi-story monster that robs neighbors of views, light, and ever-important privacy). "I am at the point now I have to make sure I am decently clothed to cross my backyard," one man complained, referring to the two-story, luxury peep-haven that was built next door to his home near the Beverly Center (where this is a hot topic). Manhattan Beach, meanwhile, is considering stricter guidelines about what can be built, taking into account the style of the neighborhood's other homes.
· Housing Tear-downs on the Rise as Real Estate Rebounds [LA Times]
· Anti-Mansionization [Curbed LA]
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