Just Don't Call it a 'McMansion'

"The city's planning department believes 'McMansion' has a negative connotation -- a term used to describe 'cookie-cutter' homes that don't mesh with surrounding homes."

"The commission is being asked to weigh in because the architect, Larry Vesely of Riverside, and the city's planning staff have been unable to come to an agreement on what would be an appropriate architectural style for the homes planned for a vacant lot near Summerhill Road and Scenic Ridge Drive."

"After reviewing the initial design submitted by Vesely, Lake Elsinore's planners asked him to describe the type of architecture. He said it was Spanish-colonial. The staff didn't agree, asking him to strengthen the Spanish-colonial influence by adding flourishes such as recessed windows and wrought-iron railings."

"In response to those suggestions, Vesely submitted documents identifying the homes as 'McMansion' in style and he provided background information on 'McMansion' architecture printed from the Internet."