Last year a local developer built two homes on Sunset Drive in Asheville. One home is 4,000 square feet and the other is 3,761 square feet. Both homes were built on approximately a one-quarter acre on very steep lots. In order to fit these homes on this small parcel of land, 90 percent of the trees had to be clear-cut.
Below these two new homes sits an existing home that at one time was surrounded by trees. Not only did this neighbor enjoy privacy [because of] the trees, but also their home was naturally cool in the summertime. This past summer, after the lots were clear-cut for the new homes, the neighbor experienced a 10-degree heat increase in their home.
With the predictions that this is going to be the hottest summer yet, one can only suspect that now three homes are going to be running the air conditioning continuously this summer. This only increases the usage of power three-fold, which increases global warming. This scenario is being played out all over the city and county, particularly in neighborhood developments. Investors and developers are squeezing large homes right next to one another so that they can maximize the value of the land and recoup as much money from the development as possible.
How can the county and city prevent this type of situation? The city and county might consider limiting the size of the home in relationship to the size of the lot. One 3,500-square-foot home on a half-acre lot may have saved some trees and prevented the dramatic increase in temperature the neighbor is now experiencing, and the usage of power. Wake up, Asheville. Global warming is a reality, and it is time our officials take the lead and demonstrate to the public that we [must] all take this seriously.
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