Impacts of Increased Heights

There are not many upsides to increasing heights in established, historic, and iconic tourist destination neighborhoods, but the list is long on how it will threaten several characteristics of a community, impacting both its physical environment and community dynamics, including:

 

1. Character and Aesthetics: Taller buildings can alter the visual landscape of a neighborhood, clashing with existing architectural styles and potentially overshadowing historically and culturally significant structures.
    

2. Sunlight and Shadowing: Higher structures can cast longer shadows, affecting natural light availability in surrounding areas. This can impact both residential homes and public spaces like parks and gardens.
    

3. Privacy: Increased building heights can lead to a loss of privacy for existing residents, as new buildings may overlook homes and private spaces.
    

4. Traffic and Congestion: More residents and businesses in taller buildings can lead to increased traffic, parking difficulties, and overall congestion in the neighborhood.
    

5. Infrastructure Strain: Existing infrastructure, including sewage, water supply, and electrical systems, may become overburdened with the increased population density that comes with higher buildings.
    

6. Green Space and Environment: Taller buildings can lead to reduced green spaces, impacting local ecosystems and reducing areas for community recreation and relaxation.
    

7. Community Cohesion: Sudden changes in neighborhood layout such as a tall wall of buildings on Lombard dividing Marina and Cow Hollow populations can affect the sense of community and belonging among residents, potentially leading to a loss of neighborhood identity and cohesion.
    

8. Noise Levels: Higher-density living can result in increased noise pollution, affecting the quality of life for existing residents.
    

9. Wind Patterns: Tall buildings can alter local wind patterns, potentially making some areas more windy or unpleasant.
    

10. Property Values: The introduction of high-rise buildings can lead to fluctuating property values, potentially pricing out existing residents or changing the economic demographics of the area.
     

11. Local Businesses: Small, local businesses might struggle with the changed landscape and increased competition, potentially leading to a loss of local character and diversity in business offerings.