The Saudi Prince’s mansion that was to be constructed on a five-acre tract of land outside of Beverly Hills is being postponed after neighbors demanded the proposed project be investigated due to the possible environmental concerns. According to Reuters, Prince Abdul Aziz is now suing the city of Los Angeles in order to speed up construction of his home.
The land, which Aziz purchased in 2009, has been sitting vacant for nearly three years. The prince’s company, Tower Lane Properties, claims that studying the mansion’s potential impact on the environment is entirely unnecessary. However, until investigation has been completed, the city will not issue the permits required for the project to move forward.
“Petitioner carefully designed the project to minimize impacts on the environment and the surrounding area,” the lawsuit states. “The project is therefore ‘by right’ because it complies in all respects with all applicable building and zoning ordinances and regulations and requires no discretionary approvals.”
Neighbors, outraged over the enormous home, founded the Save Benedict Canyon Campaign, which was intended to prevent the mansion from ever seeing the light of day. Although Prince Aziz redesigned the 85,000 square foot compound to a smaller, more compact 60,000 square foot abode, his would-be neighbors are still none too thrilled about the building’s appearance in their neck of the woods. They likened the project to the construction of a Walmart Superstore.
“The council member feels that any proposed project needs to undergo the appropriate scrutiny and discussion required by city policies,” said Los Angeles Council member Paul Koretz’s director of communications. “Those policies allow for community input and help protect the environment. That’s as true in this case as it is in any case.”