Under the zoning laws of Metropolitan City, property developers are allowed to build residential high-rises with no height restrictions, allowing them to maximize the number of units per building. As developers rent individual units, the more units in a building, the more profitable it is. However, due to growing concerns about cityscape aesthetics and sunlight blockage, it seems inevitable that the city council will soon impose height restrictions on new buildings, limiting them to a percentage of the height of existing buildings in their vicinity.
Suppose a property developer in Metropolitan City wishes to minimize the impact on the profitability of future projects due to the anticipated height restrictions. If the developer could do any of the following and wants to select the most effective course of action, which should the developer do now?
(A) Plan to demolish older, shorter buildings in their portfolio if the restrictions take effect.
This is NOT the most effective course of action since it will involve demolition of older, shorter buildings, which will involve additional costs for demolition and reduction in rentals by reduction in the number of units per building.
Incorrect
(B) Secure long-term construction contracts at fixed costs for materials and labor.
This may be a good option if a lot of fresh construction is required to reduce materials and labor costs. But exact advantages of long-term construction contracts at fixed costs for material and labor can not be exactly predicted and may lead to losses also. Option D is definitely a better choice
Incorrect
(C) Invest in building technologies that allow for faster construction of high-rises.
This may save labor costs and time for construction of high-rises but according to new regulations height restrictions will be imposed on new buildings. Therefore, may not be the best option to minimise the impact on the profitability of future projects due to the anticipated height restrictions.
Incorrect
(D) Develop several taller buildings in areas currently without height restrictions.
Since the city council will soon impose height restrictions on new buildings, limiting them to a percentage of the height of existing buildings in their vicinity, property developer will develop several taller buildings in areas currently without height restrictions to minimise the impact on the profitability of future projects due to the anticipated height restrictions since height allowed for construction of high-rises as a percentage of height of existing taller buildings in vicinity will increase.
Correct
(E) Collaborate with other developers to lobby against the imposition of height restrictions.
Option D is a better choice than other options which will definitely benefit the property developers. Outcome of collaboration with other developers to lobby against the imposition of height restrictions is unclear and may not be beneficial.
Incorrect
IMO D