George Lucas does something I don't have to hate him for

[shmokes]

This is awesome.

In a nutshell, Lucas has been trying for the last 25 years to build a huge movie studio on his 300,000 acres of Marin County land, but his rich neighbors have opposed him every step of the way. They want to expand the community with just more residential. He finally gave up on his movie studio plans, so to stick it to his rich neighbors he's instead turning the 300,000 acres into low income housing. "If everyone feels that housing is less impactful on the land, then we are hoping that people who need it the most will benefit."

Essentially: Oh . . . you don't want my movie studio in your back yard? Let's see how you feel about poor people moving in instead.

[CCM]

I'm not rich and I wouldn't want a business starting up in my backyard...  Our yard backs up to some nice woods that are not owned by me.   If the owner decided to build a business or even sell off the land for housing I would fight it every step of the way, or more likely I would try and buy the land myself to insure that nothing would ever be built on it!   I love the privacy we have now and wouldn't want to lose it. 

[shmokes]

It's not that I care one way or the other whether Lucas builds his little studio. I'm just get a kick out of how diabolical his revenge was.

[opt2not]

Naw he's still a --cream-filled twinkie--.

[CheffoJeffo]

I'm with shmokes on this, but that could be because I am tired of folks behaving like they are the ones who own my property and that somehow my doing what I want with my stuff is a grand inconvenience to them.

If you want to control what happens on my land, then pay for it. Otherwise, STFU.

[drventure]

I dunno, but 300,000 acres is an awfully big slice of land. I'd be surprised if the neighbors would even be able to SEE whatever studio he was planning to build from their own lots, that is unless he planned on building it right on the edge of his property, right up against his neighbors.

I'm also really surprised that, given that size of acreage, there's any kind of zoning in place at all. Usually at that scale, you're talking farm or ranch land, which tends to be just about anything goes.

But, he's in California right? That'd explain it 

[CheffoJeffo]

I think shmokes misquoted the size of the property, although it is called Lucas Valley, so maybe is that big.

[Malenko]

I think shmokes misquoted the size of the property, although it is called Lucas Valley, so maybe is that big.

the article stated

 "According to the San Francisco Chronicle, for four decades Lucas has owned a large swath of land in Marin County in the North San Francisco Bay and has spent the past few years trying to transform the ranch on it into a massive, nearly 300,000 square foot, state-of-the-art movie studio."

That awkward moment when you realize an acre is slightly bigger than a square foot?

[drventure]

Yeah, just checked wikipedia. The ranch itself is about 4700 acres. Big, definitely, but not 300,000 acres...

[shmokes]

Lol . . . 300,000 acres would be a fairly large piece of real estate.

[Vigo]

Yawn....Georgie might have had plans for 25 years, but it wasn't until April 2012 that the nearby neighborhood association filed an appeal after the Lucas filed permits to begin with plans this year. Georgie is just being a crybaby diva about the whole thing, and I wouldn't be surprised if it is all a bluff to get everyone to rally to his cause. Play the martyr a while and people jump out in the street for you. The Owner of the MN Vikings threatened to move the team to LA last year, now the state is fighting to built him a stadium. Its all a game.

All of Lucas's lawyers vs 1 appeal filed by a neighborhood association, with the country promising to side with him fight for his position. Also the fact that he within his legal right to build. Hrm.....real tough legal battle for Lucas.   

Anyway, anybody who fights to keep Georgie from churning more crappy movies out every week is alright by my book. 

[drventure]

Lol . . . 300,000 acres would be a fairly large piece of real estate.

Esp in california.

T Boone pickens has a huge ranch in N texas, but it's +only+ 68,000 acres 

[CheffoJeffo]

I'll disagree with Vigo on this -- what is sad isn't that Lucas has a huge legal machine, but rather that some crotchety ---smurfette--- can yell at him about his own lawn and ---fudgesicle--- everything up.

An interesting question comes to mind ... and may get this kicked to PnR ... how the hell is it that the land of the free became the "land of the free, so long as you mow your lawn in a manner that we approve of" ?

I have heard tell of these Homeowners Associations that wreak havoc with people's lives for simply not complying,

[HaRuMaN]

It's simple, you don't like the HOA & its rules, you are free to buy property elsewhere.

[shmokes]

I hate that. It's not remotely that simple.

[ark_ader]

Well it is well known that George has a pretty good memory for those who do not work well/for with him. 

Just ask John Dykstra.

[Vigo]

I'll disagree with Vigo on this -- what is sad isn't that Lucas has a huge legal machine, but rather that some crotchety ---smurfette--- can yell at him about his own lawn and ---fudgesicle--- everything up.

An interesting question comes to mind ... and may get this kicked to PnR ... how the hell is it that the land of the free became the "land of the free, so long as you mow your lawn in a manner that we approve of" ?

I have heard tell of these Homeowners Associations that wreak havoc with people's lives for simply not complying,

Well, I do actually agree with you about his land rights, but I just see it as much more of a game he is playing. I guess I more expect that something as big as a movie studio should expect to run into every little group put up a fight. Unfortunately, litigation and court crap is the norm. I just feel that Lucas is turning this buzzing of flies from the HOA into his personal platform to gain support for his cause. It just annoys me.

I see it as no different as when a Walmart moved into my hometown, like many places everyone in town gave them grief and delayed their progress as much as possible. Then the Walmart played the class game about the super wealthy being the ones to blame, keeping low income shopping options out of their neighborhood and threatened to sell the land off to some gravel company which was previously going to be way back behind the Walmart. Suddenly, a Walmart didn't look so bad.

[Le Chuck]

I'll disagree with Vigo on this -- what is sad isn't that Lucas has a huge legal machine, but rather that some crotchety ---smurfette--- can yell at him about his own lawn and ---fudgesicle--- everything up.

An interesting question comes to mind ... and may get this kicked to PnR ... how the hell is it that the land of the free became the "land of the free, so long as you mow your lawn in a manner that we approve of" ?

I have heard tell of these Homeowners Associations that wreak havoc with people's lives for simply not complying,

Freedom is a construct based on the social contract.  The Founding Fathers purposefully changed Life Liberty and Property to Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Your freedom to mow your yard with kerosene ends at my property values.

[opt2not]

I have no problems with people wanting to  do whatever to their own property, AS LONG as it does not encroach or negativity effect the community around them.  For example, I have a great view of the mountains and downtown Vancouver, but if some ---uvula--- or property company wanted to plop a sky-rise right in front of that view, you can bet your arse there will be hell to pay. There's fire in hell yeah?  Yeah I'd pay with that.

But then, to go and state that he's raising low-income housing, not for helping or supporting the poor but in an act of spite...that's just sickening. George Lucas, you truly are the lowest form of life, and if I ever get to meet you I would go straight to punching you right in the cock.

[shmokes]

Lol . . . lighten up. It's hilarious.

[Vigo]

I heavily believe in property rights, but agree there should always be boundaries. Since I don't live there, I can't say what has and hasn't been crossed. Generally speaking, you would hope that the city/country elected officials is doing it's job on behalf of the voters to see to it that nothing gets approved unless it doesn't negatively affect the neighborhood. Money gets passed under the table though, and wouldn't put Lucas above doing that.

IBut then, to go and state that he's raising low-income housing, not for helping or supporting the poor but in an act of spite...that's just sickening. George Lucas, you truly are the lowest form of life, and if I ever get to meet you I would go straight to punching you right in the cock.

Maybe at least punch number #3. Punch #1 would be for the prequels, Punch #2 would be for special edition. 

[CheffoJeffo]

It's simple, you don't like the HOA & its rules, you are free to buy property elsewhere.

What happens (honest question) when the HOA changes the rules after you have bought ?

[drventure]

HOA's often suffer the same problems as any situation where you give a little authority to people who would otherwise have none. They loose all sense of reason, and end up making decisions that have less to do with the collective of home owners and more to do with their own property or concerns.

We had several issues around here along those lines. The HOA where my parents live is the same way.

Heck, there was a fairly well published story of an HOA that essentially took a soldier's house from he and his family. They eventually got it back, but seriously?

[Le Chuck]

It's simple, you don't like the HOA & its rules, you are free to buy property elsewhere.

What happens (honest question) when the HOA changes the rules after you have bought ?

Anything built within the stipulations of the covenants that the time of construction will be legal under those covenants even if the covents are revised to prohibit further similar construction.  All new construction must be within the current covenants.  Changes to the covenants must undergo a public notification and scrutiny period during which home owner can bring concerns before the HOA.  Once the upated covenants are on file with the local Probate office then they are binding.  If they aren't on file then they don't mean a thing.  Part of buying a land in a subdivision is an agreement to keep the land in accordance with the covenants. 

If there are no covenants on file when you purchase but a developer later registers the covenants at probate I am curious if those can be legally binding.  If not binding for the current owner will they be binding for subsequent purchasers?  Who's a probate lawyer in here?

[CCM]

I'm with shmokes on this, but that could be because I am tired of folks behaving like they are the ones who own my property and that somehow my doing what I want with my stuff is a grand inconvenience to them.

If you want to control what happens on my land, then pay for it. Otherwise, STFU.

Are you one of those neighbors with cars up on blocks and old washing machines in the front yard?

[geomartin]

Typical California politics!  I'm a long time resident and my perspective is this.  In a state with over 11% unemployment, the residents of a community refusing to alllow a 300,00 sf movie studio that would employ hundreds, if not thousands of people makes no sense.  No wonder CA business is fleeing to NV, TX and other more sensible states at an alarming rate.

[Gray_Area]

Why does Lucas want to build a studio?

[pointdablame]

Why does Lucas want to build a studio?

Probably to make movies.

[Le Chuck]

Why does Lucas want to build a studio?

He's found his new career, costumed senior pictures for high schoolers.  Jar jar binksy in the hizzy

[lanman31337]

Why does Lucas want to build a studio?

He's found his new career, costumed senior pictures for high schoolers.  Jar jar binksy in the hizzy

\

Jar Jar makes even baby Jesus cry.

[Dartful Dodger]

This is a warm and fuzzy feel good story that all can enjoy.

California has the 3rd highest foreclosure rate in the US so now the families who are desperately trying to sell the low income property they already own are going to have compete with 300,000 acres of new lower income housing.

Schokes laughs at the rich who aren't going to make a little extra pocket change on their summer homes and the rich get to laugh at the poor who don't get to make anything on their only home/asset.

[shmokes]

You've got an impressive grasp of the real estate market and the subprime mortgage crisis. Stupid availability of low income housing . . .

Or

You're a moron

[Dartful Dodger]

My house is on a pretty good sized lot and that’s only 1/2 an acre.

In Chicago, low income housing is down the street (across the tracks) for high income housing. (where do you think the help lives?)

The damage this does to the half dozen rich neighbors will be miniscule.

The damage this will do to the existing low income housing will be catastrophic.

[ark_ader]

My house is on a pretty good sized lot and that’s only 1/2 an acre.

In Chicago, low income housing is down the street (across the tracks) for high income housing. (where do you think the help lives?)

The damage this does to the half dozen rich neighbors will be miniscule.

The damage this will do to the existing low income housing will be catastrophic.

OK we have a comparison between mind numbingly cold Chicago and trendy Northern California.  What's next? Afghanistan and Switzerland? 

Low income is like $170,000 in Marin County.

[shmokes]

LMAO . . . Dartful, the availability of low income housing does not affect your ability to sell your property! What do you think, absent available low income housing projects these poor people would have no choice but to buy these unfortunately underwater properties?  

[Dartful Dodger]

Dartful, the availability of low income housing does not affect your ability to sell your property!

You're saying supply doesn't affect demand. Interesting.

[Vigo]

So I read today that Georgie announced his retirement....

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=732569

[opt2not]

Good.

[ahofle]

So I read today that Georgie announced his retirement....

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=732569

I've died a little every day since he came back into our lives.

[Green Giant]

What a great story georgey boy.

How can you guys really hate on this?  There is nothing sweeter than a good spiteful revenge on nazi like power whores.  And stop crying about hurting other poor people, we are talking about less than 7 acres worth of land.


I like the idea of a seniors community.  I can see it now, old people crowding the sidewalks, driving 2 mph on the streets, pissing all the rich off, and complaining CONSTANTLY about their rich neighbors.



Reminds me of a story in Houston where some people moved in next to this bar Walters, and then realized it was noisy at night so they complained to have the bar shut down.  The bar countered by offering to close and donate the land to a drug rehab facility.