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Rehab Appeals Board - Agenda 03-28-00AGENDA REGULAR MEETING ROSEMEAD BUILDING REHABILITATION APPEALS BOARD CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA MARCH 28, 2000 CALL MEETING TO ORDER: 7:00 P.M. OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: INVOCATION: BOARDMEMBER IMPERIAL BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: BOARDMEMBERS BRUESCH, IMPERIAL, TAYLOR, VICE-CHAIRMAN CLARK, AND CHAIRMAN VASQUEZ APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 22, 2000 1. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH: All persons who may wish to address the Board concerning ny property, please rise at this time and be sworn by the Board Secretary. H. H G ON PROPERTIES A. 9333 RALPH STREET (RE-HEARING) III. STATUS REPORTS A. SUBSTANDARD BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES B. BUILDING REHABILITATION APPEALS BOARD C. CITY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY REFERRAL UPDATE IV. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE ON BUILDING REHABILITATION APPEALS BOARD MATTERS V. ADJOURNMENT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 25, 2000, AT 7:00 P.M. Posted 72 hours in advance of the meeting at the City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead; the L.A. County Library, Rosemead Branch, 8800 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead; and other locations pursuant to RMC SEC. 1.08.020. ri 1 NOT 0777_~71.,T. 77-TT. ATPROvED p>v T.a MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ROSEMEAD BUILDING REHABILITATION APPEALS BOARD FEBRUARY 22, 2000 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board was called to order by Chairman Vasquez at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. The Pledge to the Flag and Invocation were waived as having been completed during the meeting just adjourned. ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Present: Boardmembers Bruesch, Imperial, Taylor, Vice-Chairman Clark, and Chairman Vasquez Absent: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JANUARY 25; 2000 - REGULAR MEETING MOTION BY BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY BOARDMEMBER IMPERIAL that the Board approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 25, 2000, as submitted. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Bruesch, Vasquez, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. I. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH The Board Secretary administered the oath to all persons wishing to address the Board. 11. HEARINGS A. 7917 DOROTHY STREET The subject property consists of a vacant single family dwelling with several unpermitted structures in the rear yard and an unpermitted garage conversion. The property is zoned R-2. A "Please Letter" was mailed to the property owner on September 16, 1999, but was returned, "forwarding order expired". On September 27, 1999, the building inspector ordered the gas and electric utilities disconnected. The Building Official declared the property substandard and filed a Declaration of Substandard Property with the Los Angeles County Recorder's office. A "Fifteen Day" certified letter was mailed and posted on the property on October 5, 1999, requesting abatement of the substandard conditions. On October 14, 1999, Mr. Bing, who identified himself as a friend of the owner, notified staff that he would be responsible for cleaning and securing the property. On October 27, 1999, it was noted that minor cleanup work had been attempted in the front yard area. Follow-up inspection on November 4, 1999 showed that the cleanup had not been completed. The inspector left a message for Mr. Bing. Mr. Bing did not return the call. On November 16, 1999, a "Notice of Intent to Barricade" was mailed and posted on the property. Inspection on November 22, 1999 revealed that the property had not yet been secured and that the trash and debris remained on the property. Staff contacted Interstate Field Services to barricade the property. Fencing and board-up work was completed on December 2, 1999. On January 17, 2000, a "bulky item" trash notice was mailed to the property owner. REIIABNIIN:2-22-00 Page a1 Inspection on January 20, 2000 showed that the property remained secure, however, no other progress was evident. Building Department records reveal that plans had been submitted to demolish the existing structures and construct a new single family residence at the site. The plans had outstanding corrections and were never approved. The plan check application has since expired. Staff has left several messages for the owner, Mr. Nguyen, and for Mr. Bing. Mr. Bing's telephone number has been disconnected. A Notice of Hearing was mailed and posted on the property on February 7, 2000. All interested parties have been notified. The City Building Official recommends that the Board find the property substandard and order that all substandard conditions be removed and/or corrected by April 3, 2000. However, if permits and approvals are obtained, and sufficient progress is achieved by April 3, 2000, the abatement date may be extended to May 1, 2000. Mr. Bich Nguyen, 5625 Huff Street, Los Angeles, stated that he is representing his brother, the owner of the property who is in San Jose. Boardmember Taylor asked if Mr. Nguyen had any comments on what will be done to the property or why nothing has been done. Mr. Nguyen requested an extension to enable him to take care of the problems as listed. Mr. Nguyen stated that he travels and lot and his brother is not here. Boardmember Taylor stated that the only way to get the conditions corrected is to approve the recommendation of the Building Official as the owners have been noticed and have had months to comply. MOTION BY BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY BOARDMEMBER IMPERIAL that the Board find the property substandard and order that all substandard conditions be removed and/or corrected by April 3, 2000. However, if permits and approvals are obtained, and sufficient progress is achieved by April 3, 2000, the abatement date may be extended to May 1, 2000. Vote resulted: Aye: Clark, Bruesch, Vasquez, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. B. 9333 RALPH STREET - HEARING The subject property consists of a single family dwelling, located in the R-1 zone, which appears to have been converted to a duplex. Both units are tenant occupied. There is also another building at the rear of the property which is being used for living quarters. This structure was permitted as a "summer house" (216 square feet). According to permit records, construction commenced in 1949. The permit expired, however, a second permit was issued in 1952 to complete the work. The original permit specifically stated "no cooking will be done in this building and kitchen sink will not be installed". A "Please Letter" was mailed to the property owner on November 30, 1999. Inspection on December 30, 1999 revealed no progress. The Building Official declared the property substandard and filed a Declaration of substandard Property with the Los Angeles County Recorder's office. On January 10, 2000, a "Fifteen Day" certified letter was mailed and posted on the property, requesting abatement of the substandard conditions. On January 13, 2000, Elma Pinedo, one of the property owners, telephoned the building inspector. She claimed she had REHABNIIN:2-22-00 Page g2 purchased the property as two legal units. She also stated that she was in the process of evicting the tenant in Unit "A". The building inspector explained the record search procedure to Ms. Pinedo and mailed her instructions on obtaining possible additional information from Los Angeles County. On January 18, 2000, the Building Official received a letter from Mr. Stephen Dena, attorney for the owner, acknowledging receipt of the certified letter and requesting a hearing before the Rehabilitation Appeals Board. The building inspector attempted to contact Mr. Dena on January 20, 2000. She left a message on his answering machine advising him of the date of the hearing. Later that day, Mr. Dena returned the inspector's call. He requested that he receive copies of any future correspondence to his client and stated that he would provide documentation of the eviction proceedings against the tenants in Unit "A". On January 25, 2000, copies of a "Three Day Notice to Pay or Quit", "Summons and Complaint" and "Memorandum to Set Case for Trial" were received. The City Building Official recommends that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions be removed and/or corrected by April 3, 2000. However, if permits and approvals are obtained, and sufficient progress is achieved by April 3, 2000, the abatement date may be extended to May 1, 2000. Steven Dena, Attorney representing the owner, Elma Pinedo was present. Elma Pinedo, 9243 De Adalena Street, owner, was also present. Mr. Dena stated that the tenants should be out of the house within two weeks at which time the owner will have full access to the property to make the necessary corrections. Mr. Dena stated that his client purchased the property "as is" from the former owner, which consisted of two legal units. Mr. Dena continued that the former owner stated that she purchased the property from the City and had made only minor cosmetic changes through the years. Boardmember Taylor asked if there was any verification that the City had ever owned that property and requested clarification on that issue. Mr. Dena stated that his client has owned the property for approximately 10 years. Boardmember Taylor requested that under the circumstances, a 30-day extension be granted in order to give the owners a chance to evict the tenants and to make a good faith effort to clean up the property. Mr. Tripepi stated that a condition be added that if the present tenants are evicted prior to the 30 days, the property not be rented to new tenants. Boardmember Bruesch asked if the owner plans to turn that unit back into a garage. Mr. Dena responded that that unit has never been used as a garage, and that Ms. Pinedo purchased the property in that condition. Boardmember Bruesch requested clarification on the comment that at one time the property was purchased from the City. After discussion, it was determined that the property was probably sold though an estate sale. Boardmember Imperial expressed his concerns with the illegal wiring and hazardous conditions during this extended time period. Mr. Dena responded that most of those issues will be corrected by the owner during this time. REHAnn7IN:2-22-00 Page u3 MOTION BY BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY BOARDMEMBER IMPERIAL that this item be returned for re-hearing at the March 28, 2000 meeting. Vote resulted: Aye: Clark, Bruesch, Vasquez, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. III. STATUS REPORTS A. SUBSTANDARD BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES B. BUILDING REHABILITATION APPEALS BOARD C. CITY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY REFERRAL UPDATE No action was required on the above items. IV. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS - None V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further action to be taken at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 28, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: APPROVED: Board Secretary CHAIRMAN REHAHMIN:2-22-00 Page n4