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Councilmember Sullivan disagreed, stating that this is a very important process and he was very <br /> interested in hearing the appeal. <br /> Mr. Dolan presented the staff report, stating that the applicants/appellants received approval for a <br /> second story addition to their single-family residence. The Council's approval contained a condition <br /> requiring the applicant to provide $2,500 for the purchase and installation of a skylight to the neighbors <br /> immediately to the east who were most impacted by the project. Staff interpreted this condition to mean <br /> that the Lopez family would provide funding in the amount of $2,500 and, while the original intent was <br /> to add a skylight, it was not necessarily required that the money be used for purpose. Given that the <br /> underlying intent was to provide some sort of mitigation, staff took the approach that it would be <br /> acceptable for the Perry family to use the funds for an alternate form of mitigation. Mr. Dolan conceded <br /> that, as written, it is understandable that different interpretations of the condition's intent exist, which is <br /> the crux of the issue before the Council. The Lopez family currently contends that it should not be <br /> required to put forth the specified funds until the Perry's actually purchase and install the skylight. <br /> Councilmember McGovern asked and Mr. Dolan confirmed that, at the time the condition was written, <br /> staff believed $2,500 would be sufficient to cover the purchase and installation of a skylight. Ultimately, <br /> the bids received by the Perry's came in higher than anticipated. <br /> Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing. <br /> Rodney Lopez stated that throughout this process, he has offered and the Perry family has rejected any <br /> number of mitigations. After several appeals by the Perry family, they chose to enter mediation to <br /> address any outstanding concerns in good faith. It was at this time that he offered the skylight as a <br /> potential mitigation, which the Perry family also rejected. The application finally came before the <br /> Council, who ultimately approved the project with Condition of Approval No. 8 for the purchase and <br /> installation of a skylight to mitigate shading issues on the Perry's home. The Perry's currently contend <br /> that the funds may be used for other purposes, which he maintains was not the purpose of the offer or <br /> the intent of the Council. <br /> Ms. Lopez stated that funds were offered in good faith for the specific purpose of mitigating the shading <br /> impacts on the Perry's home. There was never any discussion in mediation or at the City Council that <br /> the payment would allow for personal usage. <br /> Mr. Lopez presented several excerpts from the City Council meeting, demonstrating that the offer was <br /> intended specifically to mitigate the light issue. He cautioned against setting a precedent that supports <br /> bribes and payouts, which is exactly what allowing the Perry to receive the funds under the present <br /> circumstances would do. The condition currently states that the applicants shall provide payment for the <br /> cost to purchase and install one skylight in the front room of the Perry's residence. Unfortunately, the <br /> remainder of the condition provides no enforcement regarding actual installation of the skylight. He <br /> noted that the Council's motion at the time included verbiage stating that the actual details could be <br /> determined at a later date, which is what he attempted to do upon identifying the discrepancy in the <br /> current language. <br /> He referenced an email from the City Attorney dated November 19, 2011, in which Mr. Lowell conceded <br /> that the condition was vague in its execution but not its intent. The email indicated that Mr. Lowell was <br /> prepared to remind the Perry's of the expectation that the money paid would go towards the installation <br /> of a skylight and also that he would allow the Lopez family the opportunity to open up the appeals <br /> process. He confirmed that the Council received a written from the mediator and said he supported her <br /> statements. <br /> Ms. Lopez asked that the Council modify the condition to specify that the Lopez would not release the <br /> funds until after the purchase and installation of the skylight and that the Lopez have the right to issue <br /> payment directly to the contractor. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 10 of 13 April 17,2012 <br />