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none, , Correspondence(310) 544-6222 RRIPtn9 cJ/tL'Lt Community c2t.oetation of cRancfio PaLo1 q%2c%4 No. 1 PDRTUGUESE BEND RD. • RDLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274 ROLLING HILLS March 10, 2009 Ward Johnson 436 Bellflower Blvd., #309 Long Beach, California 90814 Dear Mr. Johnson: CALIFORNIA RECE 0- (310) 544-6766 FAX ED MAR 18 2009 City of Rolling Hills By In January, Don Crocker forwarded your letter to me at the Association office and shared your concerns about the dense brush on the properties adjacent to your mother's house at 20 Cinchring Road in Rolling Hills. I apologize for not responding to your letter until now. Other homeowners share your concerns about the land owned by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy that abuts Rolling Hills. The Rolling Hills City Manager, Anton Dahlerbruch, and I have met with the director of the Land Conservancy and the Planning Director for the city of Rancho Palos Verdes to discuss these issues. I am aware that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has identified areas on the Conservancy land that require brush clearance to meet the County Fire Department's brush clearance requirements. These regulations require that brush must be cleared from areas within 200 feet of a building or structure (i.e. residence or accessory building). I have also been in contact with the maintenance department for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and they have informed me that the City is implementing a plan to clear these areas in the coming months to comply with the regulations. I hope this addresses your questions and concerns. Please feel welcome to contact me at the Association office if you would like to discuss this matter further. Best wishes, Kristen Raig Manager cc: Patricia Johnson Don Crocker, RHCA Board of Directors Anton Dahlerbruch, City Manager, City of Rolling Hills Johnson-PVPLC WeedClearance 01-14-09 • WARD JOHNSON 436 BELLFLOWER BLVD. #309 EMAIL: WJOHNSONI7((17MSN.COM LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA 90814 TELEPHONE (562) 494-8283 January 5, 2009 Mr. & Mrs. Don Crocker #14 Cinchring Road Rolling Hills, CA 90274 Dear Mr. & Mrs. Crocker, I hope this finds you and your family all well, prosperous, safe and happy in this new year. Recently my mother has complained to me about the amount tall dense brush that has been thriving across her property line which she shares with the Rolling Hills City Limits and becomes Rancho Palos Verdes on the other side of it. You are quite aware of the significant implications this subject involves having been through the 1974 fire. She is getting up there in years and without my father around to handle her legal matters as such I am the natural order in the selection process I suppose. Having recently viewed the fall fire storms an awareness that the same conditions are present in our midst and need to be addressed as soon as possible. I have since written to the Peninsula Center Fire Station 106 that is battalion headquarters and where a friend of mine is stationed. I have also written a letter to the Rancho Palos Verdes city manager and sent a copy to the mayor. Enclosed please find copies of both documents. Although I have yet to hear from them, we at best have the ground work laid for a case against their willful negligence to clear their land of brush. An additional concern that has arisen is the property lot below the Rubel's (#15). A gentleman purchased the lot and there is only the narrow horse easement between their property and my mother's to access it. That land is also unstable I understand due to the new owners at #15 installing a swimming pool, thus making a paved driveway or roadway further out of the question. This lot just sits and the owner wonders how and what possible way he will ever be able to build. Meanwhile this land parcel has z,ecome overgrown with tall weeds just like the perimeter outside my mother's property has. Hopefully, between us neighbors all working as a coalition against these failed weed- eradicationists that they will be forced to remove them before a tragedy strikes. Should you wish to discuss this with me further, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best wishes, Ward Johnson "WARD G. JOHNSON, £P.A. 436 BELLFLOWER BLVD. #309 EMAIL: WJOHNSON17qMSN.COM LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA 90814 TELEPHONE (562) 494-8283 Captain Andy Olvera, Fire Station 106 Los Angeles County Fire Department 27413 Indian Peak Road Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 Dear Captain Olvera, December 14, 2008 CVY): 03 G My mother contacted me the other stating that there is a disagreement between brush clearance from her residence with the Rancho Palos Verdes officials. Her property line backs up to the city limits between Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes. She has cleared the brush back to her property line and believes that the remaining brush to be cleared is the responsibility of Rancho Palos Verdes since it is on their property and it threatens her residence. Thusfar she has spoken with personnel at both Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall and Fire Station 56 with no results. During the Rolling Hills Fire of 1974, of 35 homes that burned two of them were located on Cinchring Road (#13 & #14). Her house was being constructed and fortunately only the foundation had been completed on the day of the fire. Very likely it was the foundation pad that had been cut into the hillside that prevented the destruction of additional homes being destroyed. She had her home completed with stone tile roof and a sprinkler system around the property perimeter. However we are aware of how flying embers can get under the eaves under the roof overhangs and still ignite. I am in no position to advise her what to do either way. I am unfamiliar with brush clearance regulations as it pertains to municipal property in respect to their obligation to their neighbors when it involves their land with a neighbor affected outside of their city limits. I would appreciate it if you would kindly forward this letter on to the appropriate individual in Fire Prevention Office who could correctly advise her what the protocol is and the steps she needs to take in order for Rancho Palos Verdes officials to clear their brush a proper distance. Her name is Patricia Johnson, address is #20 Cinchrina Road, Rollins Hills and telephone is 310-541- 6886. For the ease in locating her place the Th;,rr ias Brothers map coordinates are 823-D-4, ironically the same grid box that Fire Station 56 is located also. Cordially, Ward G. Johnson M.P.A. cc: Patricia Johnson RD G. JOHNS°. M.P.A. IDYLLWILD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, HONORARY MEMBER 436 BELLFLOWER BLVD. #309 EMAIL: WJOHNSON17a(MSN.COM LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA 90814 TELEPHONE (562) 494-8283 December 20, 2008 Ms. Carolyn Lehr, City Manager Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall 30940 Hawthorne'Blvd. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274 Dear Mrs. Lehr: CPYYNG This year goes on the record for being the worst year in the state's history for loss of homes, property and watershed due to firestorms throughout California. Remember we citizens are confident in and count on those we elect to public office to make wise decisions that are done in our best interests. My mother contacted me the other stating that there is a disagreement between your city who are responsible for brush clearance from beyond her property line boundary and within Rancho Palos Verdes city limits. She explained to me that on numerous occasions over the past years she has been told, "No." by Rancho Palos Verdes city officials to her request for them to clear flammable brush from their city property that threatens hers and neighboring homes. Since city officials she has spoken with will not clear existing flammable brush, she not only has to contract and pay for the clearance of this flammable brush within and along her entire property perimeter, but also Paid for 200 feet beyond her Property line into Rancho Palos Verdes Drooerty. Her name is Patricia Johnson, address is #20 Cinchring Road, Rolling Hills and telephone is 310-541-6886. For the ease in locating her place the Thomas Brothers map coordinates are 823-D-4, Her property line backs right up even with the city limits between Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes borders. You may wish to have her furnish you with a statement for all of the years she has been paying for your delinquent brush clearance fees that it appears you owe her some past due funds. This is really not fair that she has to do this. I am frankly dumbfounded that an issue as vital as fire prevention when we have just witnessed one of the worst years of fire storms on record in the state how you can continue to ignore her pleas with you to clear the brush on your property? Very likely you open yourselves to a substantial lawsuit once fire does affect this area and hers and others lose their homes due to your refusal to comply. Even local government municipalities are expected to comply with the National Fire Protection Administration's (N.F.P.A.) codes or Los Angeles County Fire Department ordinances since they pertain to all of us. Letter from Ward G. Johnson toe. Caroyn Lehr, city manager re: 20 Cinchring Road, Rolling Hills brush overgrowth complaint Page Two of Two Pages If Rancho Palos Verdes discovers that it may impractical to run a tractor or other vehicle over the area endangering, it may wish to contract for conservation camp personnel through the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Forestry Bureau. She has alerted me because she believes that since the brush is within your city boundaries on your property so you need to clear it out particularly when inhabited structures, such as her home and at least eight others are threatened. Needless to say, this letter will go on record in the event that you continue to allow the brush to grow within 200 feet of her property line go unattended. There is no way that anyone can claim negligence because they were unaware of this impending flammable brush condition present. During the Rolling Hills Fire of 1974, of 35 homes that burned two of them were located on Cinchring Road (#13 & #14). Her house was being constructed and fortunately only the foundation had been completed on the day of the fire. Very likely it was the foundation pad that had been cut into the hillside that prevented the destruction of additional homes being destroyed. The remaining homes that were not lost no longer have the firebreak of her home's foundation to stop the fire and your compliance not only will save her home but another eight neighboring homes also. As a professional city manager why is there willful ignorance by the Rancho Palos Verdes city officials against citizens who merely are trying to protect their homes from destruction from a firestorm which could occur at any time under the ongoing draught? I would appreciate it if you would notify Mrs. Johnson of your intentions to comply with the laws as they pertain to brush clearance and look into reimbursing her for the back years she has paid the brush clearance expenses out of her pocket for you. Very Truly Yours, Ward G. Johnson M.P.A. cc: Patricia Johnson Mr. Larry Clark, Mayor Rancho Palos Verdes Captain A. Olvera Los Angeles County Fire Department CO!Y Y 1tGI14.