City is right to review homes

Dozens of homeowners whose houses are taller than the law allows at

least can be thankful they violated Newport Beach city codes.

The Newport Beach City Council last week wisely decided not to

punish homeowners of 32 properties built beyond city allowances

because an architect, Andrew Goetz, allegedly submitted wrong survey

information. Instead, the council is on its way to approving “special

circumstances variances” for six homes, if not more, that are now

under construction.

“We’re going to look at every property individually,” Mayor Steve

Bromberg told worried homeowners at a council meeting earlier this

month.

By taking each house on a case-by-case basis, the council isn’t

taking the easy route, but it is certainly on the right one. No one

should be punished for the actions of someone else.

Goetz was arrested Oct. 15 on suspicion of forgery after city

officials alleged he had falsified survey information on building

documents filed at City Hall. Since then, city staff members have

identified at least 32 homes about which they say Goetz may have

provided false information. Twelve are already built and could be

subject to review later. Of the 13 Goetz-designed homes under

construction, six are near completion and will be reviewed by city

officials as soon as possible.

Such an effort by City Hall is not unusual and is an example of

the aggressive civic service Newport Beach residents have come to

expect from their representatives and city workers. Reviewing the

construction of individual houses will, of course, take extra time

and effort. But for homeowners “devastated” -- as one of the affected

women said -- by the revelations, it will be time well spent.