HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-2016 Item 7, WhiteCOUNCIL MEETING: 0"(a.6-(-Z-0t6 RECEIVED _.
Maier, John Paul
ITEM NO :_ 7_ = MAR 14 2016
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From: Linda White <lindaleewhitel5@gmaiLsl_o Cry Y.,.
,Nnt: Monday, March 14, 2016 9:42 AM
Marx, Jan; Carpenter, Dan; Rivoire, Dan; Christianson, Carlyn; Ashbaugh, John; Lichtig,
Katie; E-mail Council Website
Subject: Walker appeal -can't find on agenda
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
March 11, 2016
Re: Steve & Kathy Walker appeal
March 15, 2016
Mayor Marx and Council Members,
I became aware of the Walker's difficulties with the planning department a number of months ago, while
fighting and speaking WITH the Walkers, FOR the Rental Housing Inspection Program.
After reading the very detailed Walker response regarding their personal residence (not a rental), I attended the
January Construction Board Appeal to see how the Walkers and their personal residence would be treated by
the CDD. Opponents of the Rental Inspection Program opposed the ordinance arguing in part, government
overreach, invasion of privacy, slippery slope to personal residence inspections, etc.
I was appalled at the grossly mishandled CDD treatment of the Walkers from the start of the investigation. In
front of the board, the CDD appeared rigid and vindictive. It is not the fault of the Walkers that each time they
reached an agreement with the City, the city representative quit. The inability of the City to keep employees
long enough to complete their work should not penalize the Walkers or any other resident.
When I discovered the rigidity of the CDD, I asked the City for my own permit records. Two of my homes were
built in the early 1950s and there are no permits for the original construction. One was built in 1958 and the
original permit is on record. Two were built in the 1960s and there are no original building permits. Copies of
these permit records will be provided to the city clerk for inclusion for you to verify.
If SLO permit records are so incomplete in homes of 50 and 60 years, how can the Walkers be held liable for
incomplete records of their 90 year-old home? The Walker home should be inspected for true safety issues
visible by the same level of inspection that will be carried out on rentals. They should be required to bring those
and only those issues into compliance. They should not be required to tear the living room down and turn it
back into a carport because the City has no permit record.
I had offered my SLO rentals to Joseph Lease for his inspection program. However, seeing the way the CDD
treated the Walkers and their owner occupied home, I refuse to register my rentals. I will never allow a CDD
inspector into any home without a warrant. The permit records held by the City are too incomplete for me to
cooperate.
The Walkers, like many of us without rich parents, attempted to realize their dream of living the SLO life by
buying a fixer upper. Please don't allow their home to be taken from them by the CDD. Hopefully, you will
instill some common sense into the Walker case.
Sincerely,
Linda White