Here’s some of the things the council...

Here’s some of the things the council will be discussing at their

upcoming meeting:

THROUGH LOTS

The council will consider a controversial zoning amendment that

deals with the expansion of hillsides in the rear of Huntington

Harbour properties. Residents living opposite the hillsides say the

expansions harm the character of the neighborhood and want the city

to ban development of such properties. Hillside homeowners argue that

regulation is a violation of their property rights.

The City Council and Planning Commission have been working on this

issue for months, seeking a compromise between homeowners who want to

expand their and residents who say the expansion ruin the character

of the neighborhood, which was designed to have the hillside buffers.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The council will be presented with four proposals that would let

homeowners expand their property five to 10 feet, while preserving

some of the neighboring hillside, Senior Planner Paul Da Viega said.

This is a very complicated and emotional issue and could take the

council a while to finally come to an agreement. Councilman Dave

Sullivan will have to recuse himself from the discussion because he

lives in Huntington Harbour.

Expect a large turnout for this issue, especially residents living

in Huntington Harbor and on Gilbert Island.

EARLIER MEETINGS

Sullivan is proposing that council meetings begin an hour earlier,

at 6 p.m. That would mean that the council hold its study session at

4 p.m. and closed sessions at 5 p.m.

Sullivan said he wants to reduce the number of meetings that

stretch to 1 a.m. Good policy isn’t made when people are tired, he

said.

WHAT TO EXPECT

It’s hard to predict how the council will go on this one. While

the late meetings are irritating, members of the public might

complain that they can’t get off work in time to attend -- although

Sullivan argues that council presentations and public comment usually

lasts an hour, giving people time.

A delay is also possible since two new council members who will be

effected by the time change -- recently elected Keith Bohr and Don

Hansen -- won’t have a chance to vote on the ordinance because they

don’t start until Dec. 6.

GRAFFITI REMOVAL

The council will be asked to hire someone full-time to handle

graffiti in the city. The new position will pay about $40,000 and

will fall under the Public Works Department.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The position comes during tough budget times, but the city’s

ability to fight graffiti has significantly dropped. Warner Avenue

between Beach Boulevard and the San Diego Freeway south entrance has

been hit particularly hard.

The new position is on the consent agenda and will likely pass.