In 1986 , Michael DeDomenico , an heir to the family controlling Rice-a-Roni and Ghirardelli , bought Carolands , and that year developers commissioned an Environmental Impact Report in support of a proposal to further subdivide the land and build additional houses . In 1989 , the house suffered superficial damage in the Loma Prieta earthquake leading its owners to consider demolishing it . In 1997 , a new owner proposed carving the house into fifteen condominiums , but the Hillsborough town charter banned multi-family residences
Loma Prieta earthquake
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Carolands