HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-17-17 ZA COMMENTS
Updated 5/10/17 *Deadline: 05/10/2017 @8:00 a.m.
Zoning Administrator Correspondence
May 17, 2017
Item No. 1 - MINOR EXCEPTION 2017-01
Date Sender Received after
deadline
5/12/17 Nancy & William Gallivan No
5/12/17 David Buster No
5/13/17 Miranda Toscano No
5/14/17 Angel Barnes No
5/16/17 Nancy & William Gallivan (second letter
submitted)
No
5/16/17 Ann Andres No
From:Bernal, Sarah
To:"Christopher Cardinale"
Subject:FW: Zoning variance
Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2017 9:59:00 AM
See below for your review and consideration.
From: Mitre-Ramirez, Norma
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 9:42 AM
To: Bernal, Sarah; Barela, Rosa
Subject: FW: Zoning variance
Good Morning Ladies,
The following communication has been received for your review and consideration.
From: Goeasybill@aol.com [mailto:Goeasybill@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 6:12 PM
To: eComment <eComment@santa-ana.org>
Subject: Zoning variance
The granting of a zoning variance to the owners of 1904 Heliotrope will be in
direct contradiction to the Mils Act status granted to the owner of this
property. The owner is prohibited by this contract from inhibiting in any way
the public viewing of this property.
Please look at the Mills Act contract and recommend compliance. It
definitely prohibits a 5 foot wall, hedge or fence.
A 3 foot wall is not unreasonable and the public can enjoy the Historic
Home.
Surely the opinions of a large number of neighbors and nearby residents
should be considered.
Nancy and William Gallivan MD
From:Huizar, Maria
To:Neal, Candida; Barela, Rosa; Bernal, Sarah
Subject:FW: Zoning Adminstrator
Date:Monday, May 15, 2017 6:05:24 PM
From: Meridian Property Management [mailto:meridianprop@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 4:03 PM
To: eComment <eComment@santa-ana.org>
Subject: Zoning Adminstrator
from: Meridian Property Management meridianprop@gmail.com
to: "Soboleske, Hally" <hsoboleske@santa-ana.org>
date: Tue, May 9, 2017 at 3:15 PM
subject: 1904 N. Heliotrope Dr.
Dear Hally,
For the record, we withdraw our previous opposition to the proposed wall for the home located
at 1904 N. Heliotrope Dr.
In review of the diagrams and idealized structure of the completed wall, it seems that this wall
will not be a common grey (ugly) block structure as we had originally been led to believe and
that it may, in fact, prove to be an enhancement to the property and hence the surrounding
neighborhood, given the stylized structural proposal of the wall.
Sincerely,
David H Buster
--
Meridian Property Management
611 W. 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706
BRE 01258547
Tel (714) 836-1968
Fax (714) 836-9066
www.meridianprop.com
E-mails sent or received shall neither constitute acceptance of conducting transactions via
electronic means nor create a binding contract until and unless a written contract is signed by
the parties.
From:Bernal, Sarah
To:"Christopher Cardinale"
Subject:FW: Zoning Administrator - Michael Ness - fence height exception
Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2017 8:52:00 AM
See below comment for your review and consideration. Thank you.
From: Huizar, Maria
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 6:05 PM
To: Neal, Candida; Barela, Rosa; Bernal, Sarah
Subject: FW: Zoning Administrator - Michael Ness - fence height exception
FYI
From: Miranda Toscano [mailto:mirandar07@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2017 11:55 AM
To: eComment <eComment@santa-ana.org>
Subject: Zoning Administrator - Michael Ness - fence height exception
Hello,
I'm submitting my comments in regard to Michael Ness' fence height exception request. I am
totally against the fence height increase, and feel that the exception will set precedent, opening
up the possibility of other fences going up in the neighborhood, affecting the charm and
historical value of our neighborhood.
I've lived in this neighborhood all my life. My father moved onto Heliotrope as a teenager, and
then bought a house across the street from the home he grew up in. My family, as well as
guests to the neighborhood fall in love with it immediately for it's unique and historical homes
and gardens. Many people who live in the neighborhood have been drawn to it from other
cities like Newport and Irvine. It is such a charming draw to Santa Ana, and frankly, reminds
people that Santa Ana isn't all bad, as news and media portrays it. This neighborhood, and
specifically, the house in question, have hosted high profile individuals...in fact, this
house hosted major political parties throughout the 40s, 50s and 60s, where politicians, actors,
and media personalities would gather. The house has also been a film and commercial filming
location. In all of these times, there was never a fence. Why now?
If Michael Ness was concerned for his privacy, then he should not have bought a home on an
exposed corner lot. The beauty of this house contributes to the charm of our
neighborhood, which also contributes to the property values. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT
NEIGHBORS BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY A HIGH WALL, WHEN THE
HOME WAS BOUGHT WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF IT'S EXPOSURE AND
CORNER LOT SITUATION. If the buyer did not like it's corner lot, or absence of high
wall, then he should not have purchased that home, and should have looked for a home in a
secured or gated community.
Floral Park IS NOT a gated, closed off community. Historically it's been a charming, open,
and inclusive neighborhood in a diverse city. Home Tours, Street Fairs, and Block Parties are
a part of this neighborhood's culture. If our neighbors are allowed to build high walls around
their homes, precedent is set, and the neighborhood becomes closed off, exclusive, and the
culture is negatively affected.
I'd like to add that Michael Ness' argument of safety does not seem to hold much weight. I live
a few doors down from his home, and I've never seen any strange incidents. I've never
witnessed strange cars parked out front during the night, I've never seen or heard about any
prowlers. In fact, all the neighbors I've discussed this with have not heard or seen anything
either, and in fact, have made an effort to keep an eye out for any unusual activity. We do this
because we are neighbors, and throughout this neighborhood's history, we openly look out for
one another, without the need for high walls or exclusivity.
Higher profile people have lived throughout this neighborhood, and none have ever built walls
the way Michael Ness is proposing.
Again, we are not a closed-off, walled in community. Please help us preserve the historical
charm of our street, and realize that the precedence of high walls will only begin a
McMansion-ing trend that has blighted other cities, but so far, not ours.
thank you.
Miranda Toscano
From:Bernal, Sarah
To:"Christopher Cardinale"
Subject:FW: 1904 No. Heliotrope "Minor" Exception No. 2017-01
Date:Monday, May 15, 2017 9:01:00 AM
Comment received for the 5/17/17 for your review and consideration.
Note: 5/17/17 meeting is not a Public Hearing but we do still accept public comments for any item
on the agenda.
Thank you.
From: Barnes, Angel@DIR [mailto:ANBarnes@dir.ca.gov]
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2017 7:14 PM
To: e-comments@santa-ana.org; Pulido, Miguel; Bernal, Sarah
Subject: 1904 No. Heliotrope "Minor" Exception No. 2017-01
Dear Zoning Administrator and Mayor Pulido:
Although my Courtroom is only a three-minute walk from the site of your May
10 and May 17 meetings regarding the above subject property, I was and will
be in Trial both mornings. Therefore, I send this letter in lieu of my
appearance. It is sent in
no judicial capacity apart from my standing as a Floral Park homeowner for the
past 17 years located at 2006 Victoria Drive also on the Historical Registry.
My husband and I strenuously oppose the five-foot high stucco wall. Despite
the fact that both your meetings have both been scheduled in the middle of a
work day morning which, in and of itself, prevents a number of us from
attending due to work obligations, there were at least 15 other homeowners
voicing their opposition last week whose valid objections were completely
ignored.
.
You may recall the last historical home which generated such a neighborhood
response was a year or two ago on this very same street. The hearing
regarding the "Maharaja" house on the corner of Heliotrope and Santa Clara
was held at 6 or 7 p.m. to allow for full participation by the community.
Notice of that proceeding was also sent to all Floral Park residents as I recall,
not just those within 500 feet of the subject property. As a consequence, the
City Council Hall was nearly filled to capacity. I observed those
proceedings at which the two Asian physician homeowners pled that their roof
and upstairs window modifications were needed due to chronic leaking.
Frankly, the modifications they sought would not have been nearly as obvious
to the casual observer standing on the sidewalk as the overall effect of a five
foot high stucco wall around the entire perimeter of a huge corner lot,
Nevertheless, the physicians met with a categorical denial of their request, as
was appropriate due to the regulations governing Historical properties.
According to Ms. Soboleske's report, she recommends the wall to so this
homeowner can utilize his front yard with more privacy. We realize that no
structural modification is being made to the house itself, but how can obscuring
the bottom half of that expansive house conform to the spirit of the historical
regulations? The notion that a historical property owner can erect a wall
around his house as long as he doesn't change a window frame is not only in
violation of the Mills Act, but sets such a dangerous precedent that in future, all
similar frivolous reasons for erecting walls will need to be granted.
Please consider what Floral Park will look like after others erect walls. There
is no question that property values will decline since the entire look of this, the
most beautiful neighborhood in the City, will be completely changed. Further,
treating the aforementioned couple on the same street in such a disparate
fashion invites litigation, as will the affected property values. Is there an
agreement to have this homeowner indemnify our City for those costs?
Consider the precarious posture that the approval of this huge wall puts Santa
Ana in. There is already speculation that the City has not been dealing with
the subject homeowner "at arm's length" as evidenced by the fact that he was
tacitly allowed to leave a hideous six foot high green construction fence around
the entire perimeter of his property for nearly two years before any fine was
levied during which those of us who walked by his house regularly rarely saw
signs of work being performed in the 2nd year which would warrant such a
fence.
I respectfully urge you to consider the precedents we would be setting here
which fly in the face of the spirit of the Historical property regulations and in
total disregard of the feelings of the rest of Floral Park which pulls together
repeatedly throughout the year for the betterment of the City of Santa Ana.
Sincerely,
Angel Barnes
From:Mitre-Ramirez, Norma
To:Bernal, Sarah; Barela, Rosa
Subject:FW: reference Zoning Administrator
Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2017 3:28:41 PM
Hello Ladies,
The following communication has been received for your review and consideration.
Kind Regards,
Norma Mitre
Sr. Deputy Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana | Clerk of the Council Office
20 Civic Center Plaza | Santa Ana, CA 92701
714-647-5237| nmitre@santa-ana.org
From: Goeasybill@aol.com [mailto:Goeasybill@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 2:33 PM
To: eComment <eComment@santa-ana.org>
Subject: reference Zoning Administrator
Zoning Administrator
We wish to again register our opposition to granting a zoning variance to the
owners of the property at 1904 Heliotrope. Drive in Santa Ana
The owners will by law and contract lose their status for tax considerations
under the provisions of the Mills. Act. #3C
. The proposed 5 foot wall will almost totally obliterate visually this historic
property. This fact is in direct contradiction to the Mills Act requirements for
Historic Properties. (that no wall , fence or hedge may obstruct the public
right to view the property from the public right of way). I will be sending by
separate email photos of this historic property taken with a 6 foot fence
surrounding it. You can see for yourselves that a wall only 1 foot lower will
still obliterate the public view of this lovely Historic Home. No one wants to
see just the upper window and roof---- the lovely balustrades will not be
visible.
We are NOT opposed to a 3 foot wall as currently permitted by city code. It
would not be out of scale with the home if suitable landscaping is planted.
Nancy and William Gallivan MD.
From:Mitre-Ramirez, Norma
To:Bernal, Sarah; Barela, Rosa
Subject:FW: Fence height variance 5/17 10:30 am
Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2017 3:07:01 PM
Hello Ladies,
The following communication has been received for your review and consideration.
Kind Regards,
Norma Mitre
Sr. Deputy Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana | Clerk of the Council Office
20 Civic Center Plaza | Santa Ana, CA 92701
714-647-5237| nmitre@santa-ana.org
From: Ann Andres [mailto:aaandres@andreslaw.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 1:51 PM
To: eComment <eComment@santa-ana.org>
Subject: FW: Fence height variance 5/17 10:30 am
From: Ann Andres [mailto:aaandres@andreslaw.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 1:46 PM
To: 'www.ecomments.@santa-ana.org' <www.ecomments.@santa-ana.org>
Subject: Fence height variance 5/17 10:30 am
I am very much opposed to the city approving the Ness application to build a 5’ fence around their
property. In fact, it appears that such a fence would violate
their Mills Act contract. Usually, the Mills Act contract states: “c. A view corridor enabling the
general public to see the Historic Property from the public right-of-way SHALL be maintained, and
Owner SHALL not be permitted to block the view corridor to the property with any new structure
such as WALLS, FENCES or shrubbery, so as to prevent the viewing of the historic landmark by the
public.”
I think you should review the Ness’s contract before approving any variance.
Ann Avery Andres