The quirky hilltop home is visible from the freeway, and commuters love it. The city, however, does not.
Officials in the town of Hillsborough in San Mateo County are not pleased with what is known as the "Flintstone House," an unusual home built by architect William Nicholson in 1976.
The current owner, Florence Fang, bought the house in 2017 for $2.8 million and has installed dinosaur sculptures and a "Yabba Dabba Doo" sign. "She also reportedly built a retaining wall, steps, columns, gates, a parking strip and a deck to 'accommodate her plan to use 45 Berryessa for parties and social gatherings.'" reports Michelle Robertson.
Almost all the work was done without the required approvals and permits, and the city deemed the additions "life safety hazards" and the dinosaurs a "highly visible eyesore," says Robertson. Fang has ignored notices from the city to stop work as well as an order to remove the dinosaurs. The city has now filed an injunction to enforce the earlier regulation decisions.
FULL STORY: Yabba Dabba Don't: 'Flintstone House' owner in trouble for dinosaurs, other landscaping improvements
What Has Measure ULA Achieved?
Los Angeles has imposed an additional tax on luxury home sales to generate millions for housing efforts in the city. Shelterforce checks in on where the money has gone, and what’s to come.
San Mateo County Launches AV Strategic Plan
The county is the first in California to develop a plan establishing “a shared vision” for autonomous vehicle deployment.
Top 5 US Cities for Office-to-Residential Conversions
As more and more cities look to adapt vacant office buildings into homes, a new analysis from Urban Institute says some cities will benefit more than others.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research