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Rehab Appeals Board - Minutes 03-23-04ITOT OrFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY THE ROSEMEAD REHABILITATION- APPEALS BOARD MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ROSEMEAD BUILDING REHABILITATION APPEALS BOARD MARCH 23, 2004 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board was called to order by Chairman Vasquez at 7:04 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 Alarcon, Imperial,Taylor, Vice-Chairman Clark and Chairman Vasquez Absent: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JANUARY 27, 2004 -REGULAR MEETING MOTION BY BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR SECOND BY VICE-CHAIRMAN IMPERIAL that the Board approve the regular minutes of January 27, 2004. Vote resulted: Aye: Alarcon, Vasquez, Clark, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 1. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH The Board Secretary administered the oath to all persons wishing to address the Board. H. HEARINGS A. 4622 EARLE AVENUE The subject property consists of an owner-occupied single-family residence with a garage conversion and unpermitted addition to the garage. The property is zoned R-1. The case was initiated in August 2003, and complete compliance has not been achieved in nearly seven months. REHAB:3-23-04 Page # I The City Building Official recommends that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions and Building Code violations be removed and/or corrected by May 3, 2004. However, if the required permits and approvals are obtained, and sufficient progress is achieved by May 3, 2004, the abatement date may be extended to June 1, 2004. James Guerra, City Building Official, reported that as of today, a garage door has been installed. However, the interior unit has not been changed back to a garage. Mr. Guerra stated that their recommendation remains the same. Vince Choi, 6045 Encinita Avenue, Temple City, was present to translate for Ms. Quiying Li, of 4622 Earle Avenue, owner of the property. Mr. Choi reported that the owners do not have the money currently to demolish the rest of the unit. Vice-Chairman Imperial asked if the Building Inspectors have explained to the owners what they need to do. Mr. Guerra responded that it has been explained to Ms. Li, who does speak some English, and that she understands what needs to be done. Mr. Choi verified that Ms. Li did understand. Mr. Choi then asked Ms. Li if the 60 days is sufficient for her to make the necessary changes or to show progress. At the conclusion of their conversation, Mr. Choi stated that Ms. Li agreed that 60 days would be sufficient. Boardmember Taylor asked if anyone was living in the unit. Mr. Choi responded that it is vacant. MOTION BY BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY VICE-CHAIRMAN IMPERIAL that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions and Building Code violations be removed and/or corrected by May 3, 2004. However, if the required permits and approvals are obtained and sufficient progress is achieved by May 3, 2004, the abatement date may be extended to June 1, 2004. Vote resulted: Aye: Alarc6n, Clark,Vasquez, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: None Abstain: None ' The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. REHAB:3-23-04 Page #2 B. 8676 RAMONA BOULEVARD The subject property consists of an owner-occupied single-family residence with a garage conversion. The property is zoned R-1. The case was initiated in July 2003, and compliance has not been achieved in over seven months. The City Building Official recommends that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions be removed and/or corrected by May 3, 2004. However, if the required permits are obtained, and sufficient progress is achieved by May 3, 2004, the abatement date may be extended to June 1, 2004. James Guerra, City Building Official, reported that the owner has submitted plans for review. However, the plans were incomplete and the owner was advised to re-submit the plans. To date, they have not been re-submitted. Mr. Guerra stated that their recommendation remains the same. Boardmember Taylor asked when was the owner last contacted. Mr. Guerra responded that the last conversation with the owner was in November. Mr. Guerra stated that the inspectors have been on the property since, but no one is home, and the only phone number they had has been disconnected. Mr. Guerra explained that notices had been left at their door, with no response from the owners. Daniel Au, 8676 Ramona Boulevard, Rosemead, owner of the property was present. Chairman Clark asked Mr. Au if he purchased the property in its present condition. Mr. Au responded that he did. Chairman Clark expressed her concern on how realtors can sell a house in such a condition. Vice-Chairman Imperial stated that when anyone purchases a house, the potential buyer should be required to come to City Hall to check with the Building Department on the conditions of that property. Boardmember Taylor stated that the realtors have a legal obligation to disclose any conditions affecting the property. Mr. Taylor stated that he does not doubt that some realtors are only interested in making the sale, and not interested in disclosing any adverse conditions. . Vice-Chairman Imperial stated again, that the property owner needs to assume some responsibility and come to City Hall. REHAB:3-23-04 Page #3 Boardmember Taylor stated that due to the nature of this problem, the City cannot require potential homeowners to come to City Hall for pre-purchase inspections. Mr. Taylor continued that people will not be able to afford to buy homes if they come to City Hall first, have the property inspected, and then have expensive improvements required to bring that property up to code. Vice-Chairman Imperial stated that potential owners need some guidance. Mr. Au stated that he has been working with the City, and that he had to revise the plans to have the garage, that is in front of the house, attached to the house. Chairman Clark asked why the garage cannot remain free-standing. Boardmember Taylor asked how many other homes have free-standing garages in the front yard. Mr. Taylor requested that this item be deferred for another 30 days to allow staff to investigate this situation further. Mr. Guerra stated that if Mr. Au's situation can be remedied by working with the Planning Department, the case does not need to be returned to the Rehab Board. There being no objection, this item was deferred. 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 aforementioned items. IV. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS -None V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further action to be taken at this time, the meeting was adjourned at p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 27, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Board Secretary REHAB:3-23-04 Page #4 APPROVED: CHAIRMAN