All Forum Posts by: Seth Borman

I would challenge your assumptions about auto requirements. Eventually LA is going to get dense. It would be better to do so in a way that makes cars less necessary. Reducing parking requirements would be a good first step in that process.

I can't speak to the rest of what you have written.

Last two boundary and topo surveys were just over $2,000 each for 3-5 lots.

Buildings from that era are typically very efficient. They were designed before AC, so you couldn't just turn a dial to make the building comfortable.

Look into insulating the roof, installing a more efficient heating system, improving your water heater(s) and adding VRFs for air conditioning.

I'm well sold on the advantages of efficiency but others aren't so keep that in mind as you read the replies.

People are spending a lot of money to make MF (especially condos and co-ops) quiet. Technically is isn't hard, it just takes some details that most people leave out.

Google STC ratings and look at different details showing cross sections of the wall. A very well soundproofed apartment will have a two layers of drywall with insulation in between and acoustic pads wrapped around the electrical outlets and light switches.

If you buy it as two SFRs on one lot, which it is, I don't think you'll go wrong.

What municipality is this? 

ADUs, by definition, have a kitchen. There is no replacement for looking up the city zoning code and seeing what it says. Key differences from a duplex often include the use of a side sewer, the lack of an individual meter for utilities, and the disparity in permitted size. ADUs are typically not allowed with MF properties.

We have a letter from the City of Lakewood indicating that we have a legal nonconforming use for one of our properties. Keeps everything kosher. I suspect that this isn't as easy a fix.

Your local utility may offer steep discounts on water saving fixtures. It could be part of a larger program to reduce expenses and pass along costs.