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Rob Rhinehart, developer of the "magical milkshake" known as Soylent, has been criminally charged for attempting to build an off-grid "experiment in sustainable living" without obtaining city permits. He could face up to two years in prison and a $4,000 fine. [...]
"Flat Top hill has been a gathering spot since long before I arrived. I would be thrilled if the area became a park, but that has not materialized so in the meantime I have a right to use land that I own," Rhinehart told The Guardian via email. "I want a sturdy, lightweight, affordable home."
Nearby residents have long called for the area to be turned into a park, but the city wanted to make a buck from it, so they auctioned it in December, allowing Rhinehart to purchase the land.
Now, after residents complained, and with no indication Rhinehart intends to connect to the city grid, Los Angeles has deemed the shipping container an "unlawful structure" and removed it.
"Unpermitted structures pose a safety risk," said City Attorney Mike Feuer. "They also can be unsightly and erode the quality of life in a neighborhood."
Source: The Free Thought Project
Don't paint your house bright red.
~childo
(Score: 5, Informative) by Capt. Obvious on Monday August 15 2016, @05:15AM
In the article,there are several complaints. The fact that it is off the grid is not one of them. Apparent,y the complaints are: (a) No permits (b) Extensive absences by the owner during which the house is not properly secured, leading to it being a gang hangout (c) Earthquake vulnerability and (d) Lots of late night parties and trash strewn about.
I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect your neighbors to adhere to those standards.
(Score: 2) by n1 on Monday August 15 2016, @09:30AM
The headline might be a bit more open to interpretation, but the summary is quite clear ( at least to me) that the lack of permits and such is the issue, not the off grid nature. Now if the local gov would give any permits for an off-grid development remains to be seen apparently.
I also have issues with it being 'tiny' ... 40ft long is not tiny.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 15 2016, @10:39AM
320sqft is tiny for a home
furthermore "tiny home" is a term of art and container homes are a legit thing
(Score: 3, Insightful) by n1 on Monday August 15 2016, @11:05AM
It is of course smaller than the average, but in the UK (where I am currently based) and other places i have lived around the world, 500 sq ft is an average size for a one bedroom home. That extra space could easily be lost in a hallway with no practical use except to stop it being a studio apartment.
I am fully aware of container homes being a legit thing, but for somebody in London, a shipping container is not a tiny home, just smaller than the average unobtainable home... So it is relatively spacious to the closest under the stairs or 7x7 box room in a house shared with half a dozen other people and one bathroom that cost more to rent for a month than a shipping container does to buy.
But yes, in the context of America/California/LA, it is a tiny home...
(Score: 2) by frojack on Monday August 15 2016, @06:37PM
How many dwellings are built in London without a permit?
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by n1 on Monday August 15 2016, @07:18PM
more than you can probably imagine, but they're usually built inside existing structures or underground. they're just as illegal as what this guy is up to. this guy is by all appearances an asshole and this is just a publicity stunt and will probably only damage the cause of sustainable off grid homes..