L.1. 21-2336 PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION APPROVING THE REQUEST FOR AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE'S ROOF ATTACHED TO THE REAR ELEVATION OF THE MAIN HOME WITHIN THE REAR SETBACK OF THE REAR UNIT OF AN EXISTING 2-UNIT RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN A LOW-DENSITY MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-2) ZONE AT 2015 SPEYER LANE UNIT B.
RECOMMENDATION:
The public hearing is to be structured in the following order, subject to the Rules of Conduct for City Council meetings:
1. Announcement and motion to open public hearing;
2. Motion to receive and file affidavit of publication, case file, and written correspondence;
3. Staff presentation;
4. Public testimony and presentation of evidence;
a. Proponent maximum of 1 hour;
b. Appellant maximum of 1 hour
c. Public comment 3 minutes each;
d. Appellant rebuttal 20 minutes;
e. Proponent rebuttal 20 minutes.
5. City Council questions;
6. Motion to close public hearing;
7. City Council discussion and debate;
8. Motion and action.
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2105-043, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, GRANTING THE APPEAL AND OVERTURNING THE PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST FOR AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE ATTACHED TO THE REAR ELEVATION OF THE MAIN HOME WITHIN THE REAR SETBACK OF THE REAR UNIT OF AN EXISTING 2-UNIT RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN A LOW-DENSITY MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-2) ZONE AT 2015 SPEYER LANE UNIT B;
OR
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2105-044, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORINA, DENYING THE APPEAL AND UPHOLDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION APPROVING THE REQUEST FOR AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE ATTACHED TO THE REAR ELEVATION OF THE MAIN HOME WITHIN THE REAR SETBACK OF THE REAR UNIT OF AN EXISTING 2-UNIT RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN A LOW-DENSITY MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-2) ZONE AT 2015 SPEYER LANE UNIT B
Good morning at 1:00am. What the city council did to push back this public hearing to the Stock family and the Sufnar family is just cruel. They have been dealing with this for almost a year. To make them wait even longer isn't right. You should have resolved this item first as it was on the agenda for tonight and let these families move on and put this behind them.
There seems to be some level of politics involved with the history of these appeals, when the proposed structure should have been already denied on technical reasons alone. Therefore, I would like to remind Council that there are at least 2 technical issues that should be left only to the building and planning departments to address:
1. Fire spread to neighboring buildings is more likely when any building encroaches a setback.
2. Precedents do not necessarily mean they justify a proposed structure to be approved. One would have to verify each and every precedent to see if they were properly permitted. Many of these seemingly ad-hoc structures were not permitted. Further, a structure that was permitted 20 years ago may not be compliant if built today. This is why the planning and building departments take the opportunity to encourage and enforce compliance to today's code for any proposed design they review.
Finally, while it is great that the property owner has great neighborhood support, what I find missing is support from any licensed architect. Please note that the licensed professional who submitted the proposed design of this structure was a structural engineer, not a licensed architect. An engineer does not readily deal with the safety issues of setbacks and adjacent structures, or the code issues of precedents - they primarily focus on the structural integrity of the proposed design, in isolation of other structures.
I support the Stocks’ right to have city building and zoning codes enforced. We cannot allow anybody to build anything they want without following the law. It should be abundantly clear that the city must be able to stop illegal development and no planning commission decision should favor individuals who did not pay city fees, did not obtain permits and then ignored the city’s request to stop building unpermitted structures. This should be self-evident. The city should enforce its own laws… otherwise, what is the point of having laws? Can anyone do whatever they want with their property? Allowing the planning commission’s wrongheaded decision to prevail sends a clear message to all city residents: build whatever you want… we won’t stop you. In fact, we will approve it after the fact
This is wrong, plain and simple. I I sincerely hope the council recognizes this.
To Whom It May Concern:
I support the backyard improvements of Cory & Matt Sufnar. My name is Laura Grabher. I am a local Redondo Beach resident (on Steinhart avenue) for 15 years and a local realtor for 19 years with the Hoffman Murphy Real Estate team. The structure they put up on their property enhances not only their home, but the neighborhood. The two-on-a-lot homes do not have much outdoor space, so to maximize a great indoor/outdoor living space considerably increases the value of the homes in the neighborhood. An interested buyer would pay considerably more for a home with the outdoor enhancements that the Sufnars have done to their home. The space is not only beautiful, but functional and the materials they used will last. I see many wood structures in backyards when selling homes that are full of termites and wood rot. This is not the case here. Additionally, ADUs are now allowed in Redondo Beach and have added value to our neighborhoods - this is much less than what would be considered an ADU as it is not enclosed. This structure not only increases value to the home and the neighborhood, but the lifestyle of this family.
Laura Grabher
DRE#01372048
laura@HoffmanMurphy.com
310-489-7270
March 18, 2021
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Susan Roberts I am a local Redondo Beach resident for over 15 years in District 2. I am
writing you to share my overwhelming support for the Sufnars backyard improvements. We have known
the Sufnars for 10+ years now and have gotten to know them well through our children who went to
Jefferson Elementary together. Cory has been an active supporter in our community always helping with
school functions and fundraisers. Cory also devoted her time as the chair at the elementary school for our
running club for several years showing up every single day to cheer on the kids running around the track
every day before school.
Here in Southern California, we are very fortunate to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather we have year round. As a Redondo Beach resident, we all can attest to the hard-working lifestyle it takes to be able to
reside and enjoy this small niche community we live in. I admire residents like Matt & Cory who take pride
in their home and investing in our community. In fact, we moved to a new home on S. Juanita Ave a few
years ago. A well-maintained street was a critical and deciding factor in our decision to purchase on S. Juanita
Ave.
Redondo Beach would need to hire a calvary to address all the non-conforming structures we have
throughout our neighborhood. Will that being said, we still love Redondo Beach and all its charm it has to
offer. The Sufnars are a well-respected family here in our community. They take pride in their home and
community and should be the example and not the victim of one neighbor who appears to be upset about
Matt & Cory removing trees on their own property to create a safe outdoor living space for their family. We
ask the city council to make the right decision and support The Sufnars, a Redondo Beach
resident who takes tremendous pride in their community.
Sincerely,
Susan Roberts
January 31, 2021
To Whom It May Concern,
We have lived in Redondo Beach for 41 years. We are the original owners of 2017 B Speyer Lane and have resided here for 33 years. In that time, we have watched the neighborhood change from single family houses to predominately two on a lot. Over the years we have worked cooperatively with our neighbors current and past regarding fencing and tree trimming. Currently, we live directly east of the Sufnar family. We share a new vinyl fence which we cooperatively financed and had built to replace the old worn-out wooden fence. The Sufnars’ have always meticulously maintained their property and have recently improved the living area in their backyard. We feel that these improvements are very well done and enhance the property.
We are writing this letter to express our support of the backyard improvements. We concur with our neighbors, the McEveety family, that it is refreshing to see neighbors that invest in their home and community. Their improvements to the driveway and backyard area are tastefully done and adhere to the diverse architectural styles throughout the neighborhood. Their improvements and their significant financial investment contribute to the overall property values in the area.
The Sufnar’s have always been considerate neighbors. They have notified all impacted neighbors regarding their construction and the lengthened time table due to unforeseen circumstances. We feel that it is quite unfair for one homeowner to create such difficulties for the Sufnars’ when the majority of the surrounding homeowners feel that the improvements are beneficial to the overall community.
We hope that you consider all these facts and rule in favor of the Sufnars’ on this matter. We oppose this appeal as this project has already been unanimously approved by the planning commission.
Sincerely,
Marshall & Diana Gelb
2017 B Speyer Lane Redondo Beach, CA 90278 310-944-8245
Dear Redondo Beach City Council:
I oppose this appeal and SUPPORT the planning commission decision rendered on 3/18/2021. My name is Kristina Cleland and I am born and raised in the beloved South Bay. I currently work serving the South Bay community as a mental health therapist. My friends, Cory and Matt Sufnar, have built a really nice outdoor patio including a barbecue and fireplace for entertainment and relaxation. It is evident that the structure that was built at 2015 Speyer Lane #B is compliant with the written code. Growing up in the South Bay with its beautiful weather, I know how appealing it is to spend as much time as you can outside. As a mental health therapist, evidence supports the importance of spending time outside to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression. With the pandemic and our difficulties with getting out of the house it is especially important to have a living space outside to spend your quality time. I feel really strongly that their home improvement is another great living space that should be allowed. It is unfortunate that the Sufnar’s are getting caught up in the city bureaucracy of trying to get this resolved when there are more important issues to address in our community. I hope you all can see the benefits of this outdoor space and how it is not negatively impacting any of the neighbors in the community.
Sincerely,
Kristina Cleland
kristina@sbcft.com
South Bay Child and Family Therapy
1601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 290
Hermosa Beach Ca 90254
Redondo Beach City Council,
We live at 2016 Belmont Lane # B in Redondo Beach. We have been here since we purchased our home in 2000. We understand that there have been some complaints about the Sufnar Residence’s backyard home improvements and are writing to give our support/approval of the improvements they made.
Our yards back up to one another and touch in the corner. We are not directly behind them, but the lot just to the East on the Belmont Lane side of the block.
I have to admit I am jealous of what they did with their yard! They have created a wonderful outdoor space. Frankly, I’m happy about the overall improvement to the neighborhood (though not visible from the street) that this will bring all of property values up.
We all have small yards here in Redondo and sadly many don’t really use them. In a way, we have a small “neighborhood” behind the houses. It’s nice to have a family breathing more life into our little “neighborhood”.
Please count us as fully supportive of their home improvement project.
Sincerely,
Brad & Shanna English 2016 Belmont Lane, B Redondo Beach, CA 90278 310-874-3761
Vista Sotheby's International Realty
16 Malaga Cove Plaza
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274 t 310.375.0583
f 310.872.5038
c 424.247.4880
Greg.Thatcher@vistasir.com
April 7, 2021
Subject: 2015 Speyer Lane #B, Redondo Beach To Whom it May Concern:
As a long-time resident of North Redondo Beach and a Realtor in the South Bay for over 13 years I am providing this letter from a professional point of view.
I have reviewed countless properties in this area and found the backyard improvements of 2015 Speyer Lane #B, Redondo Beach would substantially increase the value of the subject property. The design was well planned and executed with excellent attention to detail. Quality of the materials and workmanship are both above average. They do not negatively impact the value any of the surrounding properties. As well, improvements are consistent with the general look and feel of the neighborhood. There is not, in my view, any reasonable argument that it is anything but a valuable addition to the neighborhood.
In my opinion, having neighbors who invest in their homes with improvements only increases property values for the area. The Sufnars should be considered valuable neighbors to have on your street.
Good morning at 1:00am. What the city council did to push back this public hearing to the Stock family and the Sufnar family is just cruel. They have been dealing with this for almost a year. To make them wait even longer isn't right. You should have resolved this item first as it was on the agenda for tonight and let these families move on and put this behind them.
There seems to be some level of politics involved with the history of these appeals, when the proposed structure should have been already denied on technical reasons alone. Therefore, I would like to remind Council that there are at least 2 technical issues that should be left only to the building and planning departments to address:
1. Fire spread to neighboring buildings is more likely when any building encroaches a setback.
2. Precedents do not necessarily mean they justify a proposed structure to be approved. One would have to verify each and every precedent to see if they were properly permitted. Many of these seemingly ad-hoc structures were not permitted. Further, a structure that was permitted 20 years ago may not be compliant if built today. This is why the planning and building departments take the opportunity to encourage and enforce compliance to today's code for any proposed design they review.
Finally, while it is great that the property owner has great neighborhood support, what I find missing is support from any licensed architect. Please note that the licensed professional who submitted the proposed design of this structure was a structural engineer, not a licensed architect. An engineer does not readily deal with the safety issues of setbacks and adjacent structures, or the code issues of precedents - they primarily focus on the structural integrity of the proposed design, in isolation of other structures.
I support the Stocks’ right to have city building and zoning codes enforced. We cannot allow anybody to build anything they want without following the law. It should be abundantly clear that the city must be able to stop illegal development and no planning commission decision should favor individuals who did not pay city fees, did not obtain permits and then ignored the city’s request to stop building unpermitted structures. This should be self-evident. The city should enforce its own laws… otherwise, what is the point of having laws? Can anyone do whatever they want with their property? Allowing the planning commission’s wrongheaded decision to prevail sends a clear message to all city residents: build whatever you want… we won’t stop you. In fact, we will approve it after the fact
This is wrong, plain and simple. I I sincerely hope the council recognizes this.
To Whom It May Concern:
I support the backyard improvements of Cory & Matt Sufnar. My name is Laura Grabher. I am a local Redondo Beach resident (on Steinhart avenue) for 15 years and a local realtor for 19 years with the Hoffman Murphy Real Estate team. The structure they put up on their property enhances not only their home, but the neighborhood. The two-on-a-lot homes do not have much outdoor space, so to maximize a great indoor/outdoor living space considerably increases the value of the homes in the neighborhood. An interested buyer would pay considerably more for a home with the outdoor enhancements that the Sufnars have done to their home. The space is not only beautiful, but functional and the materials they used will last. I see many wood structures in backyards when selling homes that are full of termites and wood rot. This is not the case here. Additionally, ADUs are now allowed in Redondo Beach and have added value to our neighborhoods - this is much less than what would be considered an ADU as it is not enclosed. This structure not only increases value to the home and the neighborhood, but the lifestyle of this family.
Laura Grabher
DRE#01372048
laura@HoffmanMurphy.com
310-489-7270
March 18, 2021
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Susan Roberts I am a local Redondo Beach resident for over 15 years in District 2. I am
writing you to share my overwhelming support for the Sufnars backyard improvements. We have known
the Sufnars for 10+ years now and have gotten to know them well through our children who went to
Jefferson Elementary together. Cory has been an active supporter in our community always helping with
school functions and fundraisers. Cory also devoted her time as the chair at the elementary school for our
running club for several years showing up every single day to cheer on the kids running around the track
every day before school.
Here in Southern California, we are very fortunate to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather we have year round. As a Redondo Beach resident, we all can attest to the hard-working lifestyle it takes to be able to
reside and enjoy this small niche community we live in. I admire residents like Matt & Cory who take pride
in their home and investing in our community. In fact, we moved to a new home on S. Juanita Ave a few
years ago. A well-maintained street was a critical and deciding factor in our decision to purchase on S. Juanita
Ave.
Redondo Beach would need to hire a calvary to address all the non-conforming structures we have
throughout our neighborhood. Will that being said, we still love Redondo Beach and all its charm it has to
offer. The Sufnars are a well-respected family here in our community. They take pride in their home and
community and should be the example and not the victim of one neighbor who appears to be upset about
Matt & Cory removing trees on their own property to create a safe outdoor living space for their family. We
ask the city council to make the right decision and support The Sufnars, a Redondo Beach
resident who takes tremendous pride in their community.
Sincerely,
Susan Roberts
January 31, 2021
To Whom It May Concern,
We have lived in Redondo Beach for 41 years. We are the original owners of 2017 B Speyer Lane and have resided here for 33 years. In that time, we have watched the neighborhood change from single family houses to predominately two on a lot. Over the years we have worked cooperatively with our neighbors current and past regarding fencing and tree trimming. Currently, we live directly east of the Sufnar family. We share a new vinyl fence which we cooperatively financed and had built to replace the old worn-out wooden fence. The Sufnars’ have always meticulously maintained their property and have recently improved the living area in their backyard. We feel that these improvements are very well done and enhance the property.
We are writing this letter to express our support of the backyard improvements. We concur with our neighbors, the McEveety family, that it is refreshing to see neighbors that invest in their home and community. Their improvements to the driveway and backyard area are tastefully done and adhere to the diverse architectural styles throughout the neighborhood. Their improvements and their significant financial investment contribute to the overall property values in the area.
The Sufnar’s have always been considerate neighbors. They have notified all impacted neighbors regarding their construction and the lengthened time table due to unforeseen circumstances. We feel that it is quite unfair for one homeowner to create such difficulties for the Sufnars’ when the majority of the surrounding homeowners feel that the improvements are beneficial to the overall community.
We hope that you consider all these facts and rule in favor of the Sufnars’ on this matter. We oppose this appeal as this project has already been unanimously approved by the planning commission.
Sincerely,
Marshall & Diana Gelb
2017 B Speyer Lane Redondo Beach, CA 90278 310-944-8245
Dear Redondo Beach City Council:
I oppose this appeal and SUPPORT the planning commission decision rendered on 3/18/2021. My name is Kristina Cleland and I am born and raised in the beloved South Bay. I currently work serving the South Bay community as a mental health therapist. My friends, Cory and Matt Sufnar, have built a really nice outdoor patio including a barbecue and fireplace for entertainment and relaxation. It is evident that the structure that was built at 2015 Speyer Lane #B is compliant with the written code. Growing up in the South Bay with its beautiful weather, I know how appealing it is to spend as much time as you can outside. As a mental health therapist, evidence supports the importance of spending time outside to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression. With the pandemic and our difficulties with getting out of the house it is especially important to have a living space outside to spend your quality time. I feel really strongly that their home improvement is another great living space that should be allowed. It is unfortunate that the Sufnar’s are getting caught up in the city bureaucracy of trying to get this resolved when there are more important issues to address in our community. I hope you all can see the benefits of this outdoor space and how it is not negatively impacting any of the neighbors in the community.
Sincerely,
Kristina Cleland
kristina@sbcft.com
South Bay Child and Family Therapy
1601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 290
Hermosa Beach Ca 90254
Redondo Beach City Council,
We live at 2016 Belmont Lane # B in Redondo Beach. We have been here since we purchased our home in 2000. We understand that there have been some complaints about the Sufnar Residence’s backyard home improvements and are writing to give our support/approval of the improvements they made.
Our yards back up to one another and touch in the corner. We are not directly behind them, but the lot just to the East on the Belmont Lane side of the block.
I have to admit I am jealous of what they did with their yard! They have created a wonderful outdoor space. Frankly, I’m happy about the overall improvement to the neighborhood (though not visible from the street) that this will bring all of property values up.
We all have small yards here in Redondo and sadly many don’t really use them. In a way, we have a small “neighborhood” behind the houses. It’s nice to have a family breathing more life into our little “neighborhood”.
Please count us as fully supportive of their home improvement project.
Sincerely,
Brad & Shanna English 2016 Belmont Lane, B Redondo Beach, CA 90278 310-874-3761
Greg Thatcher
Realtor
Vista Sotheby's International Realty
16 Malaga Cove Plaza
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274 t 310.375.0583
f 310.872.5038
c 424.247.4880
Greg.Thatcher@vistasir.com
April 7, 2021
Subject: 2015 Speyer Lane #B, Redondo Beach To Whom it May Concern:
As a long-time resident of North Redondo Beach and a Realtor in the South Bay for over 13 years I am providing this letter from a professional point of view.
I have reviewed countless properties in this area and found the backyard improvements of 2015 Speyer Lane #B, Redondo Beach would substantially increase the value of the subject property. The design was well planned and executed with excellent attention to detail. Quality of the materials and workmanship are both above average. They do not negatively impact the value any of the surrounding properties. As well, improvements are consistent with the general look and feel of the neighborhood. There is not, in my view, any reasonable argument that it is anything but a valuable addition to the neighborhood.
In my opinion, having neighbors who invest in their homes with improvements only increases property values for the area. The Sufnars should be considered valuable neighbors to have on your street.
Sincerely,
Greg Thatcher