The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutAdministrative Permit APX2013001 - Supporting DocumentsSchle el, David From: Schlegel, David Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 9:24 AM To: 'Amber Baltzer' Subject: RE: 8692 Rath Circle (Administrative Permit No. 13-001) Notice of Action Amber, This email is to follow-up on the conditions of approval for AP 13-001. The Planning Division has not yet received proof of residency from you for any additional instructors at the swim school. In addition to that, I wanted to inform you that I will be leaving the City and therefore will not be your contact on the ongoing monitoring of the permit. Please contact the front desk (714) 536-5271 or Jason Kelley (714) 374-1553 or 'kelle surfcit -hb.or in order to submit conditionally required items. Please direct any additional questions to those contacts as well. I wish you all the best in your Swim School and new home. Have a great day, David Schlegel Plan Checker I Project Planner City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 david.schle el5surfcit -hb.or (714) 536-5253 From: Amber Baltzer [mailto:amberbaltzer@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 9:25 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject : Re: 8692 Rath Circle (Administrative Permit No. 13-001) Notice of Action haha thanks. I was emailing on my phone and I didn't proof read. I meant to say that we are not starting lessons until June. Thanks, Amber On Mar 27, 2013, at 1:22 PM, Schlegel, David wrote: -Amber, This approval has no bearing on when you can live in the house. That is all based on the Building Permits that are issued for your home being finaled. I'm unclear on what you mean in the second part of the email. You are stating that the lessons won't begin until June 10th, 2013? If that's the case, then please provide the proof of residency prior to operation... Having the lease contracts by May is fine. 1 Thanks,• a David Schlegel Plan Checker I Project Planner City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 9264E david.schle elgsurfcit -hb.or (714) 536-5253 From: Amberbaltzer [mailto:amberbaltzer@gmail.com] Sent : Wednesday, March 27, 2013 1:15 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Re: 8692 Rath Circle (Administrative Permit No. 13-001) Notice of Action Great thanks. So we will not live in the house by April 5th? It should be done April 25th and lessons this year will. It be starting until June 10th. I will get you the lease contracts by may Sent from my iPhone On Mar 27, 2013, at 9:46 AM, "Schlegel, David" <David.Schle el surfeit -hb.or > wrote: the Director may consider modifications to the conditions of approval to address noise issues or any other codes or conditions. Please be aware that prior to operation of your swim school this and 2 AP 2013-0011 Balrter Swim School 18692 Rath Cir. • • Time Student # 1 10:00am 2 10:10am 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm Student Arrival Time Student Arrival Time 10:20am 10:30am 10:40am 10:50am 11:00am 11:10am 11:20am 11:30am 11:40am 11:50am 12:00pm Total Students per hour 5.5 6 6 6 Total # of Cars at One Time 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Total # of Students in 1 day (10am - 4pm) Total # of appts. per week 205 2:00am 3:00pm :00pm 3AO -q.(?Prt `& ) 6 6 5.5 . DATE: Dec 18th 2012 Dear Future Neighbor, Rr--('71 Fn r_rr n'F J "l 02 2013 101? This letter is to notify you that Amber's Swim School is proposing to have a small private backyard swim school at 8692 Rath Cir. Huntington Beach CA. Pursuant to Section 241.24'of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance, the Neighborhood Notification process is required. You may review the pr ed plans at lanning Department, 2000 Main St, Huntington Beach CA fro Dec. 21`h to Dec 31s . or contact the Planning Department at (714)536-5271. All comm i ted the Planning Department prior to the expiration date for review of the proposal. Under the provisions of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance, the action taken by the Director of Planning becomes final, unless appealed. A person desiring to appeal the decision shall file a written notice of appeal with the Planning Department within ten calendar days of the date of the Planning Department's action. T e notice of appeal shall include the name and address of the appellant, the decision being appealed, and the basis for the appeal. A filing fee shall also accompany the notice of appeal. The appeal fee is $494.00. The appeal period starts at the end of the 10-day review period, If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (714) 598-6163 Sincerely, Amber Baltzer Cl V'AS losetCc: City of Huntington Beach Planning Department gp_'i1S ?AMC R( NV'*TIFIC trQ1 W Rat) 'C2) De sw Schle el, David From: Schlegel, David Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 9:46 AM To: 'Amber Baltzer' Subject: 8692 Rath Circle (Administrative Permit No. 13-001) Notice of Action Attachments: 8692 Rath Cir. (AP 13-001 - Amber's Swim School) NOA.pdf Amber, This email is to notify you of the Action taken by the Director of the Planning and Building Department on your Administrative Permit No. 2013-001 for the Home Swim School Occupation at 8692 Rath Cir. Your permit was conditionall a roved and a notice has been sent out in the mail. For your convenience I have attached the notice to this email as well as included the conditions of approval which are listed below: CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - ADMINISTRATIVE PERMIT NO. 13-001: 1. The site plan received and dated February 20, 2013, shall be the conceptually approved layout and location of the pool. 2. The amended narrative received and dated February 20, 2013, shall be the approved operation of the home occupation. The swim school shall only operate from the beginning of May through August each year between the hours of 10:00am and 4:10pm, Monday through Friday. 3. The maximum number of students in the swimming pool and instruction area at one time is two (2) and the maximum number of instructors in the pool at one time is two (2), resulting in a maximum total of four (4) people in the pool at any given time. 4. No students or patrons shall be permitted to wait on site prior to his/her scheduled appointment nor remain on site after his/her instruction period. Parents and siblings arriving in the same vehicle with scheduled consecutive or overlapping appointments may be permitted on site during consecutive appointment times and remain until scheduled instruction has completed. 5. Each appointment start time is required to be staggered ten (10) minutes apart. 6. All parking for this home occupation shall be provided within the three (3) car driveway and patrons of the swim school shall not park in any other location. 7. Prior to operation, proof of residency shall be provided to the Planning Division for any instructor(s) who are not the property owner(s) of the swim school site. The proof of residency shall be provided to the Planning Division annually and prior to the swim school's operation each year in the month of April. 8. A review of the use shall be conducted within one year of operation of the swim school by the Huntington Beach Planning and Building Department to verify compliance with all conditions of approval as well as the Huntington Beach Noise Ordinance. At that time the Director may consider modifications to the conditions of approval to address noise issues or any other codes or conditions. Please be aware that prior to operation of your swim school this and every year, the proof of residency is required. The action of the Director will become final once the ten (10) day appeal period ends on Friday, April 5, 2013. I wish you all the best in your new home and swim school location. As always, feel free to contact me with the information below should you have any further questions. Have a great day, David Schlegel 1 Plan Checker I Project Planner City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 david.schle ell!surfcit -hb.or (714) 536.5253 • 2 Schle el, David From: Schlegel, David Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 10:53 AM To: 'Natali Carano'; 'Nicki DeProsperis Castro'; 'Patricia Barba'; 'Robert Hoffman'; 'Christine Bixby'; 'Rachel S'; 'Lauren Bond'; 'Ariane McClellan'; 'Helen Ritter'; 'Gustafson Family'; 'Heather Johnston'; Julie'; 'David Morrison'; 'Tamra Searle'; 'Dana Mullin'; 'Jill Kroese'; 'Laura Peterson'; 'eweiner25@aol.com'; 'Greg Sanfilippo'; 'Lara Voloshin'; 'Kevin and Sandie Justen'; 'Stephanie Graney'; 'Nicole Miller'; 'Zoe Seals'; 'Kristi Manthorne'; 'Jane'; 'Kristina Savage'; 'Taylor Yurada'; 'Sharlene Heard'; 'Matt and Christine Mills'; 'Tram Mai'; 'Jen Schumann'; 'Deborah Bamsey'; 'Catherine Miller; 'Jennifer Cassity'; 'Kristy Haight; 'Jill Tanner'; 'Jill Carder' Subject: Amber's Swim School - 8692 Rath Cir. (Administrative Permit No. 13-001 Notice of Action) Attachments: 8692 Rath Cir. (AP 13-001 - Amber's Swim School) NOA.pdf Supporters of Amber's Swim School, Thank you for submitting comments for Amber's Swim School at 8692 Rath Circle (Administrative Permit No. 13-001). This email is to notify you that the Director for the Planning and Building Department has taken action on the permit and on March 26, 2013 the permit was conditionall a roved. As a courtesy, please find the attached Notice of Actions with the conditions of approval for your information. If you have any questions regarding this action please feel free to contact me with the information below. If your questions are more general in regards to Planning information, please visit or call the front desk at (714) 536-5271. Thank you for interest in this permit and again, thank you for your input. Have a great day, David Schlegel Plan Checker I Project Planner City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 david.schle el9surfcit -hb.or (714) 536-5253 i Schle el, David From: Schlegel, David Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 4:33 PM To: 'Amber Baltzer' Subject: Administrative Permit 13-001 Additional Public Comments recieved. Attachments: 8692 Rath Letters.pdf; 8692 Rath Letters (Concern).pdf Amber, We received one additional public response of concern for your project today as well as an additional letter of support on Monday. They are attached for your records. Please contact me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss staffs pending approval with conditions and so we can finalize your permit. I look forward to hearing from you soon, and I will try to call you again tomorrow. Thank you. Have a great rest of the day, David Schlegel Plan Checker I Planning Intern City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 david.schle el9surfcit -hb.or (714) 536-5253 1 Schle el, David From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: Amber, Schlegel, David Friday, February 08, 2013 3:51 PM 'Amber Baltzer Arabe, Jill Public Comments for Ambers Swim School (8692 Rath Cir. - AP 13-001) 8692 Rath Cir. - Ambers Swim School (Letters of Concern-Opposition).pdf; 8692 Rath Cir. - Ambers Swim School (Letters of Support).pdf This email is to provide you with copies of the letters submitted to the City in regards to your Administrative Permit (AP 13-001) for Amber's Swim School at 8692 Rath Circle. Please find the attached files for your own record. Please be advised that the Planning Division is still in need of a revised narrative in order to deem your application complete and take action on it. The revised narrative shall include the amended elements of your swim school operations (maximum 2 instructors and 2 students at one time as well as the staggering of appointment times for ten minutes) as well as the unchanged specifics of your swim school operation that were included in the original narrative that you provided. If you have any questions regarding your Administrative Permit, please don't hesitate to call me or email me with the information below. Thank you. Sincerely, David Schlegel Plan Checker I Planning Intern City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 david.schle elgsurfcit -hb.or (714) 536-5253 1 Schie el, David From: Amber Baltzer [amberbaltzer@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 2:41 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Re: Amber's swim school Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Completed David, Students are able to make their own schedule so some go once a week most go everyday for a week.. just depends on their needs. I have the swim school run 10 until 4 with 20 minute sessions back to back. So there could be up to 6 students per hour for 6 hours with a short 20 min lunch break. So that means there can be up to 34 students each day. The same 34 students could come all week or there could be (less likely) new students everyday with the grand total of 170 students. At the end of the day I do not feel it makes a difference if it was 34 students for the week or 170 for the week. It is the same amount of students in the pool. 34 per day 6 per hour ( or I guess 5 since they will be staggering) and the most 2 at a time. The parking with staggering lessons will have no parking issues. I have a 3 car driveway. 1 car drives in at 9:58 for their 10:00 appointment. The next car comes around 10:08 for their 10:10 appointment. Then 10:18 another car comes for their 10:20 lesson. Now the driveway is full. Then 10:22 the 1st car leaves and then at 10:28 the next car comes for the 10:30 appointment and it goes on and on for the day. I will make sure that parents are aware of the neighbors and I will let them know that when their lesson is done they must immediately leave and I will also tell the parents to not come more then 5 minutes prior to the lesson time. This is the norm anyways. Parents usually are right on time or a little late.. and they leave immediately after. it will be no problem. When do you think I will know about the final approval? I know that we need to wait the 10 days just didn't know when you sent it out. Thanks, Amber ps. i would also love to know how my instructors living with me is going to decrease the annoyance of a swim school in the neighborhood. When that just means more people living in my house? just so I can explain to my instructors. there will be 2 instructors in the pool at one time because I am only allowed 2 cars right? So That On Jan 22, 2013, at 9:38 AM, Schlegel, David wrote: > Amber, > Thank you for your email. I am trying to put this possible staggering > idea together for staff's project review meeting today. I do have a > few follow-up questions for you that would help staff continue to > evaluate all the issues: > 1. Do students attend the swim school more than once a week? Or are > these appointments a once a week type instruction? > 2. What is the maximum number of students that you offer this service 1 > to in one week (Monday - Fray). • > These items would help me in our staff meeting to strengthen the > argument for staggering the appointment times. > I want you to know that, while I believe that the nature of your > business would not produce a significant noise impact on adjacent > residences, the rest of staff may not feel the same way. In addition > to that, home businesses in general are outside of the intent of the > Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Code, which is to > maintain a zone with residential uses and residential type impacts. > Swim school instructions especially, are sensitive due to the fact > that they are the only home occupations that take place outside the > walls of the home. What's more is that your new neighbors have > expressed concerns and opinions that oppose this type of business > adjacent to them. Staggering the arrivals helps with both > traffic/parking and noise and that is the issue staff will be > discussing. I will contact you once we have come up with a possible > solution and we'll go forward from there. I look forward to hearing > from you on the questions raised above and I appreciate your patience and understanding in this review process. > Have a great day, > David Schlegel > Plan Checker I Planning Intern > City of Huntington Beach > 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 > david.schlegel@surfcity-hb.org > (714) 536-5253 > -----Original Message----- > From: Amber Baltzer [mailto:amberbaltzer@gmail.com] > Sent: Friday, January 18, 2013 7:56 PM > To: Schlegel, David > Subject: Amber's swim school > To whom it may concern, > I spoke with David regarding Amber's Swim School business permit. He > told me that the business would need to have a 15 min break between > each lesson in order for the swim school to be permitted. This makes > no logical sense to me. The lessons are private lessons that are 20 > minutes long. Making the schedule 20 min lesson 15 min break > throughout the day?? 80% of my students are siblings so that would > make the family have a lesson get back in their car wait 15 mins then > go back and have another lesson?? There is no way that I am going to be doing this. > I suggested that I can have the lessons stager. This means I have one > lesson start at 10:00 another lesson start at 10:10 meaning that > families are always coming and going. There would always be a spot for > the people to park. > We have never had an issue with parking... ever. 6 years not one 2 > complaint from any of the neig0hbors. Lots of the students livET"in the > area and walk or ride their bike. But even if all the students drove > never an issue. > I am still shocked about how difficult this process has been. This > swim school has been existing in the same neighborhood for 6 years. My > neighbors have never had a complaint... once again never. > My kids ages (5,4,3,2) are S0000 much louder and crazier then the swim > school... therefore, I think my neighbors loved when swim school was > in session. > My History: > I moved to HB 13.5 years ago with my husband and feel in love with the > place. The people were so low key and fun, the neighborhoods were > nice, and most of all everything was centered around the water > (especially > surfing) which we LOVE. I have always been in love with swimming and > teaching so as soon as I moved here I started teaching. I soon > realized that HB was lacking majorly in the teaching swimming > department. All they offered was either indoor swimming lessons with > many kids at one time and instructors that were straight out of high > school not knowing what they were doing or swim lessons in the high > school/ collage pools that are cold and also have a lot of things > going on. I decided I needed to change this. How was a town centered > around the water lacking a great swim school? > As soon as I bought our house in Midbury I started my swim school. It > has been a success since it started. People LOVE the warm (92 degree) > water and then quiet atmosphere. I graduated in Kinesiotherapy which > is the use of exercise to help rehabilitate. With my background and > atmosphere I attracted a lot of children with disabilities. It has > been an amazingly rewarding career to see all different children learn > to love the water as much as I do. > Now with that said. I am torn... I can not believe what the city is > putting me through? I would understand if this was a new business but > it is not. It is an existing successful business. Do i not have a swim > school any more??? Where would my 200+ families go for lessons? > Especially the ones with disabilities? Swimming is a life saving skill > and EVERYONE needs to know how to swim. I keep my cost extremely low > for private lessons due to the fact that I want kids to know how to swim. > Every other place that offers private lessons are twice as much as me > with not as much experience and an extremely uncomfortable environment. > When we talk about inconvienence... no one is more bothered by the > swim school then my family of 6. We have to give up our backyard and > pool, our privacy in our house (as they use our bathroom), and our > driveway to allow the swim school to go on. I pay my instructors 20 > dollars an hour because they are collage students that are working > their way to a degree. So with that said I don't make a lot of money > and I give up my home privacy and backyard, but I still continue to do > it because I LOVE swimming and feel that we in HB need to be pro water safety. > NOW... you are telling me that I will have to have my instructors live > with my family... even though their parents are down the street.. and > that they have to work the same amount of time with 1/2 the pay 3 > because we need to allow for parking flow?• > Please advise me on your decisions... I am so extremely torn right now > on what to do. I would like to meet with the decision makers in person. > Thank you, > Amber Baltzer > 7145986163 4 Schle el, David From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: Amber, Schlegel, David Tuesday, February 12, 2013 8:04 AM 'Amber Baltzer' Arabe, Jill 8692 Rath Circle (AP 13-001 - Ambers Swim School) Code Requirements.pdf 8692 Rath Circle (AP 13-001 - Ambers Swim School) Code Requirements.pdf Please find the attached Code Requirements Letter for your convenience. You will be receiving a hardcopy via mail in a few days, but I wanted to provide you with an electronic copy as well. This letter lists applicable development and use requirements excerpted from the City of Huntington Beach Zoning & Subdivision Ordinance for your proposed swim school. It is intended to be an informative tool for you as we go forward with your permit application. If you have any questions regarding this letter, feel free to contact Jill Arabe, Associate Planner at 'arabe surfcit -hb.or / (714) 374- 5357 or myself with the information below. Just a reminder, that in order for the Planning Division to deem your application complete and take action on it, we will need a revised narrative described in my previous email. You can send a digital pdf via email, bring a new copy in to the counter or fax the narrative to (714)374-1647; whatever method you prefer. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great day, David Schlegel Plan Checker I Planning Intern City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 david.schle el9surfcit -hb.or (714) 536-5253 1 Schle el, David From: Schlegel, David Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 8:30 AM To: 'Amber Baltzer' Subject: RE: Amber's swim school Amber, I do apologize for the delayed response as I was out of the office a few days last week. Yes I am still in need of the revisions on the plans which show the access/gate for the students at the side yard as well as the dimensions which show three (3) parking spaces in the driveway. As for the letters, I have received a lot of them and they continue to pour in. I also received a phone call from Kevin Justin and a visit from Ruben Solarzano whom have nothing but praise for the business you run. I did not doubt that you ran a good business as the 6 years with no complaint speaks volumes. While all of these letters only further prove that point and do help to an extent, the real type of support letter that would help most, is the one that comes from your future/new adjacent neighbors. As for the question regarding having the Instructors living at the home where the lessons take place. This was a provision in the code (Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance) that was adopted by Council along with the other provisions which apply to Home Occupations in R Districts. The intent of the code regarding Home Occupations in R districts was to ensure that they functioned in Residential Zones as if they were not there. Having employees/instructors reside at the home allows for the instructors to be a part of the residence and not be coming and going as they would for a business in a non-residential zone. One such case happened where a residential home was being used for office uses only. The staff would arrive during the day and work normal business hours with cars parked on the street in some case. Then they would leave the home vacant at night. You can imagine that his is not the type of use the city will accept in a residential zone. Thus, the code was written with great sensitivity to home occupations in R districts. The intent of the code is very adamant about preserving residential zones as functioning like such. Here is the exact language as it is written in the code: HBZSO 230.12(C)2 - "No one other than a resident of the dwelling shall be employed on-site or report to work at the site in the conduct of a home occupation. This prohibition also applies to independent contractors." The re-notification letters that the city has agreed to send out are going into the mailbox this morning. The time for public comment and review of the plans is from January 29, 2013 through February 12, 2013 at 5:00pm. Staff will be looking to take action on your permit no later than the following week. Let me know if you have any other questions Amber, and please get the revisions to the plans to me as soon as you can. Thank you. Sincerely, David Schlegel Plan Checker I Planning Intern City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 david.schlegel@surfcity-hb.org (714) 536-5253 1 -----Original Message----- From: Amber Baltzer [mailto:amberbaltzer@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 2:26 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Re: Amber's swim school Hi David, Did you need anything more from me? Did you get my last email? I wrote an email yesterday to some of my students/ neighbors seeing if they would be willing to email you their thoughts about the swim school. Let me know if this helps. I can ask a lot more to send them if you think it helps??? Thanks, Amber Baltzer 7145986163 On Jan 22, 2013, at 12:04 PM, Schlegel, David wrote: > Amber, > I put together this (attached) spreadsheet based off your proposed > staggering of appointments suggestion. Let me know if this is > something you'd be able to work with. A few notes: > 1. The green is the 20 min instruction period. The red shows a period > of time where the student is leaving the school. Essentially, the > driveway would have a maximum of 3 cars in it at one time with a 10 > min. period of time for each student to dry-off and leave so that the > next car can arrive in that space. Thus, parking on the cul de sac > would not be affected by this business. AND The Huntington Beach > Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (HBZSO Section 230.12.8) which states > that no more than 2 vehicles shall be used to transport students to > classes will be complied with as 2 vehicles are scheduled to be parked > while the 3rd vehicle is essentially supposed to be leaving during the 10 min. period. > 2. Staff did not agree on whether or not the traffic from this type of > schedule would be something we could support. The Huntington Beach > Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (HBZSO Section 230.12.4) States: > "A home occupation shall not increase pedestrian or vehicle traffic in > the neighborhood." > It is difficult to determine that this type of schedule (at its > maximum potential impact) does not increase vehicle traffic. I will be > seeking comments from our traffic engineer in the Public Works > department to see what type of impact this business would have on > existing traffic and the increase in traffic that it may or may not have. > In the meantime, please respond to my questions in the email prior to > this one, as well as my question regarding the attachment. Would you > accept the staggering schedule I have drafted? If you have any other > questions please contact me Amber. I look forward to hearing from you 2 > soon. > Thank you, > David Schlegel > Plan Checker I Planning Intern > City of Huntington Beach > 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 > david.schlegel@surfcity-hb.org > (714) 536-5253 > -----Original Message----- > From: Schlegel, David > Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:38 AM > To: 'Amber Baltzer' > Subject: RE: Amber's swim school > Amber, > Thank you for your email. I am trying to put this possible staggering > idea together for staff's project review meeting today. I do have a > few follow-up questions for you that would help staff continue to > evaluate all the issues: > 1. Do students attend the swim school more than once a week? Or are > these appointments a once a week type instruction? > 2. What is the maximum number of students that you offer this service > to in one week (Monday - Friday). > These items would help me in our staff meeting to strengthen the > argument for staggering the appointment times. > I want you to know that, while I believe that the nature of your > business would not produce a significant noise impact on adjacent > residences, the rest of staff may not feel the same way. In addition > to that, home businesses in general are outside of the intent of the > Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Code, which is to > maintain a zone with residential uses and residential type impacts. > Swim school instructions especially, are sensitive due to the fact > that they are the only home occupations that take place outside the > walls of the home. What's more is that your new neighbors have > expressed concerns and opinions that oppose this type of business > adjacent to them. Staggering the arrivals helps with both > traffic/parking and noise and that is the issue staff will be > discussing. I will contact you once we have come up with a possible > solution and we'll go forward from there. I look forward to hearing > from you on the questions raised above and I appreciate your patience and understanding in this review process. > Have a great day, > David Schlegel > Plan Checker I Planning Intern > City of Huntington Beach 3 > 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 > david.schlegel@surfcity-hb.org > (714) 536-5253 • > -----Original Message----- > From: Amber Baltzer [mailto:amberbaltzer@gmail.com] > Sent: Friday, January 18, 2013 7:56 PM > To: Schlegel, David > Subject: Amber's swim school > To whom it may concern, > I spoke with David regarding Amber's Swim School business permit. He > told me that the business would need to have a 15 min break between > each lesson in order for the swim school to be permitted. This makes > no logical sense to me. The lessons are private lessons that are 20 > minutes long. Making the schedule 20 min lesson 15 min break > throughout the day?? 80% of my students are siblings so that would > make the family have a lesson get back in their car wait 15 mins then > go back and have another lesson?? There is no way that I am going to be doing this. > I suggested that I can have the lessons stager. This means I have one > lesson start at 10:00 another lesson start at 10:10 meaning that > families are always coming and going. There would always be a spot for > the people to park. > We have never had an issue with parking... ever. 6 years not one > complaint from any of the neighbors. Lots of the students live in the > area and walk or ride their bike. But even if all the students drove > never an issue. > I am still shocked about how difficult this process has been. This > swim school has been existing in the same neighborhood for 6 years. My > neighbors have never had a complaint... once again never. > My kids ages (5,4,3,2) are 50000 much louder and crazier then the swim > school... therefore, I think my neighbors loved when swim school was > in session. > My History: > I moved to HB 13.5 years ago with my husband and feel in love with the > place. The people were so low key and fun, the neighborhoods were > nice, and most of all everything was centered around the water > (especially > surfing) which we LOVE. I have always been in love with swimming and > teaching so as soon as I moved here I started teaching. I soon > realized that HB was lacking majorly in the teaching swimming > department. All they offered was either indoor swimming lessons with > many kids at one time and instructors that were straight out of high > school not knowing what they were doing or swim lessons in the high > school/ collage pools that are cold and also have a lot of things > going on. I decided I needed to change this. How was a town centered > around the water lacking a great swim school? 4 > As soon as I bought our house in Midbury I started my swim school. It > has been a success since it started. People LOVE the warm (92 degree) > water and then quiet atmosphere. I graduated in Kinesiotherapy which > is the use of exercise to help rehabilitate. With my background and > atmosphere I attracted a lot of children with disabilities. It has > been an amazingly rewarding career to see all different children learn > to love the water as much as I do. > Now with that said. I am torn... I can not believe what the city is > putting me through? I would understand if this was a new business but > it is not. It is an existing successful business. Do i not have a swim > school any more??? Where would my 200+ families go for lessons? > Especially the ones with disabilities? Swimming is a life saving skill > and EVERYONE needs to know how to swim. I keep my cost extremely low > for private lessons due to the fact that I want kids to know how to swim. > Every other place that offers private lessons are twice as much as me > with not as much experience and an extremely uncomfortable environment. > When we talk about inconvienence... no one is more bothered by the > swim school then my family of 6. We have to give up our backyard and > pool, our privacy in our house (as they use our bathroom), and our > driveway to allow the swim school to go on. I pay my instructors 20 > dollars an hour because they are collage students that are working > their way to a degree. So with that said I don't make a lot of money > and I give up my home privacy and backyard, but I still continue to do > it because I LOVE swimming and feel that we in HB need to be pro water safety. > NOW... you are telling me that I will have to have my instructors live > with my family... even though their parents are down the street.. and > that they have to work the same amount of time with 1/2 the pay > because we need to allow for parking flow? > Please advise me on your decisions... I am so extremely torn right now > on what to do. I would like to meet with the decision makers in person. > Thank you, > Amber Baltzer > 7145986163 > <Baltzer Swim School Potential Appointment Staggering.xlsx> 5 Schle el, David From: shelly alberry [shellyalberry@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2013 9:26 AM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Pool Business in Residential Neighborhood David N Thank you for returning my call regarding the swimming pool business to be located in our neighborhood. As mentioned in our conversation, we have no problem with people running businesses out of their home, per se. Our concern is the ultimate size of the business and considering that we have 15+ pools on our block alone, it is not outside the realm of possibility that more of these businesses might one day be established. Concerns include the following: 1) How many swimming lesson businesses or businesses requiring a pool would be allowed in the neighborhood? Is there a limit or would this be handled on a case-by-case basis? 2) At what point would the business be required to move to a facility outside of a residential neighborhood? In short, how much traffic, noise and other inconveniences would have to occur before the city came in and forced the relocation of the business to an area specifically zoned for such? 3) What constitutes inconvenience for the surrounding neighborhood ... lack of parking, excessive traffic, etc., and are there standards already in place to address these concerns? 4) How does an accident/death affect the neighborhood? While this seems unlikely, all potential outcomes should be up for discussion. I would be interested to see if there are existing swimming lesson businesses in the area and how they have impacted the community. Again, let us stress that especially in the economic circumstances in which we live, we want people to use their property to the best and full use of their land as they see fit. A common sense approach would mean that in all probability this will be a small business that will add a modest income and provide a needed service. I just want to make sure that we look at any new business carefully, particularly one that involves children, before allowing it in a residential neighborhood where other options already exist. Regards, Michelle Alberry 1 1. 0 0 /-2h 7// -z- Dear Huntington Beach Planning Department, in regards to the proposed private swim school at 8692 Rath Cir H.B, We are opposed to such school due to the noise a swim school would impose on my family and our quality of life. We moved from a condo due to the noise kids make all day while in a swimming pool from morning till night. We can't believe that we might be in the same situation once more. We moved to this house due to its great location with no businesses near by. As it is, we hear all the soccer games from Moffett Park on Saturday and Sunday mornings and that is further away. Where 8692 Rath Cir. is situated it is directly behind my house and there is a noise tunnel right into my house, due to all the open area in front from Moffett Park. There are no houses to muffle the noise. I spoke to Amber Baltzer on the phone and she informed me that the swim school would run from 9-5 5days a week with 3-4 instructors. This is not a small swim school, but a full blown business that my family is strongly opposed to. I know kids swim in pools and have fun all summer, my kids included but it's not for 8 hours a day all week. I have 2 teenage sons that are going full boar for 10 months out of the year with team sports and academics. Summer time is the only time they can sleep in very LATE and get ready for the next grueling year. They are angry and can't believe that there is going to be kids squealing in a pool starting early in the morning right behind their bedroom windows. Please put yourselves in our position and think if you would want a swim school making noise all day long 5 days a week. In addition to the swimming kids making noise, have you considered about the neighborhoods dogs barking every time they hear car doors closing, every time kids are getting to their lessons. Also, this house is in a cul-de-sac, where are these cars going to park? In my own experience my 2 dogs and the neighbors dogs are going to be barking their heads off every time they hear the kids in the pool. I'm not going to be going into the back yard every few minutes to quiet them down, this is no way to live. I think with all the noise and traffic that's going to occur, it's going to disrupt our lives. I hope you take what I have said into consideration and not allow this school to disrupt our nice quiet neighborhood. Sincerely, The Scheid Family 8672 Larthorn Dr. H.B. 92646 714-593-6200 L 8672 Larthorn Dr. Huntington Beach. CA - Google Maps http:umaps.google.com'maps'?h1=en&tab-wl Co SIC 0 Marva e Pr To see all the details that are visible on the screen, use the "Print" link text to the map The /flees C(-e jo/IP_ <2 s c Eve,,mom noise, !a1;rfh 11 0 I Sc' -Turn ne t1015e Mo"ell: ark Map data ©2012 Gooye - r 1 of 1 12/26/2012 3:45 PM • Queena Duong 20322 Camfield Lane Huntington Beach, CA 92646 February 12, 2013 David Schlegel City of Huntington Beach Department of Planning and Building 2000 Main Street,3rd Floor Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Dear Mr. Schlegel, 41 My name is Queena Duong, and I am writing to you regarding Administrative Permit No. 13-001 (Amber's Swim School). After reviewing the plans, I have a few concerns that I would like to express to you. The applicant proposes to operate a swim school, which must be conducted in the backyard pool. From this backyard, one can look over into the backyards of the surrounding neighbors. Looking at the schedule of student's arrival time, there will be 205 appointments per week. An appointment in the hundreds is quite large, and with this many people coming and going from the school, and being able to look over into the backyards of the surrounding neighbors, I am concerned about the neighborhood's safety. What would be done to ensure the safety of the surrounding neighbors? The applicant proposes that each lesson will be twenty minutes long with no more than two students and two instructors in the pool. With any business, an owner would want to expand their business. In this case, how would the number of students and instructors in the pool at any given time be regulated? Last but not least, the schedule of students' arrival time shows that there will be a total of 6 students per hour. With a proposed operating schedule between 10:00am and 4:00pm, the applicant will be operating for 6 hours. At a rate of 6 students per hour for 6 hours, that means 36 students per day. The schedule of students' arrival time shows that there will be a total of 41 students in 1 day, which is more than time allows. Thank you so much for your time. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (714) 299- 1309. Sincerely, Queena Duong Schle el, David From: Amber Baltzer [amberbaltzer@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 11:01 PM To: REE1208@aol.com Cc: Schlegel, David Subject: Re: Swim School drama.. I need your help! Thank you Ruth. The emails are greatly appreciated. the email address below is wrong it is David Schlegel <david.schle el surfci -hb.or > Sincerely, Amber On Jan 29, 2013, at 10:57 PM, REE1208 aol.com wrote: Hi Amber: So sorry to hear about the problems you are having with the city and new neighbors. I will be happy to send a note to the city in support!! Take care, Ruth & Adriana In a message dated 1/22/2013 4:36:24 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, amberbaltzer mail.com writes: HI Friends, swimmers, neighbors, etc. I have been dealing with the city for the last 2 months trying to get my swim school's business license address changed to my new address. Thought it was not going to be a big deal.. right? Since this business has been running in this same neighborhood for 6 years. Well apparently I moved out of the "leave it to beaver" part of the neighborhood... where everyone is amazing. I LOVED my old neighbors and never had a problem with any of them. Now I am already having problems with my new neighbors and i haven't even moved in. They are complaining about the swim school and have no clue what they are even complaining about. So the city is being really really REALLY difficult. I talked to the person about my business license case and he said it would be helpful to hear from OLD NEIGHBORS and SWIM STUDENTS. They are letting me run the swim school they are just putting major restrictions.. one being my instructors have to live with me ?? Weird... but ok. The other one has to do with parking and traffic. They think my swim school will cause to much traffic and parking issues in the neighborhood. I have told them over and over that i Have a 3 car driveway now and there are only 2 cars at a time there so it will not be a problem. But they just do not believe me. So he told me that if they got lots of emails it would help my case in having less restrictions; SO PLEASE HELP!!! If you are a parent of a swim student and love our swim school... let the city know. Let them know why my swim school is unique in HB and why you attend. let them know how you feel about the noise and the traffic in the area. IF you are a neighbor OR know my neighbors emails (send this to them). They want to know how the traffic and parking is. And how is having a swim school in your neighborhood effected you? and if you have met my kids then you know that my KIDS are WAY louder and crazier then the swim 1 school.... let the city know!!! I WOULD LOVE YOUR HELP!! email: david schle el surfci -hb.or Love, Amber *** we will for sure see you in the summer... even if my instructors have to live with me!= 2 Schle el, David From: Jill Kroese [jilly727@aol.coml Sent: Thursday, January 24, 201311:19 AM To: Schlegel, David Cc: amberbaltzer@gmaii.com Subject: Amber's Swim School Hello David, My 2-year old son, Logan, is a swim school student of Amber Baltzer's Swim School. We are looking forward to another summer of swim lessons and hopeful that the city and neighbors are also supportive of her business. Going to Amber's home for swim lessons is a wonderful atmosphere for kids. My son greatly benefits from the one-on-one attention and is able to focus and stay calm because of the quiet, uncrowded pool. He and his instructor were not distracted by other activities going on around them or by a large crowd. It was only myself and one other parent sitting poolside during his lessons. Since only two students receive lessons at the same time, I was always able to park my car in Amber's driveway or directly in front of her home. I am optimistic that as the city and neighbors learn about Amber's Swim School, they will be as impressed and supportive of it as I am as a parent. Sincerely, Jill Kroese 562-547-2943 1 Schle el, David From: Laura Peterson [Ipeterson3@socal.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 11:01 AM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Ambers swim school I'm writing to let you know of our positive experience with Ambers swim school. My children have taken lessons from her. There are just 2 children at a time taking lessons. Parking has never been an issue as just two cars are there at a time. The community greatly benefits from having private swim lessons like this right in our neighborhood. Thank you for considering her business. Sincerely, Laura Peterson 1 I v$CIT I *OF HUNTINGTSN BEACH 2000 Main Street Phone: (714) 536-5411 California 92648 www.huntingtonbeachca.gov FIRE DEPARTMENT Patrick McIntosh Fire Chief Mr. David Schlegel: Project Planner City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA 92648 SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF BUSINESS LICENSE FOR AMBER'S SWIM SCHOOL Dear Mr. Schlegel: I am writing regarding the consideration of approval of a business license for Amber's Swim School (Administrative Permit 13-001 Project Address: 8692 Rath, Business License number; A264371). [STATE REASONS THE BUSINESS LICENSE SHOULD BE APPROVED, SUCH AS: Both of my children went to Ambers Swim School, the past Four years. They learned to swim at this school. They became water safe at this school. I believe this business is of great benefit to our community. It is convenient and affordable. It did not create parking or traffic problems in the neighborhood. It also provides a tremendous service by helping handicapped children learn to swim. I sincerely hope you will approve the business license for Amber's Swim School. Sincerely, Ruben Solorzano Fire Prevention Inspector RSolorzano@surfcity-hb.org "Smoke Detectors Save Lives" Schle el, David From: Nicki DeProsperis Castro [nicki.deprosperis.castro@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 7:39 AM To: Schlegel, David Cc: amberbaltzer@gmail.com Subject: AMBER SWIM SCHOOL Hello - I am writing because I hear Amber Swim School has not gotten a permit for teaching. I am VERY disappointed, my daughter is 3, attended swim school for the first time last year and LOVED it. She will be heart broken if she can't attend this summer. With classes every 20 minutes cars are in and out, there was NEVER a parking problem, I couldn't hear noise from the street and was VERY impressed on how the school was run. Amber Swim School does a GREAT job, parking is easy, minimal noise and is keeping kids SAFE from water accidents. Please allow it to continue doing it's job! Sincerely, Nicki Castro 714.349.3910 1 Schle el, David From: Robert Hoffman [hborchids@earthlink.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 7:10 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Swim School David, We are former neighbors of Amber Baltzer and are completely in support of her maintaining her swim school. We live about four houses down from Amber's old house and there never were more than two to three cars parked on the street as a result of ongoing swim lessons. The traffic increase was negligible at best. This business is a very low-key operation and is hardly noticeable. Two of our grand kids have taken swim lessons from her. It is my understanding that her new neighbors are concerned about traffic, parking, and noise issues. These concerns, while potentially legitimate issues, are totally blown out of proportion for what actually occurs. In many instances, there are people who walk to the swimming lessons. There is no additional noise beyond a normal summer day. The lessons do not occur on the weekends and they are over in the afternoon. As a consequence, many of the working neighbors will probably never even see any of the associated activity. If any of the neighbors wish to talk to us about this, we are available to speak to them. We believe this swim school business is actually providing a public service by offering an opportunity for small children to become water safe and, therefore, is a benefit to our neighborhood and the surrounding area. Bob and Chris Hoffman 8822 Midbury Dr. 7147-964-1539 1 Schle el, David From: Patricia Barba [pbarbal©yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 8:58 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber sWIM saCHOOL David, I am writing you in support of Amber Swim School/Business License. My daughter has been taking swim classes the past three years with Amber in her home. I had my daughter in swim classes before at the Hunting Beach City Gym. They had too many students and my daughter was not learning to swim. Once my daughter started classes with Amber, she learned very quickly. I am continuing swimming classes with Amber so that she can become an expert swimmer. There is no parking problems at her home as we parked in her driveway. The only noise was the instructor teaching the students. The kids playing on the street were more noisier. Amber is an asset to Huntington Beach and it would be a tremendous loss if she is unable to run her swim school from home. Please contact me if you would like to discuss matter further. Hector Barba 714-274-9808 1 Schle el, David From: Heather Johnston [hlitus@msn.com] Sent: Friday, January 25, 2013 8:54 AM To: amberbaltzer@gmail.com; Schlegel, David Subject: Amber Swim School Hello, I am writing you to let you know that having swimm lessons for my son in our neighborhood has been a wonderful and valued experience. I have never even heard any noise from the front of the house when entering. The first time, I wondered if I had the correct house. I sit through my son's classes and it is a very pleasant time. 1. I can watch, read or do work if I need to do so (I do this on my work from home days). 2. We can walk. 3. When drive there is room to park in the driveway. 4. There are only 2 lessons going on at one time so things are calm. 5. The teachers are experienced, patient and great with children. My son was nervous so she calmly sang with my son to make him comfortable while teaching him. 6. Since the lessons are one-on-one, he gets the full attention and actually learns better than in the group lessons. We tried the ones at the city pool but he didn't learn much since it was too distracting. 7. More closely resembles swimming in a backyard pool which is where he will swim when not in lessons. 8 The hours are during the day when most people are at work anyway so there isn't a disturbance. Moffett Elementary creates traffic. Please allow Amber to keep her school in our neighborhood. It was successful at the other house and I see no reason why it should be any different here. Now she has a 3 car driveway which is even better. I really value this environment for my son. Thank you for your understanding and time. Heather Litus Johnson 20072 Gothic Circle Huntington Beach, CA 92646 1 Schle el, David From: julie Oulieb@socal.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 10:18 PM To: Schlegel, David; Amber Baltzer Subject: Amber's Swim School Mr. Schlegel, I am a mother of four children. We have been taking swim lessons from Amber's Swim School for 6 years. It is the greatest school, and my children look forward to it every summer. I just had another baby and when she is old enough I was hoping she could go to Amber's school also. Unfortunately, because of some of her new neighbors, this may not happen. They just have the wrong idea. I don't believe that her swim school would affect the neighborhood negatively. Whenever I have taken my children to lessons at her house there was plenty of parking. It has NEVER caused traffic on the street, and never been an issue finding parking. Sometimes my car would be the only one parked on the street because she lets her students park on the driveway. Lessons are during the work week, and finished at 4:00 I believe. The streets are always wide open. Amber is the nicest person, and so are her instructors. They have helped teach my children to be great swimmers in a comfortable, loving environment. The water can be very frightening to some children. I am a chid development major, and I believe it is better for children to learn to swim in a nice, warm, backyard pool, than in a large, cold, intimidating pool at a club with strangers watching. Children will learn much faster when they feel safe. Something unique about Amber's school is that she teaches special needs children, including visually impaired and autistic children. It would be challenging for all those families to have to find a new school to go to when they are so happy with Amber's school. Living in Huntington Beach we need to keep our children safe because the ocean is so close and such a big part of our lives. Please don't deny hundreds of children Amber's wonderful services, and force us to find another place for swim lessons. Thank you, Julie Beutler 1 Schle el, David From: David Morrison [traemorrison@verizon.net] Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 4:26 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: amber's swim school Dear Mr. Schlegel, I am writing to your on behalf of Amber's Swim School. I am a mother of 2 children who have been involved with her program for 3 years. My youngest, my son started swim lessons with the city programs, but after 5 sessions with the program, he still could not swim. No fault of the instructors, he was just petrified of the water. My girlfriend suggested I try private lessons and referred me to Amber's Swim School. From the end of his first lesson, I noticed a huge change in his perception of swimming. He didn't see it as a punishment and there were no more tears. Swimming was now fun for him, it was something he looked forward to and, for me, it was and is a survival skill that is completely necessary. The instructors are amazing, caring and so knowledgeable of swim techniques and safety. I cannot say enough about how grateful I am to have found this program. What Amber offers is an accredited swim program. It is not a play date for kids. The instructors are there for a reason and that is to teach a child how to swim in a non-stressful environment. It is a 20 min. lesson for 2 students at a time only and there is no time for veering off schedule. In the time that I have been with Amber's Swim School, I have never experienced a traffic issue in the neighborhood. I am looking forward to many more years with Amber's program. Thank you for your time, Tami Morrison 1 Schle el, David From: Rachel S [printsmarin@hotmail.com) Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2013 6:23 AM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber Swim School Dear Mr. Schlegel, I am writing in support of Amber Swim School. For the past several summers, my son has participated in the one-on-one instruction Amber Swim School provides. With no more than two to three children in the pool at any given time, her small, simple program quickly builds confidence and competence in a life-saving skill from which all children prosper. I ask that you welcome Amber Swim School, with open arms, into our community. We need thoughtful buisnesses dedicated to improving the well-being of our children. If you have any questions or would like to know more about my family's experience with Amber Swim School, please do not hesitate to contact me at (714) 593-3928. Thank you for your time and consideration of such a worthy business. My best, Rachel Somoano 1 Schle el, David From: Lauren Bond [Iubond84@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2013 10:59 AM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Re: Amber's swim school David Schlegel, Last summer my two year old daughter learned to swim at Amber's swim school. I'd highly recommend her swim school to anyone. Each class we attended included two instructors who taught one student per 20 min. session. The quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the pool gave a positive influence to my daughter's swimming experience. I never worried about parking because there was only one or two other vehicles parked in Ambers driveway or the surrounding street spaces. I truly hope the city allows Amber's swim school to continue operating. It would truly be a huge disappointment to my family and many other families if we didn't have the opportunity to be apart of such an influential program. Thanks, Lauren Marshall 1 Schle el, David From: Ariane McClellan [annabelle_h_2001 @yahoo.com] :25 PMSent: Friday, January 25, 2013 8:i 5' To: Schlegel, David Subject: Ambers swim school David I want you to know that Amber runs a great business and she is very cautious of everyone around her and would never start something that would affect her neighbors. First off most of the time the kids have their faces in the water so there is no increased noise, second parking is never an issue there is normally on one maybe two cars at a time. We have never had issues with parking in this neighborhood. We own in HB and feel Ambers swim school is a great asset to the city. Please loosen up and let her do the school how she needs to run it best. Thanks fellow HB citizen Ariane Mcclellan Sent from Annie Mcclellan 1 Schle el, David From: Helen Ritter [hritter3@verizon.net] Sent: Friday, January 25, 2013 2:54 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim School Mr. Schlegel, I am writing to clarify details about 'Amber's Swim School' located in the Moffett tract of Huntington Beach. I understand Amber Baltzer is applying for a business license because she is changing addresses in that neighborhood, and there has been some misunderstanding about the level of activity associated with her business. My two oldest children, Danny and Maddy Ritter, have both been instructors at Amber's Swim School for the past two (in Danny's case) and three (in Maddy's case) summers. There were never more than two instructors in the pool at one time, and every lesson is private, so there were also never more than two students in the pool at one time. The lessons were held every 20 minutes, so there is some overlap when students were arriving for the next lesson before the previous students had left, but obviously, that didn't make for a tremendous amount of traffic in the neighborhood. The lessons were held from 1 Oam until 4pm, Monday- Friday. These jobs for my children have been a huge blessing to our family - both children are able to contribute a significant portion of their college expenses each year because of the income they make at this summer job. They were paid according to the registration for the classes, but both of them were busy all day long, every day that they worked, because of the popularity of the classes. I am hoping that the school will continue so that my third child, Nathan, will also have the opportunity of working at Amber's Swim School! Thank very much for your consideration, Helen Ritter 1207 Alabama Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714-960-6034 1 Schle el, David From: Kevin and Sandie Justen [kjusten@verizon.net] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 7:18 AM To: Schlegel, David Subject: AMBER'S SWIM SCHOOL Mr. David Schlegel: Project Planner City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA 92648 SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF BUSINESS LICENSE FOR AMBER'S SWIM SCHOOL Dear Mr. Schlegel: I am writing regarding the consideration of approval of a business license for Amber's Swim School (Administrative Permit 13-001 Project Address: 8692 Rath, Business License number; A264371). For a number of years both my children attended this school. It was very convenient since they were my next door neighbors (I reside at 8861 Midbury Drive). The Baltzer family was excellent neighbors, responsible business owners, and their swim school was not disruptive to our neighborhood at all. Best of all, both my children became water safe and excellent swimmers through this school. I would add that my daughter, Marissa, became a member of the Edison High School Swim Team. My son, David, is now an active participant in Special Olympics swimming. He has Down Syndrome and thanks to Amber's Swim School is now an excellent swimmer and loves the sport. Specific to any concerns regarding traffic or parking, the business owners were very careful in their scheduling and management of the business to make sure that there were no adverse impacts to the neighborhood. At no time during the five years the school was open did we experience any inconvenience due to it being next door, nor did we observe any problems related to parking or traffic increases. In closing I would add that numerous families have benefited greatly from Amber's Swim School. This includes many with handicapped children since she specializes in this area. I sincerely hope you will approve the business license for Amber's Swim School. If you have any questions, please feel to call me at any time on my cell phone at (714) 392- 3444. Sincerely, Kevin Justen 8861 Midbury Drive Huntington Beach, CA 92646 1 Schle el, David From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Jennifer Cassity [jennifer.cassity@gmail.com] on behalf of Jennifer Cassity [Jennifer@fbaengineers.com] Tuesday, January 22, 2013 8:41 PM Schlegel, David 'Amber Baltzer' Amber Baltzer David and the City of Huntington Beach, I am writing you in regards to a request from Amber Baltzer to continue "Amber's Swim School" at her new address in the Moffett tract of Huntington Beach. My son has been enrolled in her swim school over the past 2 summers. We are indebted to Amber and her swim instructors for their wonderful swim program and their contribution to the community. I hope and pray that the City of Huntington Beach will allow her to continue her business at her new residence. The atmosphere at Amber's backyard swim lessons was always quiet, focused on teaching water safety, pleasant, and in no way disruptive. Parking was never an issue and we just parked in front of their house. It never seemed like there were a large amount of cars around her house or driving around her neighborhood. The side gate was always open, and we just walked back to the pool. Amber and her swim instructors were always very courteous, respectful, and patient. It is a business run by a very caring family, who are providing swim lessons to children in a way which really worked for my son. We live on Regal Circle in the Moffett tract and my son also goes to Moffett Elementary. Amber's swim school is part of our neighborhood and part of our community. Please let her continue to provide quality swim lessons to kids in our community! Thanks so much, Jennifer Cassity 1 Schle el, David From: Kristy Haight [kristy.haight@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 8:40 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim School City of HB, I have recently heard that my child's swim school is having a hard time getting licensing and that problems are occurring. This makes me so sad! My children have gone to this amazing swim school for 2 years and they love it! They get one on one time with qualified teachers who love what they do and it shows! My children were petrified of the water and now love to swim and get excited to see their swim teachers each summer. One of the teachers who taught swim was a mother herself. She is a stay at home mom who was able to sub for teachers when they were I'll or on vacation. How great that she was able to make some money while still caring for her family and living with her family! I find it so strange that the instructors need to live at the swim school residence. Are nannies required to live at the home where they work? Does my babysitter need to live with me even though she may only come over to watch my kids once a week? Please carefully consider the regulations that you are asking of Amber and hopefully neighbors will understand that noise will not be a problem. The swim school will definitely be quieter than the elementary school across the street. We love Amber's Swim School and hope that this summer the classes will be able to continue as planned! She has the best prices and the most qualified instructors. I won't take my business anywhere else! Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Kristy Haight 1 Schle el, David From: Tram Mai [maitrammi@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:29 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim school To Whom It May Concern: I am a parent who was looking for affordable, private swim lessons for my kids over the last summer and happened to stumble upon Amber's Swim School. I felt so lucky to have found a place that was in the neighborhood with great instructors. I have only praise for this company and feel that the city of Huntington Beach and surrounding neighbors that utilize the swim school would suffer a great loss if Amber were not allowed to run the school as she has been running it for the last six years. I live in the neighborhood and I never felt that the school was in any way intrusive to her neighbors or that there was much change in street traffic because of the school. Everyone that I met, whether it be Amber, her swim instructors, or the parents and kids who utilized the school were always courteous and mindful of the neighborhood and neighbors around the school. I had planned on enrolling my kids again for this summer and it would be disappointing to lose this neighborhood treasure. Please, please, please, give her the chance to run the school as she has been running it. I am sure that she relies on the income that the school generates and that her instructors rely on the income that they earn for the summer. Thank you, Tram Bresnan Sent from my iPhone 1 Schle el, David From: Matt and Christine Mills [themerrymills@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:44 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim school Dear Mr. Schlegel, I am writing in support of Amber's Swim School in Huntington Beach which my children attended last summer (2012). I was referred to her school by my sister-in-law whose kids had taken lessons several years before mine and I in return have referred her school to many parents looking for quality one-on-one instruction. She has excellent instructors that have been teaching with her for several years. My kids learned more in two days than they did in two weeks in group lessons. The safety and quality is worth the private lessons and it's nice to not have to regularly put your kids into a public pool that is overpowered with large amounts of chlorine. I just wanted to verify that only 2 students take lessons at any given time and often times (like in my case) I had my kids' lessons back to back. I saw other parents doing the same so often times the turn over during the day isn't as quick as one kid in and one kid out. These are families coming and staying for a couple of lessons. Most of the time I was able to park right in front of her house and not in front of any neighbors and although two families could potentially be leaving and two families be coming around the same time most of the time I was coming and going by myself. Families are early, late, no shows, and sometimes they take a while to gather their belongings and get out to their car. There was no parade of cars in and out at the passing of each lesson period. Further the lessons begin after most neighborhood morning traffic has left for work/school and ends before most people would be returning from work. I have a neighbor that does private tutoring and music lessons out of her home and she likes to keep the curb area in front of her home open for those students to park. The rest of us neighbors are respectful of this and help her out. It's no big deal. Unless one is coming and going from their home several times in an afternoon you would never even know that those music students have come and gone several times throughout the afternoon. I'm in my home and can't hear the cars (although I occasionally hear some good music). The lessons themselves are very quiet because the two students are fully engaged in their lesson and don't get much of a chance to breath let alone talk. And the parents are very zoned in on watching their kids learn this monumental life skill that it's not like we sit there and talk that whole time making it sound like a pool party is going on everyday. It's very focused yet mellow. Amber's Swim School has great value in the community and really operates a short time of the year for short hours and I would think (like in the case with my neighbor) with little notice to the neighborhood. Sincerely, Christine Mills HB Resident 714 842-8209 1 Schle el, David From: Sharlene Heard [sheard@broadcom.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:59 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Ambers Swim School in HB David, I am writing to let you know that having Amber's Swim School has really benefited my special needs boys. Through the love and patience of the swim instructors my boys have learned how to swim and love swimming. There are not many sports that my boys are interested in and I truly value having this extracurricular activity available to my boys in the summer. I hope that you will allow her school to continue to operate. The process is very efficient - your arrive at your designated time, your children have their lesson and then you leave. She is very organized. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thanks, Sharlene 1 Schle el, David From: Taylor Yurada [tayyy@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 6:18 AM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber Swim School HB To whom it may concern, My son has attended Amber swim school the last two years and it is an amazing experience for him and myself. It is a small private business that allows my child one on one swimming lessons in a quiet peaceful home. Every time I pull up to Ambers house for a lesson there is a spot to park in front of her home for me and as we walk up the house I always feel like I am the first person there. You can't even here the previous lesson happening. Please let this experience continue for my child. We love the swim school for its uniqueness and quality! Thanks so much, Taylor Uffelman Ta ahoo.com 1 Schle el, David From: anonion@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 10:50 PM To: Schlegel, David Cc: amberbaltzer@gmail.com Subject: Re: Amber Swim school I am writing in response to some of the complaints regarding the Amber swim School. This was an amazing class for my daughter. I look forward to putting her in the class again next summer. The classes are only 1/2 hour long. There was never an issue with finding parking when we would go. As we were arriving someone was probably leaving. There were never cars parked all along the street. The kids were never loud. In fact, with the sound of the water it was very relaxing to sit in the sun and watch the class. I have neighbors that do not offer swim class but they have teenagers that have friends coming and going constantly. When the parents are out of town, which is often, they have parties and leave messes on our street. I would trade them for a swim school neighbor any day. When I heard about the issues Amber Swim School was having with getting their license, it sounded completely ridiculous to me. It would be a real shame if the strain you are putting on them caused them to cancel summer classes. Thank you, Dana Mother of a swimmer 1 Schle el, David From: Greg Sanfilippo [gsanfilippo©socal.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 8:28 AM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber Baltzer's Swim School Hi David- Just a short email to let you know that all of this hoopla over Amber's swim school is total nonsense. I had my child there last summer and there was NEVER any traffic issues, nor could you even tell there was a swim school at her residence unless you knew about it. No noise, no parking issues of any kind. Give the lady a break and let her run her business without all of these ridiculous restrictions, better yet...why not check it out for yourself instead of just "hearing complaints" Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have. Thanks from a very happy parent because of Amber and her staff. Greg Sanfilippo 1 • Schle el, David From: Stephanie Graney [beckysrh@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 8:14 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim School Hi David. I'm contacting you in support of Amber's Swim School. My family are huge fans and when I asked other moms in the area who they recommended - everyone said Amber. We love her school because it is small and individual. One-on-one attention is so great vs. the large classes where the kids barely get any direction. We attended Amber's school all last summer. We never saw a parking problem, there were only 1 or 2 cars on the street any given lesson. We also never saw a traffic problem, or even heard noise from her pool. We truly would hate to see anything happen to her business - for her sake and for the sake of all the kids learning from her and her wonderful teachers. We are planning on taking lessons again this season and look forward to attending her school for years to come. Fondly, Stephanie Graney HB Resident 714-263-6780 Ua ola loko i ka aloha Love gives life within 1 Schle el, David From: Nicole Miller [nicolemiller@socal.rr.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 1:47 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim School Dear Mr. Schlegel, I am writing to offer support and praise for Amber's Swim School. The main reasons I appreciate and recommend the school are: the calm learning atmosphere, supportive and professional instructors and the cost of private lessons. The learning atmosphere is significantly different from typical summer swim programs. Amber's swim school just has two children at a time in the pool, one - on- one with each instructor. Often times, children cant make it, so it is one child in the pool. We always parked right in front of Amber's house, there was never any street congestion or issues. Finally the hours are limited to 10:00 am to 4:00pm, 6 hours. Many times I see homes with construction being done on the house, 7 am until 6 pm- all summer, loud machines, huge trucks, noisy workers. It almost seems silly, because the school has got to be the quietest, most respectful operation. The instructors are well educated, giving and professional. They have a true gift with the children and care. I appreciated their patience and compassion with my boys. They follow the American Red Cross standards, and are amazing. I am a stay at home mother with two young sons. Private swim lessons are extremely expensive, especially for enrolling two children simultaneously. Obviously the skill of knowing how to swim is a necessity, especially in our area, so swim schools get away with charging exorbitant fees. Amber's swim school is cost effective while not compromising quality. The situation Amber is facing right now truly is a shame. She runs an honest business, provides employment for smart, giving members of our community, and provides a service that is a gift to be able to do, a life skill - to swim. People are often scared of what they do not know about, it sounds to me that the opposition to the swim school stems from ignorance. If they did know how the school was run, there would not be an issue. Amber's Swim School provides a great service to so many children, so many families.. .who desire a safe, loving, calm and affordable place to learn. Sincerely, Nicole Miller 1 Schle el, David From: Lara Voloshin [Ivoloshin@hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 4:35 AM To: Schlegel, David Cc: amberbaltzer@gmail.com Subject: Amber Baltzer Swim School Importance: High Mr. Schlegel, Our children have been attending Amber's Swim School for 3 years now, and we don't want to see it go away. It is an amazing school for so many of Huntington Beach's children, with highly qualified instructors, a quiet environment where little ones can listen (not like in a big indoor facility with kids playing all around, where it makes any kind of attention difficult), and a mutually respectful clientele. Parking was always easy to find (there are only 2 children in the pool during a swim lesson), and Ms. Baltzer has things set up in such an organized fashion that we hardly even have to talk! It would be a pity to lose such a valuable asset to our community, its families, and most of all, its children. Sincerely Yours, Lara Baronnet-Voloshin 19392 Weymouth Lane Huntington Beach, CA 92646 1 Schle el, David From: Zoe Seals [zcseals@gmail.comj Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 12:49 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber Baltzer's Swim School Dear David, My family lives near the new location for Amber Baltzer's Swim School currently under construction and has used her services at the previous swim school location. Amber's Swim School is a well-run, professional organization and will not be a problem for her new neighbors. The location under construction will include a three car driveway which will provide sufficient parking for employees and/or clients so as not to impact the surrounding area. Amber's Swim School provides a valuable service to the community which is a benefit, not a detriment to the neighborhood. Thank you and best regards, Zoe Seals 8791 Gallant Drive Huntington Beach, CA 92646 Zoe Seals Animation, Technology and Graphic Arts Instructor Edison High School zseals hbuhsd.edu (714) 962-1356 x4230 1 Schle el, David From: Jane [hbmamaof3@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 9:15 AM To: Schlegel, David; Amber Baltzer Subject: Amber's swim school To Whom It May Concern: I am writing this letter regarding Amber's Swim School in Huntington Beach. I have participated in Amber's Swim School several years in a row and I have always found it to be quiet and professional. I also live in the Moffett tract on Meander Lane which I'm guessing people will be using to access her school. I don't feel this will have a negative impact on our neighborhood. Jane Grundman Sent from my iPhone 1 Schle el, David From: Kristi Manthome [tkthom@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 9:24 AM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim School Dear David, I want to send an email in support of Amber's Swim School. All three of our girls have learned to swim with her. Our youngest is needs to work on her swim skills and I can not imagine not being able to have her swim with Amber. Every lesson there are two children in the pool and it is very personable, calm, and quiet in her backyard. I always park in her driveway or in front of her house for our twenty minute swim lesson. It always seemed like I was the only one at her house when we arrived. It would be wonderful to see her continue this positive business in our community. Learning to swim is so important especially with the large number of drownings each year. I support Amber's Swim School and I hope the city and neighbors will be convinced. Thank You, Kristi Manthorne 1 Schle el, David From: Dana Mullin [dana.Ibc@verizon.net] Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 12:14 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim School Dear David Schlegel, I am writing in regards to the new location of Amber's Swim School. My son attended her swim school during the summers of 2010 and 2011. I also plan to have my daughter enroll in swim lessons this summer. I'll start off by saying that my family and friends absolutely love this swim school! I have never experienced or heard anything negative about her school. We especially love this school because it provides a loving and affordable way to teach our children to swim. During my visits to the school, Amber Baltzer has always been very professional and courteous. I especially noticed how courteous and friendly she is to her neighbors. In fact, during one of my son's lessons, I visited with her next door neighbor, while her son also took a swim lesson. Her next door neighbor had very nice things to say about the Baltzer Family and their swim school. I also believe that it speaks in volume when a neighbor's son would attend the swim school next door. I also never noticed any traffic or parking issues while attending my son's lessons. There was usually only 2 cars parked on the street at a time. Amber also allowed students to park in her driveway. I really hope that this email helps Amber have less restrictions on her new location. I believe that if you would ask her old neighbors, they would agree that the swim school was never problematic. I suggest giving Amber the same restrictions that came with her old location, and then enforcing new restrictions, only if there are issues. Thank you for your time. Should you have questions, please contact me at the telephone number below. Sincerely, Dana Mullin 714-969-1021 1 Schle el, David From: Tamra Searle [blamra@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 12:47 PM To: Schlegel, David Cc: Amber Baltzer Subject: Amber's Swim School Hello Mr. Schlegel, My name is Tamra Searle. I am a former resident of Huntington Beach and patron of Amber's Swim School. I have two children that benefited from the swim school. On the mater of traffic, I never once noticed unsafe parking, driving, or general chaos due to the swim school. I was very grateful to have my children receive such wonderful instruction from skilled and caring instructors. Amber's Swim School is extremely well run and organized. It would be a travesty to deprive the community from its benefit. If you have any specific questions that I could help to answer, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Thank you for your time, Tamra Searle (949)355-2062 1 Schle el, David From: Kristina Savage [babysavo@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 8:41 AM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim School Hello- I am writing as a past parent of Amber's swim school. Both of my children spent 2 years each being taught in her backyard. Amber's method is phenomenal & both of my kids are incredible swimmers because of her! ! We send all of our friends & family to her program!!! With that being said, she runs a program that is not loud by any means. It is very calm & her instructors are outstanding. If a child has a hard time & cries, her instructors are excellent with children & are able to redirect them. Parking was never a chore, as there were always 2 swimmers going in & 2 leaving. We either parked in her driveway or on the street. All parents, including myself were always careful not to park in others driveways, or block neighbors. We also have our own children & drive carefully through her neighborhood to get there being aware of others in the neighborhood. I am floored that her new neighbors would even have a problem, before they even spend a summer with Amber's program. They should be ashamed of themselves for not even giving her the opportunity before judging it. Believe me if parking were a problem, we would not have spent 4 summers there, 3-4 times a week. Finally, I feel it is ridiculous to even ask her to house her instructors. What business requires an owner to house her employees? I think this is plain wrong. Whomever is making up these rules needs to really think about how silly they are. The neighbors need to just give it a chance before they get crazy. Amber does the citizens of Huntington Beach a favor by producing an amazing program to keep our children water/swim safe. We need more "backyard" programs like hers to keep our kids safe! Thank you for your consideration in this matter! Sincerely, Kristina Savage (Trevor & Taylor's mom) Bab savo ahoo.com Sent from my iPhone 1 Schle el, David From: eweiner25@aol.com Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 9:41 AM To: Schlegel, David Cc: amberbaltzer@gmail.com Subject: Amber's Swim School To whom is may concern, In addition to living behind Amber's swim school for 6 years, both of my sons have benefited from this great school. The noise and the activity level is commensurate with living in this Moffett school neighborhood. Traffic within the housing tract is no greater than an average day regardless of when the swim school is in session. I have never heard a negative thing about the school. It is a staple in our neighborhood. I really hope this swim school opens again this summer. Many children and families benefit tremendously from this swim school. Sincerely, Elysia Weiner 1 Schie el, David From: Kevin and Sandie Justen [kjusten@verizon.net] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 8:41 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: APPROVAL OF BUSINESS LICENSE FOR AMBER'S SWIM SCHOOL Mr. David Schlegel: Project Planner City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Dear Mr. Schlegel: I am writing regarding the consideration of approval of a business license for Amber's Swim School (Administrative Permit 13-001 Project Address: 8692 Rath, Business License number; A264371). My house is located next door to the previous Amber's SwimSchool. There has been no issue with parking. Their house had a 2-car garage and a driveway that fit another 2 cars. They only provide swim lessons to 2 students at a time. Since the school is a backyard pool, the students' families know that they have to shower their kids at home so they leave immediately after the lesson which allows the next student to park. From my understanding, the swim school's new location will have a 3 car garage and driveway that will fit 3 cars which offers even more parking space. I did not find having them next door disruptive at all. I sent my son with special needs for swim lessons to Amber's SwimSchool since they are one of the few schools that offer effective teaching methods for disabled children. From what I have observed (and from my own experience), the kids learn better in this small home pool where they get one-on-one attention in a calmer and less busy environment versus the huge franchise swim schools which can be overstimulating. Amber caters to several children who are RegionalCenter clients (I have referred this swim school to my son's case manager and she reports that the parents have been very happy with their service). I feel that all kids should be pool-safe but especially the ones with special needs since they carry a higher risk due to their poor safety judgment. Amber's SwimSchool offers an important service to our community. I sincerely hope you will approve the business license for Amber's SwimSchool. Please feel free to call me if you need more information. Sincerely, Sandie 3usten 8861 Midbury Drive Huntington Beach, CA 92646 714-378-8920 •1 Schle el, David From: Amber Baltzer [amberbaltzer@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 7:48 PM To: CBixby Cc: Schlegel, David Subject: Re: Amber's Swim School Here you go. Thank you! David Schlegel <david.schle el surfci -hb.or > On Jan 28, 2013, at 3:50 PM, CBixby wrote: Can you confirm Mr. Schlegel's email it was returned undeliverable. I do want to make sure he gets this. Christine Sent from my iPhone On Jan 28, 2013, at 14:26, "Amber Baltzer" <amberbaltzer mail.com> wrote: Thank You so much Christine. I know that this email will really help! Sincerely, Amber On Jan 28, 2013, at 10:28 AM, Christine Bixby wrote: Dear Mr. Schlegel, I am a parent of two children that have benefitted from the wonderful swim lessons at Amber's Swim School. We have had our lessons with them for the last two years and have seen wonderful improvement in our children. The striking thing about these lessons is how quiet and calm things are. The two kids receiving lessons are markedly much quieter than children playing in the pool. Another unique aspect of the lessons is that you wouldn't know there are lessons happening at the house at all. I remember the first time I came to bring my children to the lesson and wasn't even sure that I was in the right place. There are only 1-2 cars there and usually in the driveway. If you would like my opinion, the neighborhood does not seem to be impacted at all by these lessons and as a Mom and Physician (I am a Pediatrician) there should be more swim lessons like these that are calm and about the child finding success and safety in the pool in such a calm and supportive fashion. Huntington Beach is very lucky to have such a swim school and the city should definitely support this organization. Should you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact me at cbixb choc.or or via telephone 562-773-7490 (cell). Sincerely, Christine Bixby, M.D. 1 Division of Neonatology CHOC Children's Specialists CHOCLX-MGSM made the following annotations Mon Jan 28 2013 10:28:31 This email message and any files transmitted are sent with confidentiality in mind and contain privileged or copyright information. You must not present this message to another party without gaining permission from the sender. If you are not the intended recipient you must not copy, distribute or use this email or the information contained in it for any purpose other than to notify Children's Hospital of Orange County. Any views expressed in this message are those of the sender, except where the sender specifically states them to be the views of Children's Hospital of Orange County. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately, and delete this email from your system. We do not guarantee that this material is free from viruses or any other defects although due care has been taken to minimize the risk. 2 Schle el, David From: Amber Baltzer [amberbaltzer©gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:17 PM To: Kevin and Sandie Justen Cc: Schlegel, David Subject: Re: Swim School drama... I need your help! Kevin, This is perfect! Title: David Schlegel, Project Planner (714)536-5253 Entitlement: Administrative Permit 13-001 Project Address: 8692 Rath Business License number; A264371 Thank you so much for all your love and support! we REALLY miss you guys as neighbors! David Schlegel <david.schle el surfcit -hb.or > On Jan 22, 2013, at 7:47 PM, Kevin and Sandie Justen wrote: > AMBER: > HERE'S MY PROPOSED LETTER. I NEED HIS TITLE TO COMPLETE IT AND I CAN GET IT TOMORROW AT WORK. > KEVIN > Mr. David Schlegel: > Title > City of Huntington Beach > 2000 Main Street > Huntington Beach, CA 92648 > SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF BUSINESS LICENSE FOR AMBER'S SWIM SCHOOL > Dear Mr. Schlegel: > I am writing regarding the consideration of approval of a business license for Amber's Swim School (current business license number XXXX). > For a number of years both my children attended this school. It was very convenient since they were my next door neighbors (I reside at 8861 Midbury Drive). > The Baltzer family were excellent neighbors, responsible business owners, and their swim school was not disruptive to our neighborhood at all. Best of all, both my children became water safe and excellent swimmers through this school. > I would add that my daughter, Marissa, became a member of the Edison High School Swim Team. My son, David, is now an active participant in Special Olympics swimming. He has Down Syndrome and thanks to Amber's Swim School is now an excellent swimmer and loves the sport. 1 > In closing I would add that numerous families have benefited greatly from Amber's Swim School. This includes many with handicapped children since she specializes in this area. > I sincerely hope you will approve the business license for Amber's swim School. > If you have any questions, please feel to call me on my cell phone at (714) 392-3444. > Sincerely, > Kevin Justen > 8861 Midbury Drive > Huntington Beach, CA 92646 > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Amber Baltzer <amberbaltzer@gmail.com> > To: Baltzer Amber <amberbaltzer@gmail.com> > Cc: > Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 4:41 PM > Subject: Swim School drama... I need your help! > HI Friends, swimmers, neighbors, etc. > I have been dealing with the city for the last 2 months trying to get my swim school's business license address changed to my new address. Thought it was not going to be a big deal.. right? Since this business has been running in this same neighborhood for 6 years. > Well apparently I moved out of the "leave it to beaver" part of the neighborhood... where everyone is amazing. I LOVED my old neighbors and never had a problem with any of them. Now I am already having problems with my new neighbors and i haven't even moved in. They are complaining about the swim school and have no clue what they are even complaining about. So the city is being really really REALLY difficult. > I talked to the person about my business license case and he said it would be helpful to hear from OLD NEIGHBORS and SWIM STUDENTS. > They are letting me run the swim school they are just putting major > restrictions .. one being my instructors have to live with me ?? > Weird... but ok. The other one has to do with parking and traffic. > They think my swim school will cause to much traffic and parking > issues in the neighborhood. I have told them over and over that i Have > a 3 car driveway now and there are only 2 cars at a time there so it > will not be a problem. But they just do not believe me. So he told me > that if they got lots of emails it would help my case in having less > restrictions; > SO PLEASE HELP!!! If you are a parent of a swim student and love our swim school... let the city know. Let them know why my swim school is unique in HB and why you attend. let them know how you feel about the noise and the traffic in the area. > IF you are a neighbor OR know my neighbors emails (send this to them). They want to know how the traffic and parking is. And how is having a swim school in your neighborhood effected you? 2 • > **** and if you have met my kids then you know that my KIDS are WAY louder and crazier then the swim school.... let the city know!!! > I WOULD LOVE YOUR HELP!! > email: david schle el surfcit -hb.or > Love, > Amber > *** we will for sure see you in the summer... even if my instructors have to live with me! 3 Schle el, David From: Jen Schumann [jenschumann@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:11 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim School in HB - Moffett Tract Hello David: I am writing this email on behalf of Amber Baltzer, who runs a local swim school. My children have taken swim lessons from Amber for the past few years and I live in the neighborhood as well. There is no cause for parking and traffic concerns. Amber's school has only two lessons taught at a time, so only two cars are there at any one time. Many families have two children taking lessons back to back, so at times, there may be only one car there. There is sufficient room in Amber's new driveway to accommodate the vehicles of the students. There is no noise problem, and the hours are reasonable. Thank you, Jen Schumann 714.585.8884 1 Schle el, David From: Catherine Miller [hbmillerfam©gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:01 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Fwd: Ambers swim school David- Please see email below. Thank you, Catherine Miller Begin forwarded message: From: Catherine Miller <hbmillerfam mail.com> Subject: Ambers swim school Date: January 22, 2013 7:47:51 PM PST To: "schle el surfcit -hb.or " <schle el surfcit -hb.or > To whom it may concern: My 2 boys attended Ambers swim school from 2009-2011. Being a mother of 2 young children it was impossible to do mommy and me swim lessons. I needed 1 on 1 swimming instruction so I could watch my other child out of the pool. And living so close to the beach it was necessary for my children to learn to swim at a young age. Ambers swim school was the perfect choice as it met those needs. Ambers swim school is priced very affordable and with the individual attention of private lessons my boys learned to swim quickly and are now both strong swimmers. I have talked to many friends who's children did group lessons and their children were learning at a much slower pace and had to do lessons for more summers. The instructors are great with the kids and because it's private lessons they can tailor the instruction to each child. This is very effective instruction. The parking was never a problem. There was always lots of room on the street. Because there are only a couple of lessons going at a time, there were no traffic issues. The parents were very mindful of speed and were cautious in the track as they have children themselves. The lessons were easy to schedule and I was able to schedule them any way I wanted. I was not bound by a specific weekly swim schedule which allowed us to take family vacation without missing a lesson we had paid for. My experience was so wonderful at ambers swim school that I refer them to anyone looking for swim lessons for their children. If ambers swim school was not allowed to continue it would be a detriment to the safety of our Huntington Beach children. If I was not able to do private lessons for my children I might have put off lessons a year or so. This would have caused a greater risk for my children at the beach and in the pool. And how many others may do the same thing? Please consider renewing their business license for the safety of the children. 1 Catherine Miller A BB resident and mother of 2 2 Schle el, David From: Christine Bixby [cbixby@CHOC.ORG] Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 6:11 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim School Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: "Christine Bixby" <cbixb CHOC.ORG> Date: January 28, 2013, 10:28:22 PST To: schle el surfci -hb.or Subject: Amber's Swim School Dear Mr. Schlegel, I am a parent of two children that have benefitted from the wonderful swim lessons at Amber's Swim School. We have had our lessons with them for the last two years and have seen wonderful improvement in our children. The striking thing about these lessons is how quiet and calm things are. The two kids receiving lessons are markedly much quieter than children playing in the pool. Another unique aspect of the lessons is that you wouldn't know there are lessons happening at the house at all. I remember the first time I came to bring my children to the lesson and wasn't even sure that I was in the right place. There are only 1-2 cars there and usually in the driveway. If you would like my opinion, the neighborhood does not seem to be impacted at all by these lessons and as a Mom and Physician (I am a Pediatrician) there should be more swim lessons like these that are calm and about the child finding success and safety in the pool in such a calm and supportive fashion. Huntington Beach is very lucky to have such a swim school and the city should definitely support this organization. Should you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact me at cbixb choc.or or via telephone 562-773-7490 (cell). Sincerely, Christine Bixby, M.D. Division of Neonatology CHOC Children's Specialists CHOCLX-MGSM made the following annotations --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mon Jan 28 2013 10:28:31 This email message and any files transmitted are sent with confidentiality in mind and contain privileged or copyright information. You must not present this message to another party without gaining permission from the sender. If you are not the intended recipient you must not copy, distribute or use this email or the information contained in it for any purpose other than to notify Children's Hospital of Orange County. Any views expressed in this message are those of the sender, except where the sender specifically states them to be the views of Children's Hospital of Orange County. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately, and delete this email from your system. We do not guarantee that this material is free from viruses or any other defects although due care has been 1 taken to minimize the risk. 2 Schle el, David From: Gustafson Family [gusbus@verizon.net] Sent: Friday, January 25, 2013 2:28 PM To: Schlegel, David Cc: 'Amber Baltzer Subject: Amber Baltzer's Swimming School Dear Mr. Schlegel: I understand that Mrs. Amber Baltzer has changed residencies here in Huntington Beach and she is in the process of securing a business license to operate a swimming school during the summer. May I please express my support for her school? My wife, Carla, and I have a nine year-old special-needs son, Darin. Darin started having epileptic seizures at age three. His neurologist diagnosed Darin with micro epilepsy. His disease has impacted the development of his brain. We have his seizures controlled with medications, but he is far behind in development compared to normal children his age. He attends the special-needs class at Newland Elementary School. At age nine he is still struggling to learning and remembers the letters of the alphabet. He can only count to ten. He knows a few sight words as he is at the early stages of learning to read. His motor skills are behind normal children his age. And his speech development is poor. We have a houseboat on Lake Powell. For his safety, it is important that Darin learns to swim. For several years we enrolled Darin in the summer swimming program offered at Orange Coast College. We were disappointed that at the end of each summer as he was still afraid of the water and had developed no skills. But last year we learned of Amber Baltzer's one-on-one swimming school. We enrolled him in the school and by the end of the summer, Carla and I were thrilled that he was no longer afraid of the water and Darin had developed some basic strokes in the water. Amber's school worked for our son. We plan to enroll Darin this year to continue his developed of basic motor skills in the water. There are two issues that have been raised with operating a personalized swimming school: noise and parking. NOISE ISSUE: I took Darin to most of the 20 minute sessions each week last summer. Since there are only two instructors and two students in the swimming pool at a time, there really is no noise from the swimming school. I would sit in a chair next to the pool with another parent waiting for our children's instruction. The only sounds were the two instructors talking to their students and some splashing sounds from the students moving in the water. Compared to the swimming school at Orange Coast College with maybe twenty students and two or three instructors yelling and splashing in the pool, Amber's school is very quiet. PARKING ISSUE: Last summer there was no parking issue at Amber's home. Most of the time, I would park my car in front of her home. There were a few times I parked across the street because I arrived early and the prior students have not completed their lessons. But as I looked down the street, there did not appear to be more cars parked near Amber's home than the rest of the street. Please Mr. Schlegel, help Amber Baltzer get the city business license she needs to operate her swimming school this summer. She and her instructors have provided a service to our special-needs child that we can afford and that our son, Darin, needs to help develop his motor skills. Thank you, Larry Larry S. Gustafson 1 Principal Software Engineer Instructor CSUF University Extended Education Tel.: 714-963-8967 Cell: 714-743-8748 Email: I ust verizon.net htt : www.linkedin.com in Lar SGustafson 2 Schle el, David From: Jill Carder [jillcarder@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 6:58 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Amber's Swim School Hello Mr. Schlegel, My name is Jill Carder, I am a (former) client of Amber's Swim School. I grew up here in Huntington Beach, and moved back with my husband 10 years ago. My parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmother, etc. are all residents of this great city which we love. I have a 4th grader and a 2nd grader at Hawes and a preschooler at Pierside/First Christian. I am a homeowner here, and am also myself a home-based business owner. My husband is a business owner in Costa Mesa and a property owner there as well. I understand how difficult it is to run a business. I was shocked to hear that Amber was having trouble relocating her business. I have used the services of other home-based businesses here is HB - piano lessons as a kid, childcare for my little ones, tutoring, and elderly care to name a few. My grandmother is currently residing in a home-based assisted living business here in HB. We need these businesses in our city. They provide us with a great service. Many would be unable to operate unless out of their home. I don't understand how those businesses are any different than hers? I know my neighbor who has had a beloved home-based daycare here for decades employs people who do not live there. I myself had a nanny that I employed - would I have needed to make her live with me? Wouldn't requiring Amber's Swim instructors to live with her cause more traffic and parking issues than less? The parents utilizing Amber's Swim School are conscientious parents who are paying a premium to ensure that their little ones are safe. This is not a noisy experience. Amber's school always takes a gentle approach - which is why I chose her school. There were never more than one or two other cars there on the street when I arrived. It was never noisy. My neighbor who has three grown children and had six cars for the one household was far more of a nuisance and didn't seem to bother any neighbors or myself. Amber only operates for a couple of months in the summer. Please consider that Amber operated for 6 years without a problem. If it were noisy and a bad experience she wouldn't have such great word-of-mouth referrals. Please also remember this is "Surf City" after all where swimming is integral to our children's lives. Every other backyard in Huntington Beach has a pool and our children grow up on the beach. Teaching them to swim at an early age is extremely important. You will think I am making this up but I am not: I learned to swim at age three from a neighbor who taught swim lessons here in HB in her backyard, as Amber does. Two months later I fell off the Balboa Ferry at night. I'm still here because of those private lessons. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerely, 1 Schle el, David From: Deborah Bamsey [debbie.bamsey@me.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:04 PM To: Amber Baltzer Cc: Schlegel, David Subject: Re: swim School drama.. the email is wrong. here the the correct one! To start how disappointing that the city is giving you trouble. I live in HB in a rather affluent area and a drug rehab home has moved in and set up a business and the city did NOTHING Nor could they. I have put 2 of my children through the swim program last year and was very impressed with how professional and fun the experience was for both of my children. I'm thankful I was able to get the referral from a previous swimmer. One thing that was definitely not an issue was traffic.. .1 was only able to identify the house by the address NOT traffic. In fact , I was rather surprised that it was so quite! With that being said your school has saved many lives, I'm sure! I'm also thankful you offer a private and safe place for my children to learn to swim. With that said I only hope the city and peoples ignorance can be over ridden. Debbie Bamsey Ocean Front Real Estate Marketing & Sales License # 01488554 REL 714-488-3741 Direct line www.debbiebamse com Sent from my iPhone Please excuse any typos! On Jan 22, 2013, at 8:20 PM, Amber Baltzer <amberbaltzer mail.com> wrote: > The email is wrong! Sorry here is the correct one! > > David Schlegel <david.schle el surfcit -hb.or > > Thanks for all your love and support! > Amber > On Jan 22, 2013, at 4:32 PM, Amber Baltzer wrote: >> HI Friends, swimmers, neighbors, etc. > I have been dealing with the city for the last 2 months trying to get my swim school's business license address changed to my new address. Thought it was not going to be a big deal.. right? Since this business has been running in this same neighborhood for 6 years. >> Well apparently I moved out of the "leave it to beaver" part of the neighborhood... where everyone is amazing. I LOVED my old neighbors and never had a problem with any of them. Now I am already having problems with my new neighbors and i haven't even moved in. They are complaining about the swim school and have no clue what they are even complaining about. So the city is being really really REALLY difficult. >> I talked to the person about my business license case and he said it would be helpful to hear from OLD NEIGHBORS and SWIM STUDENTS. >> They are letting me run the swim school they are just putting major restrictions .. one being my instructors have to live with me ?? Weird... but ok. The other one has to do with parking and traffic. They think my swim school will cause to much traffic and parking issues in the neighborhood. I have told them over and over that i Have a 3 car driveway now and 1 there are only 2 cars at a tin4 40e there so it will not be a problem. But they just do not believe me. So he told me that if they got lots of emails it would help my case in having less restrictions; >> SO PLEASE HELP!!! If you are a parent of a swim student and love our swim school... let the city know. Let them know why my swim school is unique in HB and why you attend. let them know how you feel about the noise and the traffic in the area. >> IF you are a neighbor OR know my neighbors emails (send this to them). They want to know how the traffic and parking is. And how is having a swim school in your neighborhood effected you? >> **** and if you have met my kids then you know that my KIDS are WAY louder and crazier then the swim school.... let the city know!!! >> I WOULD LOVE YOUR HELP!! >> email: david schle el surfcit -hb.or >> Love, >> Amber >> *** we will for sure see you in the summer... even if my instructors have to live with me! 2 Schle el, David From: Natali Carano [ncarano@hotmail.comj Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2013 6:15 PM To: Schlegel, David Subject: Ambers swim school David, My name is Natali Carano and I am a resident in Huntington Beach. My daughter has attended Ambers Swim School for the last 2 summers. We absolutely LOVE this school. The lessons are private and there are never more then two children in the pool at one time. This is great for the children as there are no distractions and they get the individual attention they need. This also means there are few people at the house at one time. Therefore the noise level is minimal and there is very little traffic. We would be devastated if this school was not able to continue this year. I was planing on enrolling my youngest daughter this summer and continuing lessons with my oldest. Thank you for your time and I truly hope to see my daughters learning to swim at Ambers Swim School this summer. Natali Carano 1 ToMom tmu con fern ,• 7r II .flrnbr , am (71O(?OSIfl&-vu rah a SIN' 1 1ao1 M rc lacgr Cla2 ea,ecer.-i-, nau2beev, ruANAy,s Suimsftol al-mis same MhbmaL N1 1 mbuvI by-) -kmt \- 3vfl SC(n6ai. W2 hp,.l2 Yt-c-VPXM;eivtd ClU u hS tw ne7 bs in cuA, ars. house.W 3 swim inshv-Vxs lnfivt-egaola+ any -tYY1CL -(he. \h3fi'UG7N5 2(k1 V1(A.uC Oa lUh"- vch -to--s -W, mkx g ic v, )e pai ak 64 -F,, vn2. ac tes3a -ft nose 6d is ho more 1rnarrv a { ridae baG4ard Su mmil pt W ron SWrr wbl Ida u, cuS` each eaa^ ia-?N,M Mkt U pM JC2LLLj-Tne yarIt wtl on rri scar drivc oY across \mOrr.fir-\tn 1 car s ax - Mc caOa6me -7i sag-1 (6 p'n.re r ma trz- Huntington Beach Map produced by information contained in the City of Huntington Beach Information Services Deparbnent Geographic Information System. Information warranted for City use only. Huntington Beach does not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Map Produced on 1/1512013 0 72 N13 615 144 CITY BOUNDARY A/ STREET CENTERLINES jOCTACIassj N Smartstreet Major Collector Primary Secondary Residential Travelway Alley PARKS PARCELS One inch equals 72 feet ,`. Y y Huntington Beach Map produced by information contained in the City of Huntington Beach Information Services Deparbnent Geographic Information System. Information warranted for City use only. Huntington Beach does not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Map Produced on 111512013 0 36 H3 015 72 CITY BOUNDARY STREET CENTERLINES (OCTACIass) / Smartstreet Major Collector Primary Secondary Residential Travekroay Alley PARKS One inch equals 36 feet