Full scale mockup of building, of wire and fencing material?

May 6, 2024 4:24 PM

We passed this...structure on Highway 1 in California, and I really want to know what it's for. It has a poster attached, depicting different aspects of a planned building. There is no other verbiage or information anywhere on the lot. My question: why would someone build a 1:1 scale maquette like this? What is the deal, here?
posted by german_bight to Grab Bag (6 answers total)

This is likely to show the full extent of the planned structure and if/how it'll obstruct any views. This gives neighbors a chance to object if, for example, it would block their view of the ocean, mountains, etc.
posted by Woodroar at 4:38 PM on May 6 [6 favorites]

I immediately came to the conclusion Woodroar did, particularly since this was on Highway 1. We get similar, though not as extensive, demarcations in my neighborhood (we live on a hill with a view).
posted by queensissy at 5:08 PM on May 6

Best answer: Story Poles

Story Poles (city of Monterey pdf)

Los Gatos eases pole requirement for developments
posted by ActingTheGoat at 5:33 PM on May 6 [7 favorites]

Story poles is exactly it, for the reasons Woodroar listed, along with maybe just plain old how big is it compared to other buildings in the area.

Since the Coastal Act passed in California in 1972, it is basically unlawful to restrict access for the public to the ocean, and that can be interpreted to mean visually as well as physically. The California Coastal Commission is the overall governing body, but delegates how access is maintained to local jurisdictions (like at a city or county level rather than state) - the smaller jurisdictions will come up with their plan and submits it to the commission for approval and then administers it according to those regulations so things can vary in different parts of the state. Some areas require story poles, some do not. San Diego, for instance, does not, but does have a blanket 30 foot height limit west of Interstate 5; for special developments like the roller coasters at Sea World or rebuilding the local sports arena, the city has to vote to remove the height limit for that area.

In some subdivisions with active and enforced CC&Rs that cover maintaining views, story poles may be required regardless of what the local jurisdiction wants.
posted by LionIndex at 5:50 PM on May 6 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: TIL! Story poles are utterly new to me. Thanks, all.
posted by german_bight at 6:39 PM on May 6 [4 favorites]

I also saw story poles in urban areas while living in the Bay Area, so it seems like they're also used far from the coast sometimes.
posted by Inkslinger at 6:13 PM on May 7