Seaside Dream Home Besieged - Colour

Captivated by the spectacular natural beauty of northern CaliforniasMendocino coast, the author and his wife, Margie, residents of Virginia,purchase a magnificent eleven-acre promontory high above the Pacific Oceannear the remote village of Elk. On retiring years later, they decide tobuild their dream home there. Seeking no more than whats sanctioned bylaw, they nevertheless encounter fierce opposition from County and StateParks officials, a hostile faction of Elk citizens, and the local media. In a six-year battle that ignites civil war in the little village, Margieand TG fight back. Well into the conflict they discover the hidden andimproper motivation behind much of the opposition. That paves the way fora settlement with the County. But opponents promptly appeal the case tothe California Coastal Commission, and there the final showdown takesplace. Seaside Dream Home Besieged makes a clear and compelling case forland-use reforms designed to achieve a more-just and more-harmoniousrelationship between scenic preservation and property rights. Included areextensive contending quotes from both sides of the conflict, providinginsight into the legal and ethical points at issue, as well as into localcoastal culture and obstructive human behavior. With its mystery,sleuthing, assorted (non-lethal) casualties, and colorful real-lifescoundrels, Seaside Dream Home Besieged provides suspenseful andentertaining reading. Moreover, its an indispensable guidebook for thosewho dare to enter the land-use minefields in pursuit of a building permit.