Recently we opined on D.R. Horton wanting to offer four-bedroom townhouses at its Paramount project in downtown Escondido. The City Council was aghast, fearing apparently that illegal immigrants would start buying $400,000 condominiums or that families doubling up would result in the affluent buyers' BMWs taking up all the on-street parking spaces. The city asked Horton to return with none of those sinful four-bedroom floor plans. Horton, notorious for not speaking to either media or even city managers, cannot possibly make money on this project, some real estate observers believe. It bought the land at the height of the real estate boom, endured a catastrophic fire and more delays, and eventually will come to market when all prices have been pushed into the bargain basement. Horton, the observers say, simply wants to fulfill its civic obligation in Escondido, complete the project and move on. Horton did return to the council and acquiesced. The condominiums offered will still have four bedrooms, though one may be opened somewhat instead of having floor-to-ceiling walls. Buyers, to satisfy Big Brother Escondido, will have to sign that they will use the fourth room as a den, an office, anything but a bedroom. What's more, that provision will be written into the covenants, codes and restrictions for the complex. Presumably, any buyer of a four-bedroom townhouse would choose to use one as a den or office, anyway. So, no harm, no foul? Not so fast. Big Brother Escondido has now passed a law telling you what you can or cannot do in your own bedroom. It is no longer your choice. The vote was 5-0, with even Sam "I believe in the least government regulations on our citizens" Abed voting to interfere in a decision that really should be between willing builder and willing buyer. There was no mention of what the penalty for violators will be, which sends our imagination soaring. Perhaps, offenders will be deported just outside the Escondido city limits. Or, maybe they will be forced to register with other cities as "serial bedroom occupants." Escondido's council majority clearly is caught up in an anti-immigration backlash and is swinging at even imaginary targets. This ordinance outlaws a market product quite popular in a number of California cities. In its paranoia, the Escondido City Council is actually taking away freedoms from American citizens. This ordinance is both silly and sad. Sad in that this passes for "less government" in Escondido. Sad in that this restriction inevitably will pit some homeowner against a relentlessly rigid homeowner association. So much for harmonious quality of life in Escondido. Next Saturday: Big Brother Escondido in your overnight parking space.
Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos.
No comments:
Post a Comment