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[maxcriden]

A Santa Clara, Calif. family who painted their historical home to resemble the multi-colored house that’s carried away by balloons in the animated Disney-Pixar movie "Up" has upset their neighbors, who complain that the home looks like a “clown.”

However, residents of the neighborhood are angry over the brightly colored house, which was changed from white to lime green, pale yellow, orange, and pink. “If the family wanted a modern home, they shouldn’t have bought one in this neighborhood," a neighbor who did not want to be identified, tells Yahoo Shine. "They say their kids want a fun home — so they’re going to destroy a historical home?”

More on Yahoo: Can Crowdfunding Save This Family's Home From Foreclosure?

Neighbor Lou Faria, a member of the Old Quad Residents Association, told KNTV: "I don't think it fits in... It really, in my opinion, is atrocious that this Victorian is a gracious old lady and it's been painted up to look like a clown.”

Yahoo Shine could not reach city planner Steve Lynch for comment but according to Santa Clara historian Lorie Garcia, the Santa Clara city council will now form a committee to rewrite the preservation ordinance, going into more detail about how to approach color schemes for the neighborhood. Also, after the renovations are complete, the city will do a detailed inspection to determine whether the family has in fact, preserved the historical significance of the home.

"We're not trying to create controversy," Rahman told KNTV. "We're trying to build a home for our daughters and our family. And that's what our intention was."

More at the link:

https://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-liv...hosam-haggog-and-fatima-rahman-183239784.html

To me, this is really silly. Let the family paint their house like 'Up' if they want to.

 

[Snkfanatic]

Let the family do what they want. It can always be repainted, can't stand picky neighbors.

 

[Exotoro]

they should just put a bunch of balloons on their house and fly away

 

[BladeoftheImmortal]

i think it looks good.

 

[Futureman]

looks pretty ugly. Wasn't "destroyed" as far as I can tell as you could just repaint it eventually. Unless there's a homeowners association can they really do anything?

 

[Pagusas]

I'd be mad as a neighbor too, just because its an eye sore, negatively effects my property value and makes the neighborhood look trashy.

However, I would not speak publicly about it as I know its there right to do what they want with their house. Thats why we own homes and property, to free ourselves of landlords and be able to do what we desire with our personal property. It can suck sometimes, just like free speech, but its all part of the greater freedom. If the neighbors cared that much about homes keeping a standard look, they should have formed a Home Owners Association or moved to one.

 

[Stet]

There has to be some kind of bizarre pathology involved when people have kids and start living their lives completely for those kids.

 

[Zozz]

Is it your house? Shut the fuck up otherwise.

Anything from UP is A+ work

 

[dantevsninjas]

It's a stupid fucking eyesore, I could see being aggravated by having to look at it every day.

That being said, they own the house, they can do whatever they want with it. The neighbors have no right to tell them what they can or can't do.

 

[ActStriker]

If the neighbors cared that much about homes keeping a standard look, they should have formed a Home Owners Association or moved to one.

...it sounds like there is one.

Neighbor Lou Faria, a member of the Old Quad Residents Association, told KNTV: "I don't think it fits in... It really, in my opinion, is atrocious that this Victorian is a gracious old lady and it's been painted up to look like a clown.”

Aside from the loud color scheme, neighborhood residents are also protesting the interior and exterior renovations the family is reportedly making to the home — replacing the porch, lifting the foundation of the home by 16 inches, and removing the elaborate banister on the grand staircase. According to Santa Clara historian Lorie Garcia, the couple is technically not breaking any rules, as long as they maintain the historical integrity of the home. But presently, the family’s specific plans are unclear — a situation that worries their neighbors, many of whom want to preserve the classic feeling of the street. “To be fair, when the family bought the home, it was in pretty poor condition,” Garcia tells Yahoo Shine. “However, to paint with colors like that …when I drove by, I felt like singing, ‘It’s a Small World.’”

Homeowners in the Old Quad neighborhood do not need a permit to repaint their houses, but in the case of renovations, they must apply for a permit by presenting their ideas to the city's Historical & Landmarks Commission at a meeting where neighbors within 300 feet of the home are given an opportunity to voice their opinions on how the changes will affect the neighborhood. However, in the case of the “Up” home, the family never took that step, and instead went straight to the city’s planning department, where they got the project approved and permits issued without consulting the commission. “In my 20-year career, I have never seen this happen,” says Garcia. “The city planner won’t give me a straight answer as to why no one consulted the neighborhood.”

Yahoo Shine could not reach city planner Steve Lynch for comment but according to Garcia, the Santa Clara city council will now form a committee to rewrite the preservation ordinance, going into more detail about how to approach color schemes for the neighborhood. Also, after the renovations are complete, the city will do a detailed inspection to determine whether the family has in fact, preserved the historical significance of the home.

 

[Edwardo]

Sounds like something pretty silly to be upset about.

 

[Exotoro]

but in all seriousness, the neighbors can go fuck off

 

[xenist]

Historical. Ha!

Nothing should be seriously called historical unless a) it's explicitly mentioned in history, b) has been around long enough to have the terrain around it alter significantly or c) mentioned by Unesco. Otherwise it's just old.

 

[Sonicbug]

So they turned it into a gingerbread victorian?

But gingerbread victorian houses are awesome. =/

 

[Deleted member 325805]

It looks nice, fuck the snooty neighbours.

 

[slit]

I think that house is great!!!


If there is no HOA, then too bad for them.

 

[daycru]

Look at that thing. Christ.

 

[Sanjuro]

Maybe the neighbors can finish the job and launch it into space.

 

[Aiustis]

I like it.

 

[TheBrain76]

I'd be mad as a neighbor too, just because its an eye sore, negatively effects my property value and makes the neighborhood look trashy.

However, I would not speak publicly about it as I know its there right to do what they want with their house. Thats why we own homes and property, to free ourselves of landlords and be able to do what we desire with our personal property. It can suck sometimes, just like free speech, but its all part of the greater freedom. If the neighbors cared that much about homes keeping a standard look, they should have formed a Home Owners Association or moved to one.

*their

Also, how does it make the neighborhood look trashy? It's not like they covered it in graffiti. Sure it's quirky, and certainly not appealing to everyone, but I don't understand why it would hurt other's property values.

 

[SmokyDave]

I understand where the neighbours are coming from, but if no permit is needed to paint the house, that's all there is to it. Gonna have to suck it up and wait ten years for the owners to get sick of living in such a garish abode.

 

[Bit-Bit]

I seriously hate neighbors who don't mind their fuckin business.

 

[EatChildren]

Feel sorry for the couple for having such fucking shitty neighbours.

 

[Wubby]

I'll never again live in a place that has a HOA.

 

[mackattk]

*they're

Also, how does it make the neighborhood look trashy? It's not like they covered it in graffiti. Sure it's quirky, and certainly not appealing to everyone, but I don't understand why it would hurt other's property values.

*their

Anyway, I don't see what the problem is, unless it is against the homeowners association. There really needs to be more pictures though, would like to see the house from a few more angles.

 

[Kopite]

nofunallowed.jpg

 

[Spider from Mars]

On of my neighbors has the top half of their house painted yellow and the bottom half white. I think it's funny. People need to spend less time preoccupied with what other people are doing

 

[Pinko Marx]

Sounds like something pretty silly to be upset about.

Seriously. Keep your eyes in your own yard, let others live their life as long as they aren't doing anything illegal or completely disrespectful or disruptive.

 

[Valkyr Junkie]

Is this neighborhood on the national register of historic places? Can't find out on my phone.

 

[Htown]

Man fuck homeowners associations. Petty assholes, the lot of them.

There has to be some kind of bizarre pathology involved when people have kids and start living their lives completely for those kids.

Bizarre pathology?

 

[Ludicrous Speed]

the Santa Clara city council will now form a committee to rewrite the preservation ordinance, going into more detail about how to approach color schemes for the neighborhood. Also, after the renovations are complete, the city will do a detailed inspection to determine whether the family has in fact, preserved the historical significance of the home.

This is why people don't like the government. Don't they have better fucking things to do?! Piss off!

 

[SmokyDave]

Seriously. Keep your eyes in your own yard, let others live their life as long as they aren't doing anything illegal or completely disrespectful or disruptive.

Thing is, 'completely disrespectful' is relative. I'd imagine the complaining neighbours consider this house completely disrespectful to the aesthetics of the neighbourhood.

Does the US have the equivalent of 'listed buildings'?

 

[yongeandcollege]

Is there any evidence that painting a house in unorthodox colours reduces the property values of nearby houses? Keep in mind that they did a good job on the painting.

The "property value" and "neighbourhood character" arguments are often used in flimsy circumstances.

 

[mclem]

Neighbor Lou Faria, a member of the Old Quad Residents Association, told KNTV: "I don't think it fits in... It really, in my opinion, is atrocious that this Victorian is a gracious old lady and it's been painted up to look like a clown.”

Barbara Cartland?

 

[Stet]

Man fuck homeowners associations. Petty assholes, the lot of them.



Bizarre pathology?

Yes. I understand wanting the best for your kids, but when you're altering the design of your house just to appease them you've got something wrong with your wiring.

 

[TheBrain76]

*their

Anyway, I don't see what the problem is, unless it is against the homeowners association. There really needs to be more pictures though, would like to see the house from a few more angles.

That's what I get for being a bastard before finishing my coffee. lol

Yes. I understand wanting the best for your kids, but when you're altering the design of your house just to appease them you've got something wrong with your wiring.

I'd only say that if the kids were demanding that their (lol) parents paint the house that way.
I'd say it's more likely that they were going to paint the house anyway and decided to have a bit of fun with it.

 

[daniels]

colours are bad

 

[slit]

Thing is, 'completely disrespectful' is relative. I'd imagine the complaining neighbours consider this house completely disrespectful to the aesthetics of the neighbourhood.

Does the US have the equivalent of 'listed buildings'?

And? If people give in everytime somebody finds something disrespectful the world would be a very dull place.

 

[Glass Rebel]

This would be pretty much impossible to do in Switzerland. Whatever makes them and their children happy.

 

[Goodlife]

Yes. I understand wanting the best for your kids, but when you're altering the design of your house just to appease them you've got something wrong with your wiring.

If there is something that'll make your kids happy while not having an affect on you, why wouldn't you do it?

 

[Stet]

If there is something that'll make your kids happy while not having an affect on you, why wouldn't you do it?

But it obviously has had an affect on them...?

 

[EdibleKnife]

They aren't the ones who bought the house and who are living there. Those neighbors can piss off. This isn't freaking Lincoln's log cabin.

 

[Goodlife]

But it obviously has had an affect on them...?

How?

 

[The Albatross]

I'd be mad as a neighbor too, just because its an eye sore, negatively effects my property value and makes the neighborhood look trashy.

However, I would not speak publicly about it as I know its there right to do what they want with their house. Thats why we own homes and property, to free ourselves of landlords and be able to do what we desire with our personal property. It can suck sometimes, just like free speech, but its all part of the greater freedom. If the neighbors cared that much about homes keeping a standard look, they should have formed a Home Owners Association or moved to one.

Pretty much agree here. I'd be miffed if somebody made some bizarre house in my neighborhood, but unless there's a home owners association, I wouldn't say / do anything... It's their prerogative, it just sucks for me. Plus, the house in the photo still looks better than another house with, say, bags of trash on the front porch or crap strewn around the front yard.

 

[yongeandcollege]

Yes. I understand wanting the best for your kids, but when you're altering the design of your house just to appease them you've got something wrong with your wiring.

They're painting a house. Maybe it needed to be painted and they simply asked their kids for some input on colours. As far as spoiling kids goes, this does not qualify. It's also not symptomatic of anything greater than the fact they wanted to paint their house.

 

[Gaming Truth]

They need the inner purple window trim to make it better. It's the first thing that caught my eye from the movie version of the house. If they're going for an exact match, I'd age the coloring too, but maybe they figure it'll do that on its own in the years to come?

 

[rykomatsu]

Depends on whether it's designated a historical home or not. There are quite a few in Santa Clara that are designated as such which mandates the owners to remodel their homes in the manner and style appropriate to the time when the home was actually built. If so, then the home shouldn't have been colored in such a manner.

If the home isn't designated a historical home, then kinda sucks, but they have a right to paint their house to look like an eye sore :/

 

[daniels]

They aren't the ones who bought the house and who are living there. Those neighbors can piss off.

But they are already pissed off?

 

[Coriolanus]

This is why people don't like the government. Don't they have better fucking things to do?! Piss off!

That's actually an example of small government and local councils at work. The kinds of things people who oppose big government favour.

Big gov couldn't be bothered to give a crap about what kind of color scheme you put in your house.

 

[Pinko Marx]

But it obviously has had an affect on them...?

How were they supposed to know the neighborhood would be stuck up about it?