One of the great things about having a blog is being able to vent. In connection with an appraisal assignment I attempted to clarify a confusing issue regarding the new fresh market zoning bonus that was recently enacted. My question, in a C8-3 zone that permits a 2.0 commercial FAR and 6.5 for community facility uses, would the inclusion of a fresh market allow a commercial bonus in excess of the maximum 6.5 FAR, or additional commercial density within the 6.5 FAR? Kind of a technical question that was unclear (to me) from reading the ordinance. For clarification I called the zoning office and proceeded to have the most bizarre conversation that went something like this:
Me: Hi, I’d like to get some clarification on the fresh market bonus in a commercial zone.
Zoning: Fresh market bonus. What’s that?
Me: It’s a new zoning bonus that was recently approved.
Zoning: I don’t know about it. Did you try to find it in the ordinance? Do you know where it is?
Me: Yes. I read it and it’s confusing. It’s Article 6, Chapter 3, section 63-00.
Zoning: OK, Let me find it. We’ll read it together. What do you want to do on the property.
Me: I’m appraising the property so I want to understand the bonus.
Zoning (this is where it gets good): Appraising it? To appraise it you have to know about the zoning. How can you get the market value without knowing the zoning?
Me (starting to get impatient): Yes, I know. That’s why I’m calling you.
Zoning (being rude): You can’t just call zoning [That was my favorite part!]. You have to read everything and understand the zoning or how can you appraise it.
Me (starting to lose it): I read it and don’t understand it. That’s why I’m calling you. It’s clear that you can’t help me. Is there anyone there that would be familiar with this bonus that I can speak with?
Zoning (even ruder): Nobody here is going to talk to an appraiser (sneer…really!). Everyone is busy doing things. Nobody will talk to an appraiser. You have to read everything.
Me (convinced that I am on Candid Camera): Why is that? Are appraisers not worth their time?
Zoning (having had enough of me): They are too busy. I will read the zoning text with you. Hold on while it comes up on my computer.
At this point I hung up. And all I could think about is, with the drastic need to save taxpayer dollars, I have an excellent place to start!
