Mitt Romney gets his car elevator
(CNN) – Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney cleared a final hurdle Friday in building a new house in California, a house that will include a four-car garage with an elevator for the vehicles.
Romney had already gotten zoning permission from the city of San Diego to demolish the 3,100 square foot home he owns in the La Jolla neighborhood and erect an 11,000 square foot mansion in its place. Plans for the home were put on hold until after the 2012 election.
A neighbor had appealed the city's decision to the California Coastal Commission. He argued in commission filings that the new home would have exceeded zoning limits that say square footage cannot exceed a certain calculation based on acreage of the plot of land the house sits on.
The Coastal Commission rejected that appeal Friday. Barring a lawsuit, construction can now move forward, according to commission spokesperson Sarah Christie.
Romney, the multimillionaire former governor of Massachusetts, drew significant heat from his opponents during the 2012 election for his wealth. They charged that Romney's estimated $250 million fortune put him out of touch with average Americans and a car elevator crystallized that message for many.
–CNN's Bryan Koenig and Chuck Johnston contributed to this report.
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Most Dems make millions as well and are Definitely just as out of touch with America as republicans
Who cares. Why are you guys still pushing this? You do realize Obama could afford to build an 11,000 Sq. Ft. home with an elevator if he wanted. Give it up..
His money, his business. This is not news.
It must be nice to be rich.
This story is old!
He can spend his money how he wants, but why on earth would someone need a car elevator?
He was successful in business and who are we to judge how he spends his money. If you have a problem with him having a car elevator then you should have a problem with every other rich celebrity and the things they waste their money on also.
It's a shame with all that money he can't elevate his conscious, only his cars.
Out of touch with most Americans ? Just like the other stupid Republicans. Why doesn't he tear down the multi million dollar house and build a Palace ? Then instead of running for President just say that HE appoints himself King. These are the STUPID people that DENY children food stamps and poor people the Affordable Care Act. If they weren't such good CHRISTIAN people I would say that they were driven by GREED and the assumption that the rich need lower taxes. Why does he want to live in California ? Why not Texas where he's more in touch with his kind. Better yet Utah.
With enough money, you can influence/subvert your way out of any rule (in this case zoning laws). That's why Romney lost. At least a majority of the American public recognized that a Romney era would further legitimize and entrench the rule of money.
In answer to mmmisewicz: I was under the impression Obama was elected president.....but it seems he has declared himself the King!
Why does anybody consider this to be "news"? Romney is a private citizen who can afford an elevator. So what? Anybody who actually cares only does so out of envy or resentment.
Joe wrote: "He was successful in business and who are we to judge how he spends his money."
People have a right to spend their money how they wish... however, if you got rich in large part by putting hardworking middle class people out of work and sending jobs to other countries... just so you can own an extra car I don't have to give you a pat on the back for it. It doesn't mesh with my values.
The article says, "erect an 11,000 square foot mansion" but the video says 8,000 square feet. Which is it CNN? The Mittens family may have to endure in 'cramped' quarters.
@mmmisewicz said "Out of touch with most Americans ? Just like the other stupid Republicans. Why doesn't he tear down the multi million dollar house and build a Palace ? Then instead of running for President just say that HE appoints himself King. These are the STUPID people that DENY children food stamps and poor people the Affordable Care Act. If they weren't such good CHRISTIAN people I would say that they were driven by GREED and the assumption that the rich need lower taxes. Why does he want to live in California ? Why not Texas where he's more in touch with his kind. Better yet Utah."
Can you say the same thing about all the Rich Democrats like Al Gore and most celebrites? Romney donates money to charity just like your sacred democrats do. You either don't really care and are trying to make republicans angry, or you are a hypocrit. You can't call one part of society stupid and greedy and turn your head away from those who agree with your politics but are doing the same stupid greedy things.
What about the horse elevator? Is it going though?
Many politicians (the best example being the Kennedys) have as much money or more, and yet people love them.
Conclusion: It is not the money, it is the being Republican, the ideology.
Why is this a story to CNN? Baiting rich against the poor, white vs. minorities, women vs. men, etc. Same stuff, different day for CNN.
I live a few blocks away.The elevator is actually a reasonable way of creating more off street parking in a very cramped neighborhood with a serious shortage of street parking. The 11,000 sq ft house however.... who did he pay off to get that approved? It's going to loom over all the properties around it, which average about 2,500 sq ft on – very tiny lots. I'm glad I don't live any closer.
His money was acquired through sociopathic borderline criminal activity that hurt a lot of people, who would have any respect for this detestable person?
I live a few blocks away.The elevator is actually a reasonable way of creating more off street parking in a very cramped neighborhood with a serious shortage of street parking. The 11,000 sq ft house however.... who did he pay off to get that approved? It's going to loom over all the properties around it, which average about 2,500 sq ft on – very tiny lots. I'm glad I don't live any closer.
All paid for with donations for middle class voters who blindly give money to the rich.
Apparently high California taxes and their gun laws did not deter him from living there. The logical choice for Republican would be moving to Texas. Why would a top Republican want to live in Blue state an pay high California property taxes? High taxes are supposed to keep people like Romney off states like California and New York.
Well good for him. Somewhere in the nation a child goes hungry, a person with sickness and hurt can not get proper care because of insurance, and people are homeless, living in storm drains. But Mitt's got the car elevator, and now the sun shines a little brighter in the U.S. because of it.
Thank goodness, I was worried sick that he wouldn't be able to build his mansion with the car elevator he so wanted. Now I can rest easy that this multimillionaire can have what he wanted now that the zoning officials have caved. Thank You Zoning Officials for making Mr. Romney happy that was soooo nice of you!
If you missed it and some of you did that was sarcasm! I really don't give a damn what he builds or if he is happy or that his neighbors are upset that he gets treated special.