By lection of California bungalow, Spanish and American Colonial Revival-style homes. The neighborhood was designated as a historic district, one of two in the city, in 1990.
“The residents who are trying to build these modern style monstrosities do not have an appreciation for history,” long-time historic district resident John Smithers said. “I believe that living like our forefathers will help them gain that appreciation.”
As a result of the ban, residents were forced to exchange their hybrid vehicles for horse-drawn carriages, hair dryers for Asian-decorative fans, and showers for skinny dips in the Santa Monica Beach. The lights that line the historic district have also been replaced with gas lamps.
In an effort to go green, City Hall has decided to pay homeless people a stipend to do what they do best — dig through trash for recyclable material.
Residents said they haven’t had too much difficulty adapting to the Amish lifestyle, some saying they prefer the simple life. Some do admit experiencing difficulty in cultivating their own livestock, milking the cows and managing a hen house. Some neighbors residing outside of the district have complained about being awaken by the sounds of a rooster early in the morning.
“I don’t understand why they chose to live like someone in a third-world country,” James Jones, who lives just outside of the district, said. “If they want to live like the Amish, they should move to Amish country.”
Along with a lack of power also comes an increase in crime.
The Santa Monica Police Department reported a spike in home burglaries since the power ban went into effect, a result of losing access to home security alarm systems.
“I think almost every house on this block has been hit up at least twice,”Lt.Alen Padillo of the SMPD said on Monday.“I don’t know why the burglars keep coming back, it’s not like they have any electronics lying around the house.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 1, 2008. Read the original PDF.