If we can't build up, we'll build down.

Having lived in MB for over 30 years we can't help noticing the mansionization of our little town. More recently though, it is the depths that these mansions are going to add more square footage that is most noticeable. In order to increase size, developers and homeowners are digging deeper and deeper into the ground. In our neighborhood, new homes are allowed 2 stories to a max of 26 feet, and a subterranean garage. The question becomes how is a garage defined? The construction project next door to us which is pictured here is in the process of framing a subterranean "garage" which constitutes the entire footprint of the 50 x 125 lot. To give a sense of scale, the tiny fence at the very top of the massive wall on the left is the six foot fence which separates our properties. The bottom of that tiny fence marks the ground level of our property. This seems rather excessive for a garage unless they have the car collection of Jay Leno, in which case they could probably afford to buy a museum. In a community that is built mostly on sand, it's hard to believe that this is not harmful to the foundations of our homes. When inquiries are made at city hall the stock answer is, the plans are approved. We can't help but wonder if this is what the city had in mind when they allowed homeowners to build subterranean garages?