Design Review board denies remodel

A property owner in South Laguna may not be willing to take no for an answer.

The Design Review board denied a proposal Nov. 6 that neighbors opposed to enlarge a Driftwood Drive home, but the out-of-town applicant had until Thursday to file an appeal. It was unknown as of press time is one was filed.

“We are discussing it right now with an attorney,” architect Paul Rosenbaum said.

The proposal would add a second story and about 1,200 square feet to the home.

“Our primary objection was the second story, which eliminated privacy for some neighbors and blocked the view of one homeowner of Aliso Canyon,” project opponent Armando Baez said. “It would have become the highest house on the street.”

Rosenbaum said he was surprised at the denial. The home met all of the city’s codes except for a variance for the nonconforming garage, which was not a part of the proposal, according to Rosenbaum.

He said he had a history of approvals of similar projects he has designed in the neighborhood, one just two doors away from the current proposal. Neighbors claim that only 18 homes have been significantly changed since the tract was built in the 1950s, and the average size is about 1,500 square feet.

Terry Sehi issued a statement lamenting previous Design Review Board decisions that allowed alterations she said were not consistent with the neighborhood. She lauded the board for its denial of the current proposal. The denial was unanimous.

Originally called Driftwood Estates, the tract of 80 one-story homes was built by one developer, who created the covenants, conditions and restrictions in 1952 to protect the privacy and views of homeowners and neighborhood compatibility.

“Although the city is not required to follow the CC&Rs;, the board said they were something to be considered,” said attorney Molly Shipp, who represented the opponents.

“These are big lots, and there is plenty of room to build without building up,” Shipp said.

Baez said the board’s decision will influence future reviews.

“It shows that the DRB will protect neighborhoods, which is important to people like us who want to preserve our neighborhood character,” Baez said.

The neighborhood is tucked into the hillside below Hobo Aliso Ridge. Several years ago, the homeowners bitterly fought against a development of a parcel the would-be developer called Driftwood Estates and they formed the Hobo Aliso Neighborhood Assn.

Driftwood Estates parcel was subsequently sold to Athens Group and renamed Aliso Lots.

Sehi said the neighborhood is breathing a little easier because of the denial.

They may need a second wind, if the appeal is filed.

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or [email protected].