 |
Town Decrees Solar Panels Ugly, Family Fights Back |
10 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in Dumb Ideas, Energy, Green Building, Green Living, Solar | March 27, 2007 | ||
I always find amusing the rules that some of my friends around the country must abide by when living in community housing developments. Your grass can only be so high, children’s toys must be kept to a minimum outside, your house can only be certain shades of color, etc. etc. It’s a frightening utopia of meaningless laws and trivial worry. When I heard that the town of Scarsdale denied a family the opportunity to put up solar panels — on the basis that they were ugly and “not in keeping with the character of the community” — I immediately wanted to cry/laugh. You have got to be kidding me.
But then I thought that such reactions are probably not too uncommon. We live in a world with designer water, designer shampoo, and animal spas. People have become so accustomed to modular cookie-cutter homes with white picket-fences and weed-free sidewalks — that they’ve actually forgotten there’s a world of people out there who could care less and actually would like to live a unique existence; with character and vision for their own lives. So, when you move to a place like Scarsdale, and they deny you the ability to lead that existence based on the above criteria, what do you do? You call their bullshit and fight back. From the article,
“So the Saracheks fought back. They called their local representatives, submitted a petition with more than 100 residents’ signatures, and spent an estimated $20,000 in delayed construction costs and legal fees to appeal the BAR’s decision.
The result: The historically conservative BAR (Board of Architectural Review) broke tradition and narrowly approved the Saracheks’ application 4-3 last month. The Saracheks became the first homeowners in Scarsdale to gain approval for solar panels.
‘We were just shocked that there were so many objections from so many educated people,’ Heather Sarachek, 43, said.”
No kidding. But wait, it gets better:
“‘The height of the structure was objectionable, not the solar panels themselves,’ said Cukras. He said he can see the panels from his home, which is adjacent to the Saracheks’. ‘It’s a neighborhood issue. … It’s not that we are opposed to solar energy. It’s the impact the panels have on the whole community.’”
Impact? What’s going to happen? Are people going to run screaming through the streets because they’re confused as to what exactly is on the neighbor’s roof? Will children need therapy? I honestly cannot see this impacting home prices. “Well, Jim, we’d really love to buy this home, but I can see some solar panels over there on that roof; and frankly, I just can’t stand for that type of imagery.”
With more talk than ever about renewable energy, let’s not forget that we’re only at the base of the mountain on this topic. There are still plenty of avalanches of idiocy and red tape to come. Hit the jump for more.
Loading ...
Elias Dominguez said,
Scarsdale, NY…what a retarded town!
Wouldn’t be surprised if there are folks there still believing that the earth is flat.
I wonder what will happen to me if I started complaining:
* my home is going to depreciate because my neighbor’s wife is so ugly
* I’m going to see a psychologist because I got post traumatic stress disorder after watching the color of the new car that my neighbor bought.
Town Decrees Solar Panels Ugly, Family Fights Back | Alternative Energy said,
[...] By Michael Via: GroovyGreen.com [...]
urbanmike said,
People just won’t accept realities that differ from their idea of the perfect normal life. Particularly if it threatens their use of SUVs, Air Conditioning, and high definition widescreen TVs.
Will they learn? Probably not.
Paul said,
I agree with urbanmike…
but what are these people on? Do they not read the news?
Objections from educated people? They don’t sound that well educated to me.
Sydney said,
I live in this house, I am the one Sarachek girl. I’m in the kitchen right now and I think it’s great to have solar panels. My friend just said to me yesterday “I want solar panels at my house, I don’t want global warming.”
Michal said,
I know the Sarachecks and I think that solar panels are a great idea for a house. I don’t want global warming!
Martin Cleaver said,
I am a great believer in the benefits of solar energy and other alternatives to oil, but a recent journey through Southern Germany made me think. Many picturesque old villages around the Bodensee are now defaced by huge shiney dark-blue panels. Whole farmhouses have been hidden behind them. Surely someone could pay a little attention to the aestetics of things. Just because it’s “Good for the Earth” doesn’t excuse “Bad Taste”. Please will someone look into alternatives? Say – slate grey, terracotta bronze?
Just plastering our world full of ugly blue sheets is not the answer.
Martin
Stephen H. said,
I think there’s a time and a place for solar panels.
A solar panelled roof can look excellent on a new house whose design takes into account the solar roof. Take this house for example: http://www.solarhouse.com/. The color of its exterior “goes” with the blue solar panels on the roof.
But solar panels can DESTROY the appearance of some houses, turning them into eyesores.
As for the Sarachek’s house, the solar panels certainly do not destroy the aesthetic of the house. In fact, they are hardly visible at all. The builder of the Sarachek house said “This is the perfect house to install solar panels. It is on the back of only part of the roof, and only one neighbor can see it if he stands to the very tip of his backyard”
So in their case, solar panels were acceptable.
Another Homeowners Association Slams Attempt To Go Solar » GroovyGreen.com - Start Today :: Save Tomorrow said,
[...] In March of 2007, we reported on an incident where the town of Scarsdale denied a family the opportunity to put up solar panels — on the basis that they were ugly and “not in keeping with the character of the community”. It was BS then — and it’s still BS now. Now, another homeowners association in California is denying one man’s quest to reduce his electric bill by installing solar on his roof. Their reason? They do not believe the technology fits in with their rules and guidelines of a community with “restrained elegance.” [...]
Stu said,
To debate the appearance of solar panels as a deciding factor as to if they should be allowed to be installed is pathetic……..on someones elses house even. How the hell will the world ever get rid of intolerances of things like……..race…….culture…….etc etc……..when there are people that won’t have people living in their area with a color house they don’t like. It all comes from the same place…….stupid moronic little minds that think…….my way is the best and only way………right down to the appearance of someone else house……….and think they have the right to make laws to force everybody to adopt their narrow view of everything.
Personally I think that home ownership should mean a non negotiable right to make your house as you want it…….and if that means pink with purple spots and a back yard shed on your front yard and and solar panels cladding on your front lawn that so be it……and nobody should be able to object………tough if you don’t like it.