The following is a recap of the...
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The following is a recap of the June 7 meeting of the City Council.
JUNE 1 LANDSLIDE
Duane Cave, Southern California Gas Co. public affairs manager,
reported that service had been restored to 260 homes in Bluebird
Canyon by June 3. Gas lines were shut down on the day of the slide to
allow emergency personnel safe access to the areas.
Bluebird Canyon Homeowners Assn. members Todd McCallum and Steven
Huberty thanked the mayor, the City Council, the city manager, Public
Works, and police and fire personnel for their tireless efforts and
continuous and honest communications with the families displaced by
the landslide.
South County Bank executive Anne Morris reported that about
$40,000 had been contributed to the Laguna Relief Fund, 100% of which
will go to displaced families. The amount did not include all of the
funds raised June 4 at a breakfast in Bluebird Park and the Island
Party that night. More fundraisers are planned.
Verlaine Crawford, chamber of commerce executive director,
expressed admiration for the council and staff landslide efforts
Gene Gratz announced the formation of a landslide ad hoc committee
of attorneys. The committee will brainstorm about ways to assist the
displaced families and help with the recovery.
Laguna Canyon Conservancy spokesman John Keith said the board will
write letters to support the city’s declaration of a disaster. The
board also recommended a citizen’s oversight committee to monitor
spending for capital improvement projects.
SO. LAGUNA DEVELOPMENT
Referring to three residential projects approved on Ceanothus
Drive in South Laguna, Roger Von Butow said the city could avoid many
problems associated with development on hillsides if California
Environmental Quality Act provisions were followed, including a
prohibition of “piecemeal” development. He said that the proposed
development of houses in South Laguna should be looked at en masse,
to avoid future calamities like the June 1 landslide in Bluebird
Canyon.
South Laguna property owners Mr. and Mrs. John Kiehlemeier, whose
home is downhill from the proposed development, made a joint
presentation, expressing concern that the development of lots
previously considered unbuildable poses a threat. They also called
for a moratorium on all new hillside development and additions of
more than 50%, pending more rigid development standards, and
recommended obtaining surety bonds for hillside development in case
it triggers earth movement that causes costly damage.
Steven Johnson, one of three homeowners on Ceanothus whose home
plans have been approved, contended that new homes have the most
stringent geological requirements. He said his property is very
stable and safe, and hoped the council would overlook attempts by
project opponents to prevent the construction of his home as
approved.
DIP HOUSE
Sandra Sieg asked the city to reopen negotiations with the owner
of the property at 1530 Glenneyre St. where the so-called Dip House
was approved for construction. She also asked for a report on what
had transpired at the council’s closed session with City Attorney
Philip Kohn at the May 17 meeting when the house was approved.
Later, the council approved a document memorializing the
conditions of indemnification specified in the resolution that
granted an appeal and overturned the denial by the Design Review
Board. 3-1.
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