Avalon, a Victim of Its Own Success?

To the Editor: 
Many years ago, as young parents, we cobbled together enough money to buy a small Avalon home. It became our “happy place.” Avalon was a town where pleasant three-bedroom cottages and a family-friendly environment was the norm.
Things have changed since then, and the change has not all been for the better.
Over the years, bigger homes became standard. Now, it seems that the building boom has gotten out of hand.
Seven-bedroom mega mansions are shoehorned onto lots that once held modest ranchers. There is generally little room on the property to park the many cars that come with this size home.
And the trend continues.
On our street, there are four houses in some stage of construction, all mega mansions.
Parking that was once tight has now gotten to South Philly standards. I am sure we’ll soon see cars parked down the middle of the street.
Every house under construction needs a phalanx of workers. Where do they park? Anywhere, including in front of driveways or double-parked.
The builders leave vans, trucks, trailers, building equipment, and the ever-present dumpsters in the street taking up what little parking space exists.
Saws used for cutting any number of materials spew their effluent all over including pools and porches. Port-a-potties sit unpleasantly close to their neighbors’ homes.
Too many workers have little regard for the victims of their industry. They are on a mission and courtesy and consideration often takes a back seat.
A comparison of the building codes of Avalon and Stone Harbor is very instructive.
Stone Harbor has a thoughtful approach that recognizes the rights of the residents and builders. It also protects the sanctity of the summer months.  In Avalon, by contrast, pretty much anything is allowed by their vague and rather permissive “rules” that are more of a wish list than a code of regulations.
We need a far better-defined set of real regulations that respect the months of July and August and far more comprehensive enforcement of these rules.
I suggest that Avalon follow the same rules as Stone Harbor with additions that tie the number of off-street parking spaces to the number of bedrooms; require catchment bags for saws; limit how long equipment can be left on the street; require that dumpsters be placed on the property under construction and set appropriate penalties for violation.
I hope Avalon Borough Council will wake up and enact regulations that respect the rights of all, not just the builders.
We live in a great place that is the envy of most. Let’s not let it collapse under its own weight.