City staff have been working on issues concerning residents living in the designated zoning area wishing to do improvements on their property and the steps and costs necessary to have the work get approved.
Right now, property owners within the O.S.H.Z. area usually need to have a zoning change if they wish to improve the portion of their property that lies within the boundaries of the zone.
Currently, owners can apply for a zoning change for no more than 30 of their property inside the zone and they must pay the costs to have that done.
Staff is working on moving the length out to up to 100 feet and they are also working on plans to bring to the Planning Commission a way for property owners, have a portion of the property within the zone re designated, to be done by having the fees waived.
Currently and until action is taken early next year, property owners who want to make improvements should probably wait until the City Council has voted on the changes so they can waive the fees now imposed and not have to pay to get the limit lines on their property changed to have their space removed from being within the Open Space Hazard Zone.
If you think your property is within the area and you want more information, please contact the Planning Department.
There are a number of residents with the Rolling Hills Riviera and Mira Costa Terrace areas that are affected and I still need to look at the maps for the Mira Vista area to see if that neighborhood has any of that type of zoning.
Did you like how I led off this post by not mentioning the retiring City Council members and the new ones that just took over?
It was like three lions left their den, two new lions entered along with one lioness that provided more smirks and quizzical looks that we have see for some time.
Both Tom Long and Susan Brooks offered books to the new makeup of the council.
Tom included a book about some negativity towards conservatives and their politics and a copy of The U.S. Constitution. He did this after what could be described as some negative words about conservatism.
Susan offered a book about finances for communities.
I'm not going to go into some of the other things Councilwoman Brooks talked about in her inaugural remarks but I must admit there were more than a few folks looking around in disbelief at what she talked about and what could surely be offered as 'three commercials'.
What I will write is that I have opened a new file that will contain items I may use in future posts. My first thought about most of her remarks was that the word "zany" came to mind, more than once.
I was pleasingly impressed with the meeting held by the new council makeup.
As it was natural and supposed to happen, Mr. Anthony Misetich is now Mayor Anthony Misetich and that is a good thing, for me at least.
Also as expected and natural, Councilman Brian Campbell is now Mayor Pro Tem Brian Campbell and that is also as it should be.
Councilwoman Brooks brought forth some proposals for changes in the way council meetings are conducted and eliminating the One Hour Rule.
All five members did a fair, balanced and honest job at dealing with the One Hour Rule, the length of council meetings and whether applause from the gallery would be allowed.
The council voted unanimously to drop the One Hour Rule completely and to end council meetings by 11:00 PM.
There was a split vote on whether applause would be allowed at council meetings. The majority (Brooks, Campbell and Misetich) voted to allow limited applause and that the Mayor has the authority to determine what is appropriate or not.
Councilmembers Knight and Duhovic desented, both for good reasons, I feel. But what it also demonstrated was our first vote where a more progressive member sided with a more conservative on a particular vote. This is more encouraging to me and I hope to see more of that become the majority, as time goes by.
Doug Stern served on the council for twelve years.
Stefan Wolowicz, I believe, served 10 years.
Tom Long served 8 years.
All three men served our city better than very well, in my opinion.
We became and remain a better city because of the work of these three fine gentlemen.
It is now time to look forward and hope their efforts aren't going to become memories because of regression by a majority on the new council.
Remember, a certain 'jolly old elf' is going to be in our area the next few evenings. If you would like him to stop by your house, please call the Lomita Sheriff's Station to find out where Mr. Claus will be over the next three evenings.
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