Re: [GBlist] SUV really off topic.

[Ron Cascio <rcascio@beachin.net>]

Brenda Norman wrote:

> Seth,
> ....The discussion on SUV's has yet to include any reference to planning
> communities, or even homes based on the amount of automobile use and, until
> it does, is off topic.
> Brenda
> -----

   I, for one, have been tired of trying to build green homes in sprawl
subdivisions amongst ticky-tack plastic and stucco McMansions. So now we are
putting our money where our mouths are and developing an infill project with
small lots centered around a village green on a site within a two minute walk
from Main St in a small Md. Eastern Shore town. We suspect that some moving
there will be able to get rid of one of their cars and walk to just about
anything they require. It is a prefect situation for an SUV/Pickup sharing
venture and we hope to institute one as soon as we can.
   Our family owns two small station wagons and a pickup. A majority of our
hauling is handled by the roof rack and the large volume interior of the
wagons. A few dozen 12-14 foot 2Xs are easily loaded on the roof and anything
5 foot can be hauled in the cargo area. The pickup is only put into service
for plywood or other large/heavy items which we forget to have delivered. And
we support the local lumber yard in town instead of the Home Despot just
built out on the hwy. The wagons are great for vacations and can handle all
our goods and two large dogs. Even with a baby on the way we don`t see any
need for a larger vehicle, just more stuff on the roof rack and some air
shocks. And they can travel over 900 miles one one tank of fuel.
   We will be the first to build our own home in our new neighborhood project
with the intention of  keeping the two wagons and pickup parked in the
driveway as much as possible. Even though the wagons get 43 MPG  and all our
vehicles are powered by a clean, domestic alternative fuel we`ll be making a
huge dent in our personal transportation needs/damage by walking to most of
our destinations.
   SUVs are a product of poor land use/planning and a wayward society
afflicted with Petroleum Madness. This can`t last too much longer before it
collapses around big toys and bad ideas.
   Sure will be interesting to watch the 21st century American folly from
Main Street.


Ron


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