462, Construct a pool in back yard , Correspondence•
City 0/ leoffin9, ihito
August 25, 1992
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Black
36 Saddleback Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS. CALIF. 90274
f24-3) 377-1521
FAX: (2+91 377.7288
SUBJECT: EXPIRATION OF APPROVALS FOR ZONING CASE NO. 462
RESOLUTION NO. 92-13
36 Saddleback Road (Lot 12-1-RH)
Request for a Variance to permit encroachment into the
rear yard setback to construct a swimming pool and arbor.
Dear Dr. and Mrs. Black:
We would like to remind you that your approvals in the subject
zoning case will expire on September 17, 1992.
You can extend approvals for one year only if you apply to the
Planning Commission in writing to request an extension prior to the
expiration date.
Feel free to call me at (310) 377-1521 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
LOLA UNGAR
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
411 A
C144 0/RO//�4 JUL
CERTIFIED MAIL
September 24, 1991
INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAC
ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274
(213) 377-1521
FAX: (213) 377.7288
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Black
36 Saddleback Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
SUBJECT: ZONING CASE NO. 462, RESOLUTION NO. 91-23
APPEAL PERIOD AND AFFIDAVIT OF ACCEPTANCE FORM
Dear Dr. and Mrs. Black:
Thisletter is to inform you that the City Council, at their
meeting on Monday, September 23, 1991, received and filed the
Planning Commission's approval of your request for a Variance to
permit encroachment into the rear yard setback to construct a
swimming pool and arbor in Zoning Case No. 462.
The approval will become effective:
(1) Twenty days after the receipt of this letter if no appeals
are filed within that time period (Section 17.42.140), AND
(2) An Affidavit of Acceptance Form and the subject Resolution
must be filed by you with the County Recorder (Section
17.32.087).
We have enclosed a copy of RESOLUTION NO. 91-23, specifying the
conditions of approval set forth by the Planning Commission and the
approved Exhibit A to keep for your files. Once you have reviewed
the Resolution, please complete the enclosed AFFIDAVIT OF
ACCEPTANCE FORM, have the signature(s) notarized, and forward to:
County Recorder. Room 15. 227 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
with a check in the amount of $ 5.00 for the first pace and $ 2.00
for each additional page.
The City will notify the Los Angeles County Building & Safety
Division to issue permits only when the Affidavit of Acceptance
is received by us and any conditions of the Resolution required
prior to issuance of building permits are met.
• •
PAGE 2
Please feel free to call me at (213) 377-1521 if you have any
questions.
SINCERELY,
LOLA UNG
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
ENCLOSURES: RESOLUTION NO. 91-23, EXHIBIT A, AND AFFIDAVIT OF
ACCEPTANCE FORM
cc: KEITH PALMER, AIA
• •
RECORDING REQUESTED BY AND MAIL TO: Recorder's Use
State of
County of
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS, CA 90274
Please record this form with the Registrar -Recorder's Office and
return to: City of Rolling Hills, 2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
(The Registrar -Recorder's Office requires that the form be
notarized before recordation).
ACCEPTANCE FORM
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
ZONING CASE NO. 46Z SITE PLAN REVIEW
VARIANCE
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
I (We) the undersigned state:
I am (We are) the owner(s) of the real pjroope`rtyJ described as
follows: ' (2.07,..
1e/1 ) ia-d �iL� fm
y//.;C,4gaz 701
This property is the subject of the above numbered cases.
I am (We are) aware of, and accept, all the stated conditions in
said
ZONING CASE NO. .02 SITE PLAN REVIEW
VARIANCE X
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
I (We) certify (or declare) under the penalty of perjury that the
foregoing is true and correct.
Print Print
Owner Owner
Name Name
Signature Signature
Address Address
City/State City/State
Signatures must be acknowledged by a notary public.
On this the day of
SS.
the undersigned Notary Public personally appeared
19l, before me,
❑ personally known to me
❑ proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence
to be the person(s) whose name(s) subscribed to the
within instrument, and acknowledged that executed it.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Notary's Signature
• •
City 0/ leollinv
September 19, 1991
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Black
36 Saddleback Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
SUBJECT: ZONING CASE NO. 462
Dear Dr. and Mrs. Black:
INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274
(213) 377-1521
FAX (213) 377-7288
This letter shall serve as official notification that Zoning Case
No. 462, a request for a Variance to permit encroachment into the
rear yard setback to construct a swimming pool and arbor was
APPROVED by the Plannning Commission at their regular meeting on
September 17, 1991.
The final Resolution and conditions of APPROVAL will be forwarded
to you after they are signed by the Planning Commission Chairman
and City Clerk.
The Planning Commission's decision will be reported to the City
Council at their regular meeting on September 23, 1991. You should
also be aware that the decision of the Planning Commission may be
appealed within twenty days after you receive the final Resolution
(Sections 17.32.140 and 17.32.150 of the Rolling Hills Municipal
Code).
Feel free to call me at (213) 377-1521 if you have any questions
regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
d9.
LOLA M. UNGAR
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
cc: Keith Palmer, AIA
•
36 Saddleback Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
September 11, 1991
To Members of the Planning Commission:
We are asking for a variance from you to place a swimming
pool in our back yard set back. This would be right outside my
kitchen window with easy access for a disabled person.
Unfortunately, I do have polymyocitis which is a chronic
muscle infection. This weakens and swells all muscles of my body
and, by so doing, there is no strength in my joints (example --on
my good days I can only lift four plates at a time) . I am
currently on 50 mg of prednisone (cortisone) every other day and
methotrexate 20 mg once a week (this is a cancer chemotherapy
drug) plus various other muscle -help drugs. I go to UCLA to Dr.
Bevra Hahn who is professor and head of the Department of Rheuma-
tology.
Now my problem is this: someone asked why we, didn't put the.
pool in the front yard (also requiring a variance). I have great
difficulty now getting down the many steps to our front yard. I
shutter to think what it will be like as I get older and more
diseased. I was diagnosed in 1986 and a week ago my CPK (blood
testing done at Torrance Memorial Hospital) was 739. Normal is
under 170, so I am definitely not on the mend.
I would very much like to have a pool ,o enjoy with my
grandchildren (ages six months and 21/2 years). Also, with our last
two children married this year, we hope to have some more.
Unfortunately, if I cannot have it in the back yard, then we will
not be putting one in. After five years of disease, I see little
hope of freedom from it in the future.
I am always fearful of falling. Also,. subconsciously, I was
probably thinking of myself when I made such a fuss about everyone
slipping and falling when you went next door to visit the Cummings'
property. That area is very difficult for me to go down; coming up
is much better.
We will screen our pool from the house above, not only for
them but for ourselves as well. Just to see our place you can
see we love trees and bushes. We are not going to jeopardize what
we have.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Gladys 0. Black
z�/,(`/
r/ 1'c_n_
s
City 0/!2 Rolling JdeP,
August 22, 1991
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Black
36 Saddleback Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274
(213) 377-1521
FAX: (213) 377-7288
SUBJECT: ZONING CASE NO. 462
36 Saddleback Road (Lot 12-1-RH)
Request for a Variance to permit encroachment into the
rear yard setback to construct a swimming pool and arbor.
Dear Dr. and Mrs. Black:
We have arranged for the Planning Commission to conduct a field
inspection of your property to view the proposed project site on
Thursday, September 5, 1991 at 5:30 PM.
The owner and/or representative should be present to answer any
questions regarding the proposal.
Feel free to call me at (213) 377-1521 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
LOLA M. UNGAire"---
R
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
cc: Mr. Keith Palmer
FLDTRP/LMU
• •
8/16/91
TO: CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
1-1I-EMHUM
uU AUG19 1991
City Of Rolling Hills
RE: ZC 462 REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO PERMIT ENCROACHMENT INTO
REAR YARD SETBACK, LOT 12-2—RH
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
THIS LETTER IS IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO OUR REVIEW OF THE PLANS
PREPARED BY NEIL STANTON PALMER ON FILE WITH THE CITY FOR THE
PROPOSED POOL AND ARBOR ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.
AS OWNERS OF AND RESIDENTS OF 34 SADDLEBACK ROAD (THE PROPERTY
DIRECTLY NORTH OF THE PROJECT) WE ARE THE MOST SERIOUSLY EFFECTED
BY THE PROPOSED ADDITION AND STRONGLY OPPOSE THE APPROVAL OF THIS
PLAN FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS.
1. PRIVACY
THE PROPOSED RELOCATION OF THE DRIVEWAY AND ENTRY INTO
GARAGE TO ACCOMMODATE THE POOL LOCATION POSES A SERIOUS
THREAT TO OUR PRIVACY. THE CURRENT SITUATION IS BAD
ENOUGH AND APPROVAL OF THIS VARIANCE WILL MAKE MATTERS
EVEN WORSE.
THE BLACK'S PROPERTY ACCORDING TO THE PARTIAL AND
INCOMPLETE TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY IS APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET
HIGHER THAN OURS. THEY CURRENTLY LOOK DOWN ONTO OUR
HOUSE AND SPECIFICALLY OUR BEDROOMS. THIS ADDITION
WILL MAGNIFY THE 'FISHBOWL' TYPE FEELING WE ALREADY HAVE
TO PUT UP WITH. THE RELOCATION OF THE DRIVEWAY AND
GARAGE ENTRY WILL REQUIRE THE REMOVAL OF A SIGNIFICANT
NUMBER OF EXISTING TREES THAT OFFER A MINIMUM
AMOUNT OF VISUAL PRIVACY. THE EFFECT THIS WILL HAVE ON
OUR QUALITY OF LIFE WILL BE DEVASTATING.
IN ADDITION THE LIGHTS FROM THE CARS GOING IN AND OUT
OF THE DRIVEWAY AND GARAGE WILL SHINE DIRECTLY INTO OUR
BEDROOMS. LANDSCAPING ALONE WILL NOT KEEP THE LIGHT OUT.
AS IT IS NOW THEIR CAR LIGHTS SHINE THROUGH OUR WINDOWS
AS THEY COME UP THEIR DRIVEWAY. WHY DO WE HAVE TO MAKE
A BAD SITUATION EVEN WORSE?
• •
2. NOISE
AS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW THE BLACK'S HOUSE WAS BUILT
WITH A REDUCED SIDEYARD SETBACK THAT PUT IT CLOSER TO
OUR HOUSE THAN CURRENT CODES WOULD ALLOW. THEY HAVE
LOCATED THEIR AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT IN THAT SETBACK
BETWEEN THEIR HOUSE AND OURS. THE NOISE FROM THEIR AIR
CONDITIONING UNIT IS VERY DISTURBING AND NOW THEY ARE
PROPOSING TO LOCATE THE POOL EQUIPMENT IN THE SAME
SETBACK. THE SIZE OF THE EQUIPMENT IS 'TO BE
DETERMINED'. THE NOISE GENERATED FROM THIS ADDITIONAL
EQUIPMENT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO US. HOW WILL THIS BE
SCREENED? IT CAN'T. CARS GOING IN AND OUT OF THE GARAGE
AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY AND NIGHT WILL ALSO CREATE
UNDESIRABLE NOISE. THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PROPOSED
FOUNTAIN ARE ALSO UNKNOWN AND SHOULD NOT BE APPROVED
UNTIL MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
OUR PROPERTY USED TO BE A VERY PEACEFUL PLACE TO LIVE,
BUT THIS ADDITION WILL CHANGE THAT FOR THE WORSE.
3. ATMOSPHERE
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE RURAL COUNTRY ATMOSPHERE THAT
IS SO UNIQUE AND PRECIOUS TO ROLLING HILLS? IF THIS
PROJECT IS APPROVED THE CITY IS SERVING NOTICE TO ALL
RESIDENTS THAT ANY NEIGHBOR CAN BUILD RIGHT ON TOP OF
ANOTHER OR PUT A GARAGE, DRIVEWAY, OR POOL NEXT TO A
NEIGHBOR'S BEDROOM. JUST LOOK AT THE SITE PLAN PROVIDED
BY THE BLACK'S. THE POOL IS LOCATED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE
OF THEIR HOUSE, OUR HOUSE AND THE GRAF'S HOUSE LOCATED
TO THE EAST OF THE BLACK'S. WOULD IT NOT MAKE MORE
SENSE FOR THE BLACK'S TO RELOCATE THE POOL AND ARBOR
IN THEIR FRONT YARD? WE WERE TOLD BY THE CITY STAFF THAT
THE GRADING REQUIRED WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO BUILD IN
THE FRONT YARD. WHERE IS THE DATA THAT SUPPORTS THIS
CONCLUSION? THE FACT THAT THE TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY IS NOT
COMPLETE MAKES IT OBVIOUS THAT THE FRONT YARD WAS NOT
SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED AS THE LOCATION OF THE POOL AND
ARBOR. IT IS, HOWEVER, THE BEST LOCATION FOR THE BLACKS
AND THEIR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE LOOKED AT THIS OPTION AND
IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE IS SUFFICIENT LEVEL AREA
AVAILABLE TO BUILD A POOL WITHOUT EXCEEDING THE GRADING
REQUIREMENTS.
WHERE WILL THE BLACKS LOCATE THEIR STABLE?
IS IT NOT A REQUIREMENT THAT EVERY HOME AT LEAST
DESIGNATE A STABLE LOCATION? THE PLANS DO NOT ADDRESS
THIS ISSUE.
4. GOOD NEIGHBORS
THE BLACKS HAVE NEVER BEEN GOOD NEIGHBORS. THEY HAVE
PERIODICALLY CUT BRANCHES OFF OUR TREES WITHOUT OUR
KNOWLEDGE OR PERMISSION. THEIR PROPERTY FENCES ARE
NOT MAINTAINED AND ARE UNSIGHTLY AT BEST. OVER THE
YEARS THERE HAS BEEN AN ON -GOING PROBLEM WITH OUR TREES
RESULTING IN THE REMOVAL OF SEVERAL OF OUR TREES.
• S
THE BLACKS HAVE NEVER ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY US OF
THIS PROPOSED ADDITION EVEN THOUGH IT EFFECTS US THE
MOST. WE FEEL THE CITY SHOULD MAINTAIN THE CURRENT
SETBACK REQUIREMENTS. WE HAVE NO DESIRE TO BE ANY CLOSER
TO THE BLACKS THAN WE ALREADY ARE LET ALONE BE CONSTANTLY
DISTURBED BY THEIR CAR LIGHTS AND NOISES GENERATED BY
THIS ADDITION.
5. PROPERTY VALUES
THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT IN OUR MINDS THAT THE APPROVAL OF
THIS ADDITION WILL DEVALUE OUR PROPERTY. NOBODY WANTS
THEIR BEDROOM ADJACENT TO A GARAGE, DRIVEWAY, POOL
EQUIPMENT, OR POOL. WHY SHOULD OUR PROPERTY VALUE BE
COMPROMISED FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS?
6. CITY REVIEW
WE WHERE ONLY INFORMED OF THE PROPOSED ADDITION BY THE
CITY TWO WEEKS AGO AND WERE SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THAT THIS
PROJECT HAD ALMOST BEEN APPROVED WITHOUT PROPER CITY
PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOL. BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE ON
THIS PROJECT WE FEEL IT APPROPRIATE FOR THE CITY TO VISIT
THE SITE AND OUR PROPERTY TO SEE FIRST HAND WHAT OUR
CONCERNS ARE. THIS PROJECT SHOULD BE REVIEWED AGAIN BY
ALL THE APPROPRIATE AGENCIES.
IT MUST ALSO BE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE DEED RESTRICTIONS
IT IS 'BLACK AND WHITE' THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE ANY TREES
PLANTED IN THE EASEMENT. THE BLACKS CURRENTLY HAVE
PEPPER TREES IN THEIR FRONT EASEMENT THAT SERIOUSLY
OBSTRUCT OUR VIEW OF DOWNHILL, ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH IS
A SERIOUS HAZARD FOR MY FAMILY PULLING OUT OF OUR
DRIVEWAY. THESE KIND OF VIOLATIONS MUST NOT BE
OVERLOOKED, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VIOLATORS ARE REQUESTING
AMMENDMENTS TO ADDITIONAL CITY REQUIREMENTS.
6. CONCLUSIONS
BASED ON THE REASONS WE HAVE OUTLINED, THIS PROJECT
SHOULD BE DENIED. IF ANY TYPE OF ADDITION IS APPROVED
FOR THE BLACKS IN THE FUTURE THERE SHOULD BE CONDITIONS
PROTECTING THE PRIVACY, PROPERTY VALUES, AND QUALITY OF
LIFE OF THEIR NEIGHBORS.
RESPECTFULLY,
r7
RUTH CUMMING
34 SADDLEBACK ROAD, ROLLING HILLS
City of Rolling
INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957
w
STATUS OF APPLICATION
NOTIFICATION LETTER
August 6, 1991
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Black
36 Saddleback Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274
(213) 377-1521
FAX: (213) 377-7288
SUBJECT: Zoning Case No. 462, 36 Saddleback Road (Lot 12-2-RH)
A request for a Variance to permit encroachment into the
,rear yard setback to construct a swimming pool and arbor.
Dear Dr. and Mrs. Black:
Pursuant to state law the City's staff has completed a preliminary
review of the application noted above and finds that the
information submitted is:
X Sufficiently complete as of the date indicated above to allow
the application to be processed.
Please note that the City may require further information in order
to clarify, amplify, correct, or otherwise supplement the
application. If the City requires such additional information, it
is strongly suggested that you supply that informatin promptly to
avoid any delay in the processing of the application.
Your application for Zoning Case No. 462 has been set for public
hearing consideration by the Planning Commission at their meeting
on Tuesday. Auaust 20, 1991.
The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers, Rolling
Hills City Hall Administration Building, 2 Portuguese Bend Road,
Rolling Hills. You or your designated representative must attend
to present your project and to answer questions.
The staff report for this project will be available at the City
Hall after 3:00 PM on Friday, August 16, 1991. Please arrange to
pick up the staff report to preview it prior to the hearing.
Feel free to call me at (213) 377-1521 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
LOLA M. UNGAR
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
cc: Mr. Keith Palmer, A.I.A.