U2's Edge facing opposition over project

MALIBU, Calif., March 29 (UPI) -- A real estate project masterminded by the U2 guitarist known as the Edge threatens the environment in Malibu, Calif., some residents say.

Jefferson Wagner, who will serve as Malibu mayor starting in September, said he will oppose the Edge's plan to build a house called "Leaves in the Wind" and fund that construction by building four other mansions in the Malibu area, The Sunday Times of London reported.

"This is not what Malibu is about. These kind of places are ego run riot," said Wagner, a former Calvin Klein model.

Area building project manager Jim Smith said the guitarist's plan to build his dream house overlooking the area coastline will "deface the mountainside."

"The Edge was very friendly -- said he wanted to be a good neighbor. His kids love it up here. But the plans for these houses, which could sell for $40 million each, will deface the mountainside," Smith said, referring to his previous run-ins with the rocker.

The U2 rocker, whose real name is David Howell Evans, is to appear before a coastal commission in June to gain approval to build on the real estate site he purchased for $9.2 million.