Neighbors aren’t the problem this time Since...

Neighbors aren’t the problem this time

Since Kathleen Robinson has taken to the papers to air her

grievances (“Dream house vs. nightmare neighbors,” Coastline Pilot,

June 18), I would like to be so bold as to correct the record on

behalf of her neighbors.

Contrary to the picture that she paints, we are actually a really

friendly and outgoing bunch. We go to parties at one another’s

houses, greet one another on the street and consult one another

before making any changes to our property that might affect others.

The thing that needs to be understood is that we all live on small

parcels overlooking the ocean in South Laguna. If you have strong

privacy issues, as reflected by the numerous “do not trespass” signs

posted on the Robinson property or the walls and trees that they have

put up to “protect their privacy,” things get complicated.

For instance, they have allowed the bougainvillea on the east side

of their property to grow to more than 12 feet, entirely taking

another neighbor’s whitewater views away. Six of those 12 feet in no

way add to their privacy, yet they refused to trim this monster when

politely asked by that neighbor who also offered to pay for it.

They have also added a tall fence along the east side of their

property that, to the best of our knowledge, is built on city

property. We do live in a city in which the local authorities are

notoriously indecisive and unwilling to enforce any building codes,

but that still does not make it right. If it isn’t yours, don’t build

on it.

Finally, they continue to plant trees, some of which have grown

close to 20 feet tall. These provide them with no additional privacy

but have started to take away other neighbors’ ocean views.

There are rules and regulations, not forgetting plain courtesy,

good manners and civility that we need to live by, because these are

the essence of a civilized society. Laguna is not the Wild West or

prairie country. It’s really congested, and without adhering to these

rules, it won’t work. I wonder how the Robinsons would feel if

someone to the west of their property were to do to them what they

have done to those on the east of theirs. I am sure they would insist

that the same regulations they are now flaunting be enforced.

This has been going on for more than two years now and has to

stop. They need to understand that when we are on our decks, it is

not to look at them; we are looking at the beautiful Pacific,

Catalina and Treasure Island. That is why we live here.

On another note, one of the reasons there is so much conflict in

Laguna is that the once-idyllic coastal village is being bought up by

billionaires with a 10,000-square-foot living habit and a “my way or

the highway” attitude to go with it.

The architects, builders and the Design Review Board are bending

over backward to accommodate this cash influx to the detriment of the

rest of us who have been living here for years and love our cottages.

You can’t just buy up these little houses with the intention of

tearing them down and imposing your lifestyle on others. If you want

big, go somewhere else, or do it in a way that does not harm your

neighbors. This is what the city needs to legislate. (FYI: We

recently remodeled our home and went through the design-review

process. But we took care of our neighbors’ issues before ever

appearing before the board, so none of our neighbors objected to our

design. It is possible to build, landscape and maintain privacy

without imposing your desires on others).

Realtors should be made to hand out brochures to prospective

buyers that clearly define what can or cannot be done, so these kinds

of nasty, ongoing situations do not arise. Only then will the hearts

of Lagunatics stop skipping a beat every time a builder or landscape

architect pulls up next to their neighbors.

We do live in South Laguna because of the views, not because of

the trees. The topography prevents anyone from having 100% privacy in

their houses; the Robinsons should have known that when they bought

their property. Why complain about it now and make life horrible for

the neighbors?

We have lost a lot of our freedoms in the last four years, but we

are still free enough to exercise our right to move. If privacy and

trees are the main issues for the Robinsons, move to Laguna Niguel or

Tustin.

ALEX ROSS

Laguna Beach

Some suggested changes for Shack

The following is a response to the project architect’s visit to

our house on June 22 in connection with the Pottery Shack project.

During the visit to our home, we were asked whether the current

proposal of the renovation of the existent buildings to include

retail stores, a restaurant and office space, with no new building on

the site, would be acceptable to the Village Flatlanders Neighborhood

Assn. We indicated that with the limited parking, this would not be

acceptable.

If the proponent can guarantee/create a written mechanism that

forbids either himself or any subsequent owner, the following three

conditions we will consider an unobjectionable position pending more

details:

1) No additional square footage of office/retail space on the

entire site.

2) As suggested by numerous long-term residents, the space at

Brooks Street and Coast Highway is to be designated (also in

perpetuity) for pottery/ceramic usage, including a demo or

interactive element to retain its historical nature/function. Perhaps

it could be named “Pottery Corner” so that regardless of former owner

Suzi Whelton’s strategy, there is a heritage or landmark connection.

3) No restaurant.

Conclusion:

By removing the on-site restaurant and increased square footage

(especially the rear lot) we feel that the intensification can be

mitigated below the level of significance per the California

Environmental Quality Act.

DARRYLIN GIRVIN

Vice President

Village Flatlanders

Neighborhood Assn.

Laguna Beach

City needs to take look at the budget

The city’s employee costs are rising out of control, particularly

aggravated by rising healthcare, workers’ comp and pension costs.

Although city revenues are rising nicely, there is little left after

increases in employee costs.

A quick review of the city’s revenue summary, recently downloaded

from the city’s website, shows a nice increase in revenues:

* Property tax estimated at $13.3 million for 2003-04 and $14.8

million for 2004-05

* Sales tax estimated at $ 3.7 million for 2003-04 and $4.06

million for 2004-05

Taxes are not too low. With the $1.4-million increase in property

taxes, plus the $370,000 increase in sales taxes, one would expect

the City Council to be able to allocate money funding current needs.

However, the City Council failed to set aside funds in past years

when pension investment earnings did well, then requiring little or

no contribution to fund city employee pensions. They spent the money

immediately on other projects. So, this year will require an increase

in pension contributions by more than $1.3 million.

In addition, the City Council is failing to face up to their

financial-management problem. The estimated $2.5 million public

parking structure, park, etc., at the Montage Resort ended up costing

the city $9.7 million. If this had not occurred, bed-tax revenue

would have increased by perhaps $2 million. Yet the City Council is

in denial, never identifying any corrective action for this fiasco.

Residents should demand that the city budget be addressed

seriously and that we learn what other cities are doing to improve

productivity, which likely will include that low-priority functions

be outsourced to the private sector.

GENE FELDER

Laguna Beach

Platform should draw more support

To say I was disappointed would be a vast understatement. My first

political rally and only seven people showed up. To be honest, five

of them were tourists from Hoisington, Kan., and only spoke Spanish.

I feel I have a worthwhile message, and in the true spirit of

America, I will press forward.

My main theme, of course, is to get a parking structure for

Downtown Laguna Beach. We are no longer a village, and the traffic

problem will not go away -- but a parking structure sure would help.

So I am still a write-in candidate for City Council. A vote for

Dan Huston is a vote for action. Let’s go Laguna.

DAN HUSTON

Laguna Beach

Will the traffic woes never end?

The new soundtrack for Laguna Beach: Sirens, sirens and more

sirens -- day in and day out.

Oh well, so much for the city of Laguna Beach traffic studies.

DAN ELIA

Laguna Beach

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