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New Urbanism in Portland Maine? Micro-housing, Carsharing and Other Trends

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A Portland developer hopes to cash in on the current appeal of chic city housing, with an innovative proposal for the corner of High and Danforth Streets. The building would contain 26 “micro units” – each 450 to 800 square feet – with shared lounges, laundry, and even guest rooms. One of the most intriguing features of the project is the concept of the condo owners sharing use of commonly-owned vehicles.

Publications as diverse as the Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic Monthly have noted the trend to “downsize” housing from the suburban McMansions that were built in the past 15 years to smaller spaces closer to town. The movement has been dubbed “micro-housing” by some, the “not so big house” by others.

Nudged by recent increases in home heating and gasoline costs, along with smaller household sizes as the Baby Boomer population pig pushes through the demographic python, many Americans are looking to downsize, and lots are looking to move closer to cities’ amenities, health care facilities and social life.

Which brings us back to the northeast corner of High and Danforth Streets in Portland, Maine.

Looking at this lot, it’s hard to imagine how one could squeeze 26 condo units (and the residents’ cars) onto it. The short answer is, it’s impossible, without thinking differently. Picture a building owned by an association of 20-somethings who may be buying their first real estate, and work within walking distance; older singles (50-60) attracted to downtown amenities; and out-of-towners seeking a Portland pied-à-terre. Imagine only 14 parking spaces under the building for those 26 units, two of which are for shared vehicles.

Green types applaud the project’s low-impact, pedestrian-centric design. Affordable housing fans like the promise of home ownership for those who might otherwise be shut out. New urbanists like the community orientation and the opportunity for people to walk to work, and “third places”. For developers, it allows maximum profit from a minimum parcel. And, because of the small sizes of the units, municipalities have considered variances to normal parking requirements.

For some people, this is a great idea. But it does pose some practical issues, not the least of which is how to insure them. More about that in our next post.

Questions about Maine condo insurance, homeowners insurance or Maine business property insurance? Want to get an insurance quote on your property? Contact Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance at 207-799-5541.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Maine if You’re Not in a Flood Zone?

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2008 was one of the wettest summers in Maine in 20 years. Several storms dumped more than an inch of rain each, causing flash flooding and washing out roads. This caused traffic accidents and property damage. This followed one of Maine’s snowiest winters, which caused massive flooding in Aroostook County.

Unfortunately, many people find out the hard way that Maine homeowners insurance, business property insurance and condo insurance policies do not cover flood damage. The most common provider for flood coverage in the U.S. is The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The product is sold by nearly every Maine insurance agency.

As many Mainers learned this summer, you don’t have to live next to a body of water to suffer from flooding. NFIP says that 25% of flood claims come from “low to moderate risk areas.”

Take a look at this video taken on Stevens Avenue in Portland taken earlier this month.

Note: Stevens Avenue in Portland is 100’ above sea level, flat, and miles from a body of water.

For those in special hazard zones, flood coverage can be expensive – often more than homeowners policies. Lenders usually require homeowners to purchase this coverage. Outside of these special hazard zones, the cost of flood coverage is much less – often as little as $200 per year.

For more information, contact your agent at Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance at 207-799-5541.

Alternative Heat: Burning Wood

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Rising heating oil prices have Mainers thinking about the cold of winter in the middle of summer. Firewood supplies are scarce, and prices high, the newspaper reported last week. Consumer advocates are warning about unscrupulous dealers and unsafe wood-burning practices. Even Gov. John Baldacci is using his bully pulpit to spread the word.

Maine insurance agents and companies have been concerned for a few years about the prospect of paying more Maine homeowners insurance claims due to fires caused by inexperienced woodstove operators. Presque Isle’s MMG Insurance has some of the best material, from a two-page brochure (pdf) to a 13 page manifesto (available upon request).

If you’re thinking of burning wood, check them out.

How to Get Golf Cart Insurance in Maine

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Higher fuel prices continue to inspire Americans to find another way to get from here to there. An Associated Press report in last week’s Press Herald talks about the growing use of golf carts as alternative transportation. Increased golf cart use has led to a corresponding increase in emergency room visits -12,000 a year – as energy-sipping buggies brave public roads with their larger, faster cousins.

Several Maine jurisdictions, including Chebeague Island, have passed ordinances allowing use of golf carts on some public roads, subject to restrictions. Some of our clients who live in these communities have been required to provide evidence of liability insurance in order to use their golf carts on local roads.

If it’s licensed for use on public roads, Maine Law requires the owner of any vehicle subject to registration for use on public roads to purchase liability insurance. Just one problem: homeowners policies only cover golf carts being used on your land, or when you’re actually playing golf (on a golf course!); and you can’t add a golf cart to a standard auto policy. What’s a frugal consumer to do?

Some insurers have introduced special policies, similar to motorcycle policies, for Maine golf cart insurance. They provide the liability and uninsured motorist coverage that are required by Maine Law. There have been some reports of agents issuing insurance ID cards for carts without the proper coverage. Make sure that you have a policy specifically listing your golf cart, and specifying that it covers use on public roads. Otherwise, if you become one of the 12,000, you might find your trip to the ER is even more expensive than you thought.

For more information from a Maine insurance agency about insuring a Maine golf cart, contact Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance at 207-799-5541.