"This morning one of the McMansions being built in Sunset Hills caught fire around 4 AM. The house at 1419 Nottingham Rd, was still under construction by Preservation Homes, but looks to be burnt beyond repair. The neighboring house, also under construction, shows signs of significant fire damage. This area has been ground zero for tear downs recently, spearheaded by Preservation homes and other developers. The signs point toward arson, as the house had other signs of vandalism; the portable toilets the construction workers use had been overturned and burning embers were found in neighboring yards. The construction has been moving at a rapid pace as small duplexes and single family homes been replaced by 6 and 7 thousand square foot houses that do not have yards and frequently use the park they border as overflow parking. These houses have highlighted the irresponsible approach that developers have taken in the neighborhood as they clear the lots of any trees and build the house within inches of the edges of their lots. Many of the homes in the area shade the previously sunny gardens and yards of their neighbors and remove any feeling of privacy as they loom well above what would be perceived as an appropriate size.

"I live in this neighborhood and pass (or avoid passing) these monstrosities on a daily basis. It’s not that I have a problem with the aesthetics of the architecture (which i personally do) as much as I do with what’s going to happen to the wildlife and dappled serenity that makes Sunset Hills/Banbury Park so magical. These “McMansions” (in my opinion) take up all of the lot except for a nice 5 foot wide border of grass around the front (just wide enough for a quick 3 passes of the mower) and pave the rest. Oh yea, there are some fancy Crepe Myrtles. But those don’t qualify as trees to me. Oh and you bet that grass is bright green! And guess where the runoff fertilizer is going...straight off their steep lil lawns and into our city water! I’m not that thrilled about the “value” that the landscaping is adding to our neighborhood.

"wow, all of you are so happy that a house burnt down, and im probably sure that it was one of you, or someone you know that did it! Breigh you talk abut how these houses take up all the space on the lot and that all the trees are cut down in the process, that the yards are so small they can only get three passes with the mower, and yes that maybe be terrible, but if you care so much for the environment, hmm sounds like a hippie to me, or did i offend you guys this time, so sorry of me.

"you say you live close buy so im guessing yuo live in one of the duplexes with the neglected front and back yard, but if you care so much about the environment and wildlife, then do you part to change it, im sure the wildlife surrounding this area (which is probably a few birds and random squirrels and the stray dog) love to walk through the trash you leave in your front yard, if you like the environment so much, then move out of the city, its impossible to care for the environment today because noone else does.

"Oh and I’m Tom Blands son and if any of you try and screw with my dad or my family, or anything or anyone related to me, i will find you and inflict serious pain on you, youve made you threats, ive made mine.