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485 <br /> <br /> Councilmember Mohr stated the City Attorney has cited the <br />Pettit case to support his decision, which states the building <br />permit was in violation to the zoning ordinance. Mr. Roush stated <br />the facts of that particular case did involve a building permit <br />which had been issued erroneously and in violation of the City's <br />zoning ordinance. The part of the case however, in his opinion, <br />which is applicable here, has to do with the fact that the Court <br />made mention of the fact that estoppal will not lie when there is <br />a policy to protect the rights of citizens. In that particular <br />case it had to do with a violation to the zoning ordinance, but a <br />similar argument could be made here. That is, if a certain height <br />limitation were allowed to remain, the City of Pleasanton, as the <br />City, would not be hurt or impacted by it, but that the public <br />would be. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Mohr stated that if the litigation process is <br />pursued, since the neighbors are involved would that mean they are <br />third parties to such litigation. Mr. Roush advised yes and no; <br />there is no question that if the Council takes no action or if the <br />Council does take action that does not make the adjacent property <br />owners happy, they have the legal right and ability to go to court <br />to enforce the restriction under the CC&R's. They have an <br />independent right no matter what action Council takes tonight. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Tarver asked if the arguments proposed in the <br />letter delivered to Council today from Amador Valley Savings and <br />Loan's attorney would require additional time for Mr. Roush to <br />study their points. Mr. Roush stated he is not uncomfotable with <br />his original position. He does not believe that an intrepertation <br />of the condition by this Council would be imposing a new <br />condition. He agrees the law says a city cannot impose a new <br />condition, but in this particular case he does not believe the <br />Council would be imposing a new condition. Secondly, he feels <br />there is an ambiguity in the phrase "single-story in height". The <br />Attorney's letter, representing the developer, indicates it is <br />their position that there is not an ambiguity in that phase; Mr. <br />Roush feels there is. If Council feels that the phrase is clear <br />then the matter can stand and Council need not take action, but if <br />Council concludes there is ambiguity, then it is within its <br />purview to clarify what single-story in height means, and have it <br />apply to the lots in question. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Tarver stated that in hearing this issue, both <br />in Planning Commission and at City Council, about the grading <br />issue and the visibility, every representation that he can recall <br />to get the project approved originally was trying to make the <br />owners that were coming up against the project satisfied with the <br />proposal. He was not involved in the discussions concerning a <br />typical one-story but he can see where that phrase could lead to <br />some confusion on the homeowners part who live in one-story <br />buildings that are 14-16 feet high, believing that to be typical, <br />and not seeing something that is 28 feet tall as a single-story <br />house. If taller one-story houses were being contemplated the <br /> <br /> - 25 - 1-17-89 <br /> <br /> <br />