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REHAB – Approval of Minutes 03-24-98 Ti AFT_. . _ ^D MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ROSEMEAD BUILDING REHABILITATION APPEALS BOARD MARCH 24, 1998 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board was called to order by Chairman Imperial at 7:05 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 Clark, Taylor, Vasquez, Vice-Chairman Bruesch, and Chairman Imperial Absent: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 24, 1998 - REGULAR MEETING • MOTION BY BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY BOARDMEMBER VASQUEZ that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 24, 1998, be approved as submitted. Vote resulted: Aye: Vasquez, Imperial, Clark, Taylor No: None Absent: None Abstain: Bruesch The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 7. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH The Board Secretary administered the oath to all persons wishing to address the Board. H. HEARINGS A. 7511 EGLEY AVENUE - HEARING The subject property consists of a tenant-occupied single family residence located in the R-2 zone. A "Please Letter" and a "bulky item" trash notice were mailed to the property owner on July 7, 1997. Inspection on August 8, 1997 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. A "Thirty Day" certified letter was mailed and posted on the property on August 25, 1997, requesting abatement of the substandard conditions. On September 11, 1997, the owner's son-in-law, Robert Crook, came to City Hall. He advised staff that the owner, Edith Branch, was deceased and that he would be handling her affairs. He also indicated that he had served the tenants with an eviction notice. Progress inspections in September, October and November 1997 revealed no progress. According to Mr. Crook, the tenants refused to leave and they refused to allow him access to the house. He advised staff that he would take legal action in December 1997 to have the tenants removed. On December 29, 1997, Mr. Crook returned to City Hall. He requested a time extension due to medical reasons, and again stated that he had retained an attorney to continue with eviction proceedings. Inspections in January and February 1998 showed no apparent change at the property. On February 11, 1998, Mr. Dale Hardeman, attorney for Mr. Crook, telephoned. I He discussed the list of defects with the building inspector and stated that the tenants would be Rehab 3-24-98 Page 41 served with another "Thirty Day Notice". A copy of such notice was received the following day. To date, the dwelling is still occupied and no permits for repairs have been obtained. A Notice of Hearing was mailed and posted on the property on March 9, 1998. All interested parties have been notified. The City Building Official recommends that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions removed and/or corrected by May 1, 1998. However, if eviction proceedings are delayed, by circumstances beyond the control of the owner, the abatement date may be extended to June 1, 1998, on the condition that permits have been obtained. Jeff Gold, 9085 E. Imperial Highway, Downey, stated that he is standing in for Dale Hardeman who is unable to attend due to a family emergency. Mr. Gold stated that an unlawful detainer action has been filed by Mr. Hardeman in order to remove the tenants, and will be unable to correct any of the conditions until the tenants are removed. Mr. Gold stated that Mr. Crook, the owner, is not disputing any of the violations and that he just wants to get the work done. MOTION BY AGENCYMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY AGENCYMEMBER VASQUEZ that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions removed and/or corrected by May 1, 1998. However, if eviction proceedings are delayed, by circumstances beyond the control of the owner, the abatement date may be extended to June 1, 1998, on the condition that permits have been obtained. Vote resulted: Aye: Vasquez, Bruesch, Imperial, Clark, Taylor No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. B. 2637 WILLARD AVENUE - HEARING The subject property consists of a single family residence with an unpermitted, occupied attic conversion. Initially, there was also an illegal garage conversion. The property is zoned R- 2. A "Please Letter" was mailed to the property owner on July 30, 1997. On August 8, 1997, the property owner, Mr. Ernest Aragon, telephoned to discuss the list of defects, and on August 18, 1997, he came to City Hall to discuss Planning Department requirements. Inspection on August 28, 1997 showed the main house, downstairs, to be vacant. The upstairs conversion and the garage conversion were occupied. The Building Official declared the property substandard and filed a Declaration of Substandard Property with the Los Angeles County Recorder's office. A "Thirty Day" certified letter was mailed and posted on the property on September 10, 1997, requesting abatement of the substandard conditions. A "bulky item" trash notice was mailed to both the property owner and the tenants on October 8, 1997. Progress inspections in October, November and December 1997 revealed substantial progress, including the abatement of the garage conversion. Mr. Aragon seems to be uncertain of his intentions regarding the attic conversion. In November 1997, he had indicated that he would attempt to legalize the work. Planning Department reviewed his preliminary drawing and advised him that he would need to submit a more complete set of plans. In December 1997, Mr. Aragon indicated to the building inspector that he had decided to convert the illegal duplex back to a single family dwelling. He was informed that the kitchen facilities would need to be removed. On December 22, 1997, Mr. • Aragon obtained a "Repair per Rehab" permit, which covered the repairs and the re-conversions. However, by January 27, 1998, he informed the inspector that he had changed his mind and had again decided to attempt to legalize the second unit. On February 26, 1998, the inspector spoke with Mr. Aragon and he told her he had decided it would be too costly to proceed with his attempt to legalize the conversion. He stated that he had given the tenants an eviction notice and provided a copy of the "Notice to Quit". A Notice of Hearing was mailed and posted on the Rehab 3-24-98 Page 42 property on March 9, 1998. All interested parties have been notified. The City Building Official recommends that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions removed and/or corrected by May 1, 1998. However, if eviction proceedings are delayed, by circumstances beyond the control of the owner, the abatement date may be extended to June 1, 1998. Ernest Aragon, 2637 Willard Avenue, Rosemead, owner of property, agreed to the conditions and that he will reconvert the attic back to a single family dwelling once the tenants move out. Vice-Chairman Bruesch asked Mr. Aragon what he intends to do with the attic. Steve Bailey, Deputy Building Official, explained that the second floor area where the attic has been converted is being used as a separate dwelling. Boardmember Taylor asked if it was not a separate dwelling, would it be a habitable room that is legal? Mr. Bailey stated that the room could possibly be converted back to be part of the house and not a separate dwelling. Mr. Bailey explained that the upstairs bathroom can remain with provisions, approvals and permits and compliance with Planning and Building codes. MOTION BY VICE-CHAIRMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY BOARDMEMBER CLARK that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions removed and/or corrected by May 1, 1998. However, if eviction proceedings are delayed, by circumstances beyond the control of the owner, the abatement date may be extended to June 1, 1998. Vote resulted: Aye: Bruesch, Vasquez, Imperial, Clark, 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 required on the foregoing items. IV. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS -None V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further action to be taken at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 28, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted. APPROVED: Board Secretary CHAIRMAN Rehab 3-24-9g Page d3