When did building green become controversial in Marin County?
Posted Oct 15, 2007 @ 12:39 pm, Viewed by 285 Visitors, Read 295 Times.
The town of Fairfax in Marin County has recently run up against an interesting problem. Builder Shane Deal wants to build a home that “will meet the platinum standards for green building” and his neighbors are up in arms. You’d think that in this very environmentally conscientious neighborhood they’d be ecstatic. Eco-friendly homes in Marin are all the rage. So – what, exactly, is the problem?
The house Deal proposes will have state-of-the-art solar water heating, photovoltaic cells on the roof, fly ash concrete, low-VOC nontoxic paint, and formaldehyde-free insulation. The house is designed to blend in with the surrounding hills and be maintenance-free. What’s not to like?
Well – the house is big. Really big by Fairfax standards. At 3,794 square feet, the house is twice the size of the other homes in the neighborhood and will block views of nearby Mount Tamalpais. Opponents to the project claim that Deal is exaggerating the greenness of the home to deflect attention away from the problems it will create. They are concerned over the impact it will have – not only on the environment, but on Fairfax California real estate in general.
Concerns voiced by neighbors and community members include the fact that such a large house will inevitably use more energy to heat than a smaller house, making its energy saving features less impressive and that building the house will use energy, regardless of the types of ecologically responsible materials used. Members of a local environmental group echo the community concerns, suggesting that even the greenest homes could pose environmental problems.
Neighbors have also suggested that Deal is a spec builder who will live in the house a couple of years, then sell it to turn a profit. This is no crime, but neighbors feel that both the community and the notion of sustainable building are being exploited.
Deal – who, incidentally lives in Fairfax and ironically was reappointed to the Fairfax Design Review Board last July – has agreed to downsize to 2,830 square feet and says he will support the community by purchasing materials locally and use local consultants whenever possible. He also states that he and his wife intend to live in the home. So far the neighborhood is having none of it.
The Fairfax Town Council will hear an appeal of the plans on Wednesday evening. It should be an interesting meeting!
The house Deal proposes will have state-of-the-art solar water heating, photovoltaic cells on the roof, fly ash concrete, low-VOC nontoxic paint, and formaldehyde-free insulation. The house is designed to blend in with the surrounding hills and be maintenance-free. What’s not to like?
Well – the house is big. Really big by Fairfax standards. At 3,794 square feet, the house is twice the size of the other homes in the neighborhood and will block views of nearby Mount Tamalpais. Opponents to the project claim that Deal is exaggerating the greenness of the home to deflect attention away from the problems it will create. They are concerned over the impact it will have – not only on the environment, but on Fairfax California real estate in general.
Concerns voiced by neighbors and community members include the fact that such a large house will inevitably use more energy to heat than a smaller house, making its energy saving features less impressive and that building the house will use energy, regardless of the types of ecologically responsible materials used. Members of a local environmental group echo the community concerns, suggesting that even the greenest homes could pose environmental problems.
Neighbors have also suggested that Deal is a spec builder who will live in the house a couple of years, then sell it to turn a profit. This is no crime, but neighbors feel that both the community and the notion of sustainable building are being exploited.
Deal – who, incidentally lives in Fairfax and ironically was reappointed to the Fairfax Design Review Board last July – has agreed to downsize to 2,830 square feet and says he will support the community by purchasing materials locally and use local consultants whenever possible. He also states that he and his wife intend to live in the home. So far the neighborhood is having none of it.
The Fairfax Town Council will hear an appeal of the plans on Wednesday evening. It should be an interesting meeting!
Rate this Post!
Share this Post
Print
Social BookmarkingThis Post Has No Comments.
REW Blogs User Stats
Currently Online Users:
0
Total Users:
1,874
Entries:
5,706
Unique Views:
3,233,916
Total Views:
3,372,598
Total Comments:
6,197
Leading resource for modern and architecturally distinct residential real estate in Marin and San Francisco, California. We specialize in Marin real estate as well as modern & mid-century modern homes throughout Northern California.
We provide our clients with an unsurpassed level of knowledge and experience when buying, selling or searching for unique modernist homes. Read More
Contact Me
RSS Feed- This User's Stats
-
Blog Entries: 60Average Blog Rating: 0Unique Views: 25,135Total Views: 26,360Comments Posted: 10Comments Received: 10
Top Rated
REW Blogs RSS Feed