U2’s Edge is in the middle of a Malibu land development controversy in southern California and his proposed eco-development is upsetting some residents and making headlines.
Edge (real name David Evans), in conjunction with Dublin financier Derek Quinlan, is planning on building five green homes on a 156-acre parcel he owns in the Santa Monica Mountains in the Sweetwater Mesa area.
Evans is planning on living in one of the eco-mansions, another will be owned by his development partner and remaining three homes will be sold.
In a prepared statement, Evans said, "These homes will be some of the most environmentally sensitive ever designed in Malibu — or anywhere in the world.”
However, it may be hard to call a development of five 10,000 square foot houses (.23 of an acre each) with pools and guesthouses in an ecologically sensitive pristine area "green".
The UK Independent Newspaper is reporting that, “…Edge is accused of wanting to flatten the mountain, put a road through slide-prone areas, and move 70,000 cubic yards of earth for construction of the "McMansions" which will boast views of the world-famous Surfrider Beach”.
In response to the backlash and opposition the project is receiving, Evans has launched a website with the project overview and the "facts" of the controversial development.
“I never thought I would have to resort to this form of communication, but because of recent inaccurate media coverage, I felt compelled to set the record straight”, explains Evans on his website Leaves in the Wind, also the name of his proposed new eco-house
On the site, Evans gives his version of the "facts and myths" surrounding the project such as the mountain leveling, that the homes are out of scale with the surroundings, the displacement of the archery club, earth removal and about receiving preferential treatment for his project with local officials. He also takes considerable umbrage at the criticisms of one Malibu resident who opposes the project.
The website explains the eco features of the project which include onsite waste water treatment, solar panels to heat water and provide electricity, proposed LEED Gold certification, passive cooling and rainwater catchment.
Visit: http://www.leavesinthewind.com/
Via Ecorazzi and The Independent
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