3 ms·

Well he wasn't doing "anything he wanted to" and he definitely wasn't "building skyscrapers" on the land. He had a shipping container and it seems like someone

Well he wasn't doing "anything he wanted to" and he definitely wasn't "building skyscrapers" on the land. He had a shipping container and it seems like someone threw a party on the land. There are millions of things the government could go after him for but they didn't. They didn't go after permits, or safety codes, or anything. They cited him for "abandoned or vacant building open to the public" which is complete BS. If they went after him for building permits (which do not apply here) or anything else I'd agree that is fine. That is not what happened. What they have done is essentially went after him for a charge of "I don't like what you have that here, it looks ugly"

jonathankoren 10y ago
So putting an unsecured (both to random individuals and to the hillside) container wasn't what he wanted to do? If not, he should totally sue someone, because if I ordered a pizza and an empty shipping container with windows cut out on the sides was delivered instead, I'd be mad. Also, having an vacant building open to the public is a safety code violation. Why do you think empty building have locked doors and fences around them?
- tedks 10y ago
  How is this different than a gazebo? If he had built a gazebo or similar structure on the land, would the neighbors have anything to say about it (except maybe "make sure the homeless can't be comfortable in it")?
  - jonathankoren 10y ago
    Well it wouldn't be as much of an eye sore, and he would probably still need permits. http://dpw.lacounty.gov/general/faq/index.cfm?9185=9185&Action=getAnswers&FaqID=JCFNOzxSUCAgCg%3D%3D&Keywords=1 http://dpw.lacounty.gov/general/faq/index.cfm?9185=9185&Acti...
maldeh 10y ago
He did go and call it an experiment in sustainable living, implying the intent was for it to be a dwelling. I don't think it's unreasonable for some permit requisites to apply to it, like being a rust hazard or a danger to neighbors during an earthquake.
- stickfigure 10y ago
  Rust hazard?
  - gravypod 10y ago
    I laughed when I saw this. Thanks for pointing it out.
  - maldeh 10y ago
    I may be missing something, is this not a thing people say?
    - gravypod 10y ago
      Couldn't anything metal be a rust hazard? Am I allowed to own a metal mail box or is that a rust hazard.
      - maldeh 10y ago
        Perhaps this is distracting the conversation then. I just brought up rust because it is a common element of rental inspection (http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/looking.shtml http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/looking.shtm...), and because inhaling iron particles has been known to cause respiratory issues - probably more relevant in a human enclosure than in a mailbox (albeit not as serious as asbestos or lead). But the point stands, if the container is generally accepted as a public-access dwelling, then it is not unreasonable to subject it to inspection for livability.
    - goldenkey 10y ago
      It sounds like something the Ministry of Information would issue (movie Brazil..a must see)
jrockway 10y ago
> They cited him for "abandoned or vacant building open to the public" which is complete BS. Maybe it's intentionally BS, and the city expects him to win. Then the city can say, "well a jury found him not guilty" and shut up the annoying neighbors without looking like they are ignoring the problem.
- gravypod 10y ago
  Maybe it's just the cynic in me but I think that the DA is far too lazy to file a case that they are sure they won't win. No matter the reason. Hopefully you are right and this turns out in RR's favor.
  - microcolonel 10y ago
    I think jrockway was more implying that they are looking to file this case and lose it, so that people will stop prodding to file more cases which they will also lose. This is totally compatible with laziness.
    - jrockway 10y ago
      I wasn't thinking that, but I like the way you think. We should write a TV show together or something.
  - Overtonwindow 10y ago
    Excuse me, let me introduce you to Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, or a litany of prosecutors who have filed trumped up or erroneous charges against someone just for the sake of power and attention. Sometimes it's not about winning or losing, but punishing someone the state disagrees with.

jonathankoren 10y ago

So putting an unsecured (both to random individuals and to the hillside) container wasn't what he wanted to do? If not, he should totally sue someone, because if I ordered a pizza and an empty shipping container with windows cut out on the sides was delivered instead, I'd be mad. Also, having an vacant building open to the public is a safety code violation. Why do you think empty building have locked doors and fences around them?

tedks 10y ago
How is this different than a gazebo? If he had built a gazebo or similar structure on the land, would the neighbors have anything to say about it (except maybe "make sure the homeless can't be comfortable in it")?
- jonathankoren 10y ago
  Well it wouldn't be as much of an eye sore, and he would probably still need permits. http://dpw.lacounty.gov/general/faq/index.cfm?9185=9185&Action=getAnswers&FaqID=JCFNOzxSUCAgCg%3D%3D&Keywords=1 http://dpw.lacounty.gov/general/faq/index.cfm?9185=9185&Acti...

maldeh 10y ago

He did go and call it an experiment in sustainable living, implying the intent was for it to be a dwelling. I don't think it's unreasonable for some permit requisites to apply to it, like being a rust hazard or a danger to neighbors during an earthquake.

stickfigure 10y ago
Rust hazard?
- gravypod 10y ago
  I laughed when I saw this. Thanks for pointing it out.
- maldeh 10y ago
  I may be missing something, is this not a thing people say?
  - gravypod 10y ago
    Couldn't anything metal be a rust hazard? Am I allowed to own a metal mail box or is that a rust hazard.
    - maldeh 10y ago
      Perhaps this is distracting the conversation then. I just brought up rust because it is a common element of rental inspection (http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/looking.shtml http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/looking.shtm...), and because inhaling iron particles has been known to cause respiratory issues - probably more relevant in a human enclosure than in a mailbox (albeit not as serious as asbestos or lead). But the point stands, if the container is generally accepted as a public-access dwelling, then it is not unreasonable to subject it to inspection for livability.
  - goldenkey 10y ago
    It sounds like something the Ministry of Information would issue (movie Brazil..a must see)

jrockway 10y ago

> They cited him for "abandoned or vacant building open to the public" which is complete BS. Maybe it's intentionally BS, and the city expects him to win. Then the city can say, "well a jury found him not guilty" and shut up the annoying neighbors without looking like they are ignoring the problem.

gravypod 10y ago
Maybe it's just the cynic in me but I think that the DA is far too lazy to file a case that they are sure they won't win. No matter the reason. Hopefully you are right and this turns out in RR's favor.
- microcolonel 10y ago
  I think jrockway was more implying that they are looking to file this case and lose it, so that people will stop prodding to file more cases which they will also lose. This is totally compatible with laziness.
  - jrockway 10y ago
    I wasn't thinking that, but I like the way you think. We should write a TV show together or something.
- Overtonwindow 10y ago
  Excuse me, let me introduce you to Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, or a litany of prosecutors who have filed trumped up or erroneous charges against someone just for the sake of power and attention. Sometimes it's not about winning or losing, but punishing someone the state disagrees with.