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Housing the Duffields

We can't imagine criticizing someone for pursuing the American dream of homeownership. We feel strongly that people should have the right to build the house of their choosing. It is important, however, that the dream fit into the neighborhood and a 72,000-square-foot home does not fit into Bryan Ranch in the foothills of Mount Diablo.

PeopleSoft founder David Duffield and his wife Cheryl have planned such a home at the end of Country Oak Lane, where the other homes nestle tastefully on the hillsides. None of the homes is small, ranging from 3,000 to 9,000 square feet, and the largest is a noticeably large home. The homeowners in Bryan Ranch tell us they bought and built in that area specifically for the natural setting as lots intertwine with the open space of Mount Diablo, and many of them have expressed alarm at the possibility of a mega-mansion in their midst. There are properties that could accommodate such a building gracefully but this is not one of them. Even with 35,000 square feet planned to be underground, the home would look out of place.

David Duffield is legendary for the informal company culture he created at PeopleSoft and his sensitivity to employees and their needs. He and his wife have also given generously to animal rescue and welfare organizations. They both have reputations as caring, giving people who along with their family would be wonderful to have living in our community again. It comes as a surprise that they want to build an oversized home so out of character with a neighborhood that is known for being environmentally friendly.

We hope the Duffields will either scale back their plans so that the home fits better into the neighborhood or that they find other acreage in our area that would better accommodate their vision. While we support anyone's right to build their dream, it should not create a nightmare for those who live near it.