U2 Star Plans 5 Malibu Homes; Locals Annoyed

The Edge's project raises concerns about environment

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 17, 2009 2:59 PM CDT

(Newser) – U2’s the Edge is ruffling the feathers of some of his fellow Malibu residents with a plan to build five houses atop a hill overlooking the Pacific, the Los Angeles Times reports. Both potential neighbors and California preservation agencies charge that David Evans' project is too ambitious for the delicate ridge. They say it could result in damage to habitats, potential landslides, and more vehicle traffic than the narrow access road can handle.

U2’s reputation for political and environmental activism has caused many to cry hypocrisy over the guitarist’s development plans. "For somebody so revered even to be orchestrating this type of development in such a sensitive area is hypocritical," says one Malibu councilman. But Evans says his critics simply haven’t seen his plans. "These homes will be some of the most environmentally sensitive ever designed in Malibu—or anywhere in the world,” he said.

[Images (3)]

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U2 guitarist The Edge arrives to the Food Bank for New York City’s fifth annual ‘Can-Do’ dinner awards held at Pier Sixty in New York City on Monday, April 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Adam Rountree)

In this Oct. 26, 2008 file photo, U2's Bono, left, and The Edge accept the Herbie Hancock Humanitarian Award on behalf of Paul G. Allen at "The Blues & Jazz" Gala Concert at the Kodak Theatre in Los... (AP Photo/Mark Mainz, file)

The Edge, from the Irish band U2, applauds during a news conference for the documentary film, "It Might Get Loud," during the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, in Toronto. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)

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The downside of this is a permanently scarred mountainside for the benefit of a very few that for many years all will view.
- Jefferson Wagner, Malibu councilman

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U2 Star Plans 5 Malibu Homes; Locals Annoyed