Steps Backward
April 25, 2007 by admin
Filed under Home & Living
You can be in your happy little place, feeling all warm and fuzzy. Things are changing, people are starting to open their eyes…
Then you read about a dumb-rich-ass.
[photo courtesy of LAtimes via Curbed]
Duane Hagadone residence above consumed over 62,000 square feet of land, on top of a ridge, overlooking a private golf course. Well now, the other residents of the Bighorn golf course in the Palm Desert are upset because he stole their view. What is more appalling is, according to the LA Times, “city officials” gave Hagadone an exemption from an ordinance that doesn’t allow hillside homes to be larger than 4,000 square feet. They based this exemption off of PRELIMINARY models.
Now the “city officials” are upset. They feel they have been dooped, because when they accepted the PRELIMINARY plans, they were only at 32,000 square feet. So now they have Hagadone cornered, because he has to go in front of the board and convince them not to make him tear out the additional 32,000 square feet. He convinced them.
Be mad at the city officials.
We will not change things, environmentaly, unless we penalize people for doing shit like this. People should be allowed a tax credit for living in a SMALL house. Then those living in a house over 5,000 square feet should have to pay a penalty.
That’s pathetic! And what a weird looking place. If he’s going to build something so massive by a golf course on a giant hill, he could of at least made it a little prettier or something. The houses you show on your blog are oh-so-very entertaining.
I would like to know how 1 large house is more damaging to the environment than 50 small ones. There are no facts or examples informing us (the readers) why this would be viewed as harmful.
Consider this, the larger house will use less energy, less water, create less garbage, and, therefore, make less of a negative environmental impact on the area.
There will only be 1-5 people using the areas resources, instead of 50-250 people using them. There will be no need to build more stores, parking lots, or gas stations, all of which would have an even greater negative effect on the environment, than a large house.
Consider the exhaust of 50 cars starting in the morning and driving to work (best case scenario as most home owners have 2-income households) compared to the 1 car starting. I realize that the owner of the 1 house may own 5 cars, but 1 person can only drive 1 car at a time.
Another point, I make less than 30k/yearly, but I would rather look at the house in the picture above than at a golf course. There is nothing to be outraged about, as far as I can tell from reading this diatribe.
Another point, what is wrong with being rich? It is their money, even if it is inherited, they haven’t stolen any of it. What is wrong with spending it in the (legal) manner they choose?
Do I have the right to say to you, here in this response, that you can’t criticize that man, or that you can’t hold him in disdain? No, because that would be an infringement of your rights. I can, however, disagree with you and make a case for my point of view. That is all you can do as well.
It may be wasteful or frivolous to someone like me (who is happy in a 1 bedroom apt.) or you to spend so much on a house, but to some people building their house is an expression of personal choice and freedom and it is also a dream. While it would be great for them to help the needy and unfortunate, it certainly should not be a requirement. No one, rich or poor, should be made to sacrifice (anything) for the benefit of others.
Being passionate about the environment and standing up for your beliefs are good, but it takes more than spouting an disapproving opinion to change the world; it takes rational objectivity and hard facts. Otherwise, the only accomplishment is one of spreading frustration, bitterness, and hopelessness. If you ask me, that’s not a change for the better.
Don’t like the house, don’t like the architecture, BUT it’s his money! He already pays a penalty, it’s called taxes. Lest anyone thing I’m defending my own wasteful ways, in a backhanded way, I’m currently building a less than 1500 s.f. house for myself. Why? Because that’s all I need.
this house is much nicer than u think . . . up close and walking threw them halls and bridges the house is very nice . . . dont know why people are mad u can bearly see it going up hwy 74 . . .