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Councilmember Cook-Kallio said even though the old tank was twice the size of the new tank, it <br />looked roughly the same height and questioned whether this was accurate. Ms. Rocha said this <br />is not an accurate depiction as her son took the picture many years ago and she tried to align <br />the tanks as best she could. Councilmember Cook-Kallio verified that trees were removed from <br />the Segundo's lot which without a permit, except for one which was the pine tree. Ms. Decker <br />said no permit was issued for the Segundo's tank or for construction and they are currently <br />undergoing code enforcement proceedings. <br />Councilmember McGovern asked for a continuance to give the parties an opportunity to reach <br />an agreement. She felt both parties made mistakes, and perhaps two weeks would give them <br />time to come up with a solution. <br />Councilmember Cook-Kallio asked Ms. Rocha if two weeks time for a mediation process would <br />be helpful. Ms. Rocha said she was not inflexible, but the only issue is that she has already <br />spent considerable money installing the tank. The Segundo's have suggested they would cover <br />half the cost of moving the tank, however, it feels like a waste of resources to do it again. It is <br />still not going to appease the neighbors in Diamond Court. Moving the tank to a certain spot <br />may not resolve the issue. If it is moved to the middle of the field it will be more obvious to the <br />Segundo's. <br />Councilmember Cook-Kallio expressed appreciation for Ms. Rocha's frustration, asked that <br />discussions go on longer than two weeks and a workable solution would be her preference. <br />Councilmember Sullivan reported he has talked to the appellant and has been to the site. The <br />tank is very visible from appellant's house and Diamond Court and their input would have been <br />valuable. He believed that 30 days would be more appropriate to work this out. However, staff <br />has processes in places, design review rules and staff notifies neighbors when these things are <br />done so people can be warned and have the opportunity of public process to influence. He said <br />his inclination is to reinstitute the process, put it back where it was and if people want to move <br />the tank go through the process. If the Segundo's are willing to contribute, it may move the <br />process along. If it takes 30 days to find a solution, it should be extended. If it comes back <br />unresolved, it will need to be viewed from the perspective of why the rules are set up in the first <br />place. <br />Councilmember Cook-Kallio agreed and said she is likely to deny the appeal because the <br />Segundo's also did not go through the process in removing their trees. Both are culpable. It is <br />troublesome to grant an appeal on a conditional use permit when they did not do it either, and <br />she would like to see some sort of resolution. <br />Councilmember McGovern commented that Ms. Rocha has done an amazing job to her <br />property. She believes the Segundo's property values have increased because of it; however, <br />two wrongs do not make a right. Both of these matters have to go through the process to make <br />them right and she hoped the 30 days will reduce the level of animosity and things work out. <br />Vice Mayor Thorne said a major concern of his is the failure to get the CUP and that he was not <br />sure it was Ms. Rocha's fault. He felt the Council might ask the hearing officer to talk with the <br />contractor to apprise him of the need for permits. However, he said this property is zoned <br />agricultural and structures like the tank are expected in this particular area. The decision to <br />place the tank next to the wellhead is a rational engineering decision. He did not think it would <br />be necessary to move the tank and supported planting better screening for view or anything <br />else that would help the view line. <br />City Councii Minutes 10 August 19, 2008 <br />