irvinehomeshopper
Well-known member
Developers found this paradise in OC. Agricultural lands were subdivided and entitled through the planning department in their brand new city hall designed by famous architect.
Treelined parkways and bike friendly sidewalks were built. The home parcels were perfectly engineered with precise width and depth. Multiple builders took one or more 80 home projects based on 3 floor plans with a variation on elevations.
Garages were dominant at the front of the homes with a convenient man door to the house. The developer was clever to make sure the garage is less that 50% of the house width. Knowing that these homes would have neighbors to the sides and rear the lot size was increased to 100'x100' with ample setbacks to both sides as well as the back. Better yet the guideline prevented the builders from doing a second floor that could compromise the neighbors' privacy.
Builders chose windows and doors made possible by technology. Slab on grade construction with open floor plan that featured a dinette or nook between the kitchen and living room with expansive sliders that open to the huge backyard. The baths came with either American Standard or Kohler.
The homes looked similar in the neighborhood after all there were all stucco homes but the landscapings were immaculate and perfectly manicured. Families left the city to buy this American dream. Each neighborhood has a perimeter wall and a project name on the entrance wall uplit behind a floral planter.
New single story schools were built through out the new suburb. Young and inspiring teachers taught students well and the schools were top notched drawing a lot white families to the area. Retail and commercial centers were planned a long the major streets. Many car dealers set their shop in the city.
Developer knew the success to homeownership was to build job center within a 15 minutes drive from home offering jobs from entry level apprentice to executive positions. Local theaters and civic plaza consisted of fire, police and performing art center were established for a full functioning city.
Local architecture became world renowned and were published across the world. Nearby hotels were at least 5 stories.
A freeway was planned adjacent to the city. The developer only allowed commercial with the freeway adjacency instead of residential.
Soon the Asian population also wanted this american dream. Asian kids made the schools academically stellar and of course enrollment impacted. Asians in less than 2 decades became the majority of the population. The nearby cities even has its own ethnic town. Soon the retail businesses have signs and menu in only Asian characters.
Mamasans operated their specialized services in discrete locations not bothering anyone and keeping customers with a happy smile. The city has endless fast foods, Target and Costco in keeping up with the population demand.
Does this sound familiar? I just described Garden Grove.
Treelined parkways and bike friendly sidewalks were built. The home parcels were perfectly engineered with precise width and depth. Multiple builders took one or more 80 home projects based on 3 floor plans with a variation on elevations.
Garages were dominant at the front of the homes with a convenient man door to the house. The developer was clever to make sure the garage is less that 50% of the house width. Knowing that these homes would have neighbors to the sides and rear the lot size was increased to 100'x100' with ample setbacks to both sides as well as the back. Better yet the guideline prevented the builders from doing a second floor that could compromise the neighbors' privacy.
Builders chose windows and doors made possible by technology. Slab on grade construction with open floor plan that featured a dinette or nook between the kitchen and living room with expansive sliders that open to the huge backyard. The baths came with either American Standard or Kohler.
The homes looked similar in the neighborhood after all there were all stucco homes but the landscapings were immaculate and perfectly manicured. Families left the city to buy this American dream. Each neighborhood has a perimeter wall and a project name on the entrance wall uplit behind a floral planter.
New single story schools were built through out the new suburb. Young and inspiring teachers taught students well and the schools were top notched drawing a lot white families to the area. Retail and commercial centers were planned a long the major streets. Many car dealers set their shop in the city.
Developer knew the success to homeownership was to build job center within a 15 minutes drive from home offering jobs from entry level apprentice to executive positions. Local theaters and civic plaza consisted of fire, police and performing art center were established for a full functioning city.
Local architecture became world renowned and were published across the world. Nearby hotels were at least 5 stories.
A freeway was planned adjacent to the city. The developer only allowed commercial with the freeway adjacency instead of residential.
Soon the Asian population also wanted this american dream. Asian kids made the schools academically stellar and of course enrollment impacted. Asians in less than 2 decades became the majority of the population. The nearby cities even has its own ethnic town. Soon the retail businesses have signs and menu in only Asian characters.
Mamasans operated their specialized services in discrete locations not bothering anyone and keeping customers with a happy smile. The city has endless fast foods, Target and Costco in keeping up with the population demand.
Does this sound familiar? I just described Garden Grove.