HomeMy WebLinkAboutGeneral Plan Amendment GPA2008003 - Project Description11
!,--_ 19 2009
Huntington Beach
PLANNING DEPT.Subject:
Area in question on Island Bay Lane, owned by the golf course. This area is not part of the
active golf playing area, and is not visually seen in most part by the golfers. The fact that
this area is relatively hidden from the course has led to the lack of maintenance and care
that is consistent with the rest of the Sea Cliff Golf Course. The area consists of dead grass
and weeds that often are several feet tall before it is ever mowed. Most recently, after
complaints from certain neighbors, the golf course management informed us that they had
designated this area as one where they have decided to save water since it is not part of the
played golf course.
Easement to the ro ert at 19681 Island Ba - Cle Resid ce
Issues of Com laints:
Dead Grass
Un-mowed Grass and weeds
Over watering
Under watering
Mowing before 6 am
Rusty broken fence- allowing coyotes to walk down our street as well as injure children.
- fence replaced after years of complaints to City of HB and Golf
Course.
Owner of Sea Cliff Golf Course:
Pulled permits to build house on property
Neighbors complained that it was meant to be kept "open space"
Owner attorneys researched to discover any such legal effect limiting use with restrictions
and found none
Owner in a cooperative effort offers adjacent neighbor opportunity to purchase easement to
beautify area as he finds it totally unacceptable to be left in this condition.
Clegg Family visits City Planning to discover what "open space" consists of just in case
there is such a restriction. Scott Clegg was told that you would be able to plant trees,
landscape, sport court, recreational use as long as no structures were built.
Owner had property surveyed by Adams Streeter Civil Engineer Firm without any input
from neighbors and subsequently presented Clegg's with Easement document. Clegg's
suggested that we meet with other neighbor to discuss how to best divide area. Robert
O'Hill declined and said he would rather meet with us independently and that he had
divided area to "Best Use' standards.
Clegg's checked with Title Company and agreed to purchase easement for significant
amount of money and to incur the cost of improving area.
Approached adjacent neighbor to suggest that we work together to improve area and
response was that he was sick of living here and fighting with Golf Course and plans to
move.
Objective: To Improve Blighted Area
Actions taken b Cle Famil
Met with Sea Cliff GM to discuss - approval granted upon review of AG- attorneys
Consulted with American Golf Attorney who manages course- Approval granted
Paid to have Surveyors set pins on easement boundaries
Received estimates (min of $50K) to scrape dead grass, irrigate, hydro seed, plant
palms along perimeter, install fence in area with open transparent aluminum fence.
(less obstructive than current fencing as there is no cinder block.
Outcome : Benefits Everyone:
City of Huntington Beach
Neighborhood and Residents
Increases property values
Eliminates Constant complaints to City and Golf Course
Beautifies property that has been blighted for over 20 years
Points of Discussion:
1- Attorneys for Land Owner state that there are no restrictions to Owners property
and that assertions to the contrary are false. Owner has granted an easement to
Beautify this property and has given permission to do so.
a) Owner advised us in easement that to beautify area with fencing, trees,
Irrigation etc. required no permits and to begin when ready.
b) Clarity is needed as any obstruction in the process will put into effect a
number of necessary actions to take place.
1) Return of Clegg's invested money
2) Legal authority to cause the obstruction resulting in causing said
area to remain blighted and ripe for continued long term problems
3) Proof of restriction of land use as "open space" or "privatization"
4) Potential lawsuit if there is a conflict of $$ not returned.
Closin 0 inion:
It seems to me and the majority of the neighborhood residents that this is surely a Win-Win
where bye the long term unsightly can now be resolved by this process. The city and the
neighbors will incur no cost but will receive the benefit of this improvement. There seems
to always be someone that will buck change, strangely enough when they are the same few
that have done all the previous complaining about their dissatisfaction of existing
conditions. Let's put our efforts into common sense and improving the situation.
Thank you for your cooperation and prompt attention!
Scott Clegg
714-749-1239