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Robert Leete, appellant, said regarding the timing of the project and the applicant's assertion he <br />has been delayed by appeals, they have been delayed as a result of the applicant's actions as <br />construction has gone on 5-6 years prior to the appeal. He said the neighbors never told Mr. <br />Smith at any time that non-permitted structures were okay; he encouraged the Council to visit <br />the neighborhood as he did not believe there were any 2,700 square foot houses, and felt <br />property values would not be enhanced with a 3,600 square foot home. <br />Mayor Hosterman closed the public hearing. <br />Councilmember Sullivan questioned what construction had occurred prior to the 2001 permit. <br />Mr. Iserson said there are no permits on file prior to 2001 and he was not aware of any <br />construction. He agreed that it was possible work was done without permits; however, the <br />neighbors would most likely have heard about it. <br />He questioned whether the rest of the construction was done other than the two additions not <br />covered by permits. Mr. Iserson said the interior work cannot be completed because one of the <br />new non-permitted additions is the electrical room and to get wiring from that room, permits <br />must be obtained in order to extend wiring to the rest of the house, but from the exterior point of <br />view, it is very close to being completed. <br />Councilmember Sullivan said if the Council upheld the appeal, he confirmed with Mr. Iserson the <br />work would be removed and he was not sure if this would take longer than finishing what is <br />already built. He questioned the Kings Canyon Court project and confirmed it was a different <br />property owner but that Mr. Smith assisted in the project which took a long time and was <br />permitted. <br />Councilmember McGovern questioned if Mr. Smith applied for permits to the two additions, and <br />Mr. Iserson said he has submitted plans but nothing can be done with them until approved by <br />the Council. <br />Mayor Hosterman acknowledged the neighbor's concerns, believed 6-7 years is too long; <br />however, Mr. Smith tried to accomplish the work on his own and it sounds like it took a lot longer <br />than he thought it would take. She was not in favor of asking him to remove improvements, <br />wished he would have obtained permits ahead of time, agreed the additions are beautiful, is <br />confident staff has conditioned expediting the construction process and she is hopeful that the <br />neighbors most affected will eventually be pleased with the outcome. She encouraged the <br />owner to expedite the process per the City's requirements and discussed a similar situation in <br />her neighborhood and its impact to residents. <br />Councilmember Cook-Kallio said she is sympathetic to the neighbors, recognized construction <br />does take longer than necessary, acknowledged the neighbors want an end to the construction <br />process, did not believe the remedy was to tear down the addition, wished all parties could have <br />addressed the situation in a neighborly fashion and that some repair of the neighborhood <br />relationship occurs in the future. <br />Councilmember Thorne said he is bothered by the progress and completion of the work, <br />believes the remedy is for the City to take an administration action and levy a substantial fine <br />due to Mr. Smith not first obtaining permits, said he did not want to require removal of work and <br />if timelines are not met he would support having the work removed. <br />City Council Minutes 7 March 4, 2008 <br />