SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
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: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 15 2016, @12:09PM
Methinks it more interesting that a person could be charged with a felony for putting a steel box on a hill, on their own property.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 15 2016, @04:04PM
The problem with this "steel box on a hill" is that it isn't hooked up to the "grid" (meaning the local municipality can't charge him for services he may not want or need, and the government can't track him based on his usage of utilities).
(Score: 3, Informative) by frojack on Monday August 15 2016, @06:49PM
Methinks it more interesting that a person could be charged with a felony for putting a steel box on a hill, on their own property.
Who said anything about a felony? You made that up.
City prosecutors charged Soylent Chief Executive Rob Rhinehart with unpermitted construction and other violations.
In American legal parlance, a violation is not a criminal matter, In fact violations are less than a misdemeanor.
Overtime parking is a violation. So is failure to signal a turn. So is failing to obtain a building permit.
Whatsamatta: The story isn't sensationalist enough, so you thought you had to pile on?
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 15 2016, @11:19PM
Did you not read the summary?
A felony in the USA is any crime for which the potential punishment is more than one year's incarceration.