Yesterday, a line in a story at Around Dublin and an anonymous comment there, caught my eye. The story covered an upcoming development in my neighborhood, and mentioned that the number of below-market-rate units in this new apartment building had been reduced by the City. The first comment blasted BMR in the rental context. And while I understand some of the sentiment in that comment, I felt compelled to respond. I am strong supporter of inclusionary mixed-use zoning, which means requiring developers to include a percentage of units in each building with a cost cap based on income criteria determined by the City.

I agree with the commenter that BMR units are best in the for-sale context. However, I think that impugning BMR residents wholesale is poor form indeed. I own a BRM unit. It’s what brought me to Dublin from the home I rented in Walnut Creek. It was a way to gain stability at a reasonable price, and the City sharply limits any prospect of me making a significant return on a sale within 55 years.

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