Lucas to Build Low-Income Housing for Neighborhood

George Lucas has a pretty big stretch of land behind his house in Marin County California and a couple of years ago he thought it would be a great idea to build a film studio there. Unfortunately, his neighbors thought otherwise. So, when he presented his plans for the studio to the county, his neighbors argued against his vision saying that the area is zoned for residential use and a film studio simply wouldn't be acceptable. After all, just about everybody in the neighborhood has a million-dollar home and a film studio belongs in Hollywood, not out in the prestigious suburbs where his wealthy neighbors live.

Well, apparently George didn't appreciate being thwarted about his pet project, so it looks like he simmered for a couple of years until he came up with a dandy new idea: Build something else his neighbors would surely love! Instead of building his wonderful new film studio, and since the land is zoned for residential use, why not put up a neat new complex to house some of Marin Counties needy families.

The project, which was submitted to the Marin County Planning Commission last Wednesday, would span about 52 acres and cost around $200 million. The community will begin just a few meters away from George's own Skywalker Ranch property, and consist of two complexes. The first complex will have 120 two- and three-bedroom homes where local low-income families will live. The second complex will consist of a nice four-story tall apartment building for pensioners, with 104 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Since George will be funding the project all by himself, his lawyers say he can select whoever he wants to live there. Of course, his representatives are insisting the project isn't any sort of retaliation against his million-dollar homeowner neighbors. "We've got enough millionaires here," he says. "What we need is some houses for regular working people."

There appears to be huge support from the local low-income community, so his wealthy neighbors probably will have a hard time blocking the proposal. What a great plan for the neighborhood! Property values are sure to soar! Just ask the neighbors.