Mark Zuckerberg's illegal school drove his neighbors crazy

"The Crescent Park neighborhood of Palo Alto, California, has some of the best real estate in the country, with a charming hodgepodge of homes ranging in style from Tudor revival to modern farmhouse and contemporary Mediterranean. It also has a gigantic compound that is home to Mark Zuckerberg, his wife Priscilla Chan, and their daughters Maxima, August, and Aurelia. Their land has expanded to include 11 previously separate properties, five of which are connected by at least one property line."

"The Zuckerberg compound's expansion first became a concern for Crescent Park neighbors as early as 2016, due to fears that his purchases were driving up the market. Then, about five years later, neighbors noticed that a school appeared to be operating out of the Zuckerberg compound. This would be illegal under the area's residential zoning code without a permit. They began a crusade to shut it down that did not end until summer 2025."

Crescent Park in Palo Alto contains a large compound owned by Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, and their daughters. The property expanded to include 11 previously separate parcels, five of which share property lines. Neighbors raised concerns beginning in 2016 that the purchases were inflating local housing prices. Observations indicated a school may have been operating on the compound as early as 2021 without a city permit, possibly enrolling up to 30 students. Residents reported noisy construction, frequent private security presence, and heavy staff and visitor traffic associated with the compound. Public records obtained totaled 1,665 pages and contained redactions of family and neighbor names. Enforcement efforts continued until summer 2025.

Read at Ars Technica