Care home protest

Citing traffic and safety concerns, residents of 14 homes on Dohrn Circle are threatening to file a class-action lawsuit against the city for allowing a residential care facility in their neighborhood. The street abuts Golden View Park off Warner Avenue.

Homeowner Reid Jacobsen addressed City Council members April 17, asking them to issue a cease and desist order for convalescent care provided by the business, European Loving Care, at 6561 Dohrn Circle.

Although the home has a state license to provide convalescent care for six or more senior citizens, Jacobsen says the business violates the city’s municipal codes.

“It’s bringing in an influx of traffic that we don’t want in this neighborhood,” he said.

According to the city code, home occupation should not increase pedestrian or vehicle traffic in the neighborhood.

Cotilia Dahabreh, the owner and operator of the facility, says there are many such homes in Orange County. “It’s a private home and I’m entitled [to do] what I want to do in my home,” she said.

City Atty. Jennifer McGrath and Deputy City Administrator Paul Emery, who have been working with residents, said they’re looking into the legal aspects of the complaints.

According to Bill Zylla, the city’s neighborhood preservation manager, the city’s ability to regulate the facility is limited by state law, which requires such homes to be considered as single-family residences and the occupants as family members.

Dahabreh, who has operated the facility since 2004, seemed surprised by the residents’ complaints. “This is not a convalescent home. It’s a residential care facility for the elderly,” she said. “We don’t have that much traffic. What we have is family members visiting residents, and I don’t see why that should be a problem.”

Residents say the owners added on four bedrooms and a bathroom to the existing four-bedroom, two-bath home.

That has brought more and more cars in the neighborhood, said Philip Bellon, a resident and retired school teacher. “There have been six visits by paramedics from the fire department and three visits by the coroner, besides stops by the Orange County Transportation Authority buses to pick up handicapped people,” he said.

There are also deliveries made by mattress companies and pharmacies as well as visits by nurses, inspectors, ambulances and family members, Jacobsen said.

“This is a cul-de-sac, and many times the buses block our driveway while waiting for riders,” Bellon said.

Residents complain that the home is changing the quiet neighborhood, and they say the city hasn’t been sympathetic to their problems.

Jacobsen said if the city doesn’t take any action, the neighbors will go ahead with their lawsuit. All 14 residents of Dohrn Circle have signed a petition to the City Council, listing the code violations by the care home. hbi.27-dohrncircle-CPhotoInfo5L1QATI620060427ixy58mncKENT TREPTOW / INDEPENDENT(LA)This house on Dohrn Circle, off Warner Avenue near Golden View Park, is used as a convalescent care home. Although operators have a state license, neighbors complain the facility draws too much traffic to their street.