Fence status quo is better than change...

Fence status quo is better than change

In regard to the proposed offensive fence ordinance (“Fence

changes on hold,” Saturday), I agree with the majority of Burbank

citizens that it is totally unnecessary.

Alternately, any fence ordinance should be eliminated or expanded

to give every Burbank citizen the right to build or plant anything on

their property that does not infringe on public safety, as they have

done for years.

The status quo of never enforcing the outdated existing ordinance

has generated beautiful variety in height and design of fences,

hedges and landscaping that gives Burbank its charming residential

character in an urban environment. To create an ordinance that forces

conformity of height and style to the new generation of inexpensive

plastic fences available off the shelf is ludicrous.

Staff has testified that current enforcement is restricted to

citizen complaints. The proposed ordinance also calls for

usingtaxpayers’ money to proactively enforce the new restrictions.

There are hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of beautiful Burbank

front and sideyard walls, fences, hedges and other landscaping, all

of which would not be allowed under the proposed ordinance. Beautiful

towering cypress trees and other high-rising landscaping used to

demarcate property lines and create privacy from neighboring

two-story houses would also be disallowed. Trees and other

landscaping planted close together to provide privacy, security and

noise abatement would be prohibited.

Amnesty for existing violators was discussed at the Aug. 16 public

hearing, provided residents can prove that their fence or landscaping

met an existing code at the time it was built or planted, with the

burden of proof on the residents. Staff commented that this would be

impossible to enforce, so council directed staff to come up with a

plan for violators of the proposed Draconian code to register their

illegal shrubbery, fernery, walls and fences with the city, until

Council can come up with a plan on who to prosecute. It is beyond

belief that our elected city officials would consider using city

resources to register thousands of illegal fences and hedges as a

reasonable alternative to three to six citizen complaints per year,

all resolved. OK, I’ll say it. It’s stupid, particularly when there

are hundreds of trees in the public right of way that are the city’s

responsibility, but hang over sidewalks and impede passage all over

town.

This is becoming a “big mess,” where there was none. It’s even

more ludicrous than the recent R-1 zoning change that does little to

solve the city’s “mansionization” problem, but instead micro manages

our property rights and creates design restrictions and increased

expense for Burbank residents who may want a simple room addition.

I think Burbank would be better served if our elected officials

would worry about how to serve it’s residents, instead of giving us

reason to protect ourselves from them.

MARK STEBBEDS

Burbank

Center is needed

Regarding the Burbank Leader’s question on whether the former

Buena Vista branch library should be converted into a child care

center: Yes.

As a soon-to-be first parent, my wife and I have looked at almost

every preschool in Burbank and the surrounding cities. There were

only a few we were happy with and they have waiting lists up to two

years long.

We desperately need more of these.

JIM WYATT

Burbank

Wall better than war

The war in Iraq is a case of misplaced priorities on a grand

scale.

During the 2004 election, President Bush promised that he’d keep

our country safer than his opponent. By declaring war on a country

that was no threat to us, this administration has increased terrorist

recruitment tenfold, and alienated countries whose help we might need

if we were again to be attacked by terrorists on our soil.

The vast resources that have been diverted to Iraq would’ve been

better used protect our borders and ports of entry. The $200 billion

that’s been spent so far in Iraq would build a wall 30 feet tall

around America, protect transportation, vulnerable public utilities

and schools, and provide thorough inspections of shipping containers.

American kids -- 1,800 of them -- who’ve died in Iraq could’ve been

patrolling our borders. The intelligence community has stated that

terrorists are entering the U.S. illegally through Canada and Mexico,

so why has the administration failed to follow through on promises to

provide more funding to facilitate border control? (Arizona and New

Mexico have now declared states of emergency due to violence and

crime caused by illegal immigration.)

One answer is that the party that’s in power favors cheap, illegal

labor, but that’s a whole other ball game.

JENNIFER RABUCHIN

Burbank

‘Dose’ not enough

Your story, “Senior artists get a dose of culture,” Aug. 10, on

the Burbank Senior Artist Colony is somewhat misleading. Although the

new senior residential complex does have some low-cost housing, the

majority of the units are quite expensive for anyone who is retired

and living on a fixed income.

Of the 141 units, only 40 are subsidized low-cost housing. The

remaining 101 units begin at about $1,200 for a one-bedroom

apartment. For extra amenities such as a washer/dryer in the unit or

a view, expect to pay even more.

The 40 low-cost units are filled and because nearly 1,000 names

are on the waiting list for a future vacancy, no new names are

currently being accepted.

MOLLY SHORE

Burbank