I support the Stock's right to have Redondo Beach 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 city permits, did not follow city codes 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 sincerely hope the council recognizes this. Respectfully yours...

The building laws need to apply to everyone. If you want to make improvements or changes, you have to apply for, and get permits that comply with the current laws and building codes. This work continued through 5 stop work orders and multiple warnings. Ignoring warnings and a lack of permits for this structure is irresponsible, inconsiderate and illegal.

The following is my professional opinion as a licensed architect with 20 years of experience. Additionally, my opinion is not intended to disparage any parties involved.

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. The reason this issue should be determined only on technical reasons is because the current owners may sell, but the structure remains permanent. No amount of "nice neighborliness" or even "beautiful design" should factor in for this structure. 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.

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.
Sincerely,
Marshall & Diana Gelb
2017 B Speyer Lane Redondo Beach, CA 90278 310-944-8245

I support this appeal. The additions to this residence are a travesty; it's hard to believe so little consideration has been given to adjacent neighbors and the surrounding neighborhood. It truly is criminal--the law needs to be upheld!

Dear Redondo Beach City Council,

I am writing on behalf of the Sufnar family and to show my support for the beautiful addition to their home and to our community. We are neighbors of the Sufnar‘s and are in shock that a unanimous decision by the appointed planning commissioners is now at the city council level. We are concerned that this is how our valuable local city resources are being exhausted as a result of one maladjusted neighbor. Redondo Beach residents want outdoor living space. This is one of the main reasons we all choose to live in this community. We, just like the SUFNAR‘s, have teenage children who have been told to stay locked inside for the past year. They have been stripped of all normalcy as they knew it. As a way to safely provide their children a place to socially distance with their friends and to help to avoid depression and anxiety that was showing up, Cory and Matt made a wise investment for their family. Their outside space is tastefully done, pays attention to detail and provides the space needed to safely congregate with family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. It is Cory and Matt’s love for time with their family and friends that motivated them to move forward with the project and spend a sizable amount of money during a most unstable period and this is a characteristic that our city should cherish in its residents . I am proud and grateful for them as our friends and neighbors. We ask that you take all of these things into consideration and support the outdoor living space which is clearly compliant with the Redondo Beach Municipal Code in place today.

Respectfully, Jim & Christine Abramowski

Today is a demonstration that our processes are broken as there are more pressing City matters that need to be addressed. How an appeal to the Council was approved after a 7 – 0 vote by our Planning Commissioners on a low priority,backyard project needs to be investigated as the Appellant’s appeal is baseless. Allow the Planning Commission,the authority to adjudicate these matters.The 3/18 commission meeting ran 4 hours.The Stocks had their voice heard as the Commission extended their speaking length 3 times!The public had their voices heard.A decision today against the Commission’s 7-0 vote, will not only undermine the Commission, City Building and Planning Department charters, but will bring more frivolous appeals to the Council.It is known the Stocks are extreme animal rights activists and use their skills to harass the Sufnars and bully the City on a campaign that should not even be a topic of these proceedings. They are using this hearing as a bully pulpit for their own agenda, which is insubordinate to these proceedings.Think about their behaviors over the last year.Consider their 2 appeals in 2002 bullying the City to have trees planted in someone else’s backyard of which they benefitted from. And the tipping point, publishing an irresponsible, biased article in the 5/18 Easy Reader paper condemning the actions of our City leaders and attempts to damage the Sufnars reputation.Consider the attempts made by the Sufnars, the Commissioners, the Council, the Alternate Dispute Resolution Lead all reaching out to the Stocks on several occasions to bring resolution.Again, the Stocks refusal to be cooperative or compromise.I ask the Council to not be bullied by 1 resident who is out for vengeance.As reasonable people, we all agree the improvements made by the Sufnar’s are beautiful, built and fully compliant to the code.Neighbors are not against the Stocks and are standing up for what is right as they see what has transpired here today.We all are in full support of this project.Put an end to this and allow the Sufnar’s to live in peace. I urge the City Council to Vote to DENY the Appeal and Uphold the Planning Commission Decision rendered on 3/18/21.

We are writing to you in support of our friends Matt and Cory Sufnar in regards to their recent addition to their outdoor/backyard space. We are a Redondo Beach family who has known and have become close friends with the Sufnars for greater than 12 years. We have spent countless family gatherings at their home over the years. Matt and Cory are hardworking Redondo Beach residents and professionals who are kind, considerate, generous and very much admired and respected by many in our community.

We are having a hard time understanding why their backyard has received the attention of the city council. With everything going on in our community these days, it is embarrassing to think this is how we are using our city resources. What is the point of having a building planning department and appointed planning commissioners if you do not empower them to do their jobs and uphold their decision making authority?

Up until these recent backyard renovations, when visiting the Sufnar home, we have felt safe, comfortable, protected, and private. Since their backyard space has been renovated, visiting their home and spending time in their backyard, we have had our conversations recorded by the neighbors and we have had the police called on us (their guests) multiple times due to “noise disturbances” in the middle of the day. We have felt violated by these activities initiated by their neighbors and feel that It is shameful in the context of a pandemic when most of us are working from home and schooling from home and wanting to spend more time with our friends and family outside where it is safer. Instead, it feels as though The Sufnars are being punished for improving their home’s property value while at the same time improving the quality of life for themselves and their children.

I hope you can see through all of this and allow the Sufnars to live in peace and deny this appeal. Todays appeal is just another example of their refusal to be neighborly and their vindictiveness towards the Sufnars is clearly evident.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully, D.J. and Jean Leary

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

My husband and I have been neighbors with Cory and Matt Sufnar for the past three years and are writing in support of their home improvements.
As newer residents to Redondo Beach, we could not have asked for a more likeminded, considerate, and thoughtful set of neighbors than Cory and Matt. Over the past few years, we have greatly appreciated and benefitted from their desire to both maintain the appearance of their home (You’ll often find Matt washing down the house and fence on weekends) and also creating and improving the value of our shared property.

When we first moved in, Cory sent us a list of painters, woodworkers, and remodelers – knowing that we were interested in updating our home. In the past two years, we’ve partnered to install new plants and lighting on our shared driveway. Cory also singlehandedly convinced our side neighbors that we needed to replace our shared wooden fence (that was falling into disrepair) with a lower maintenance vinyl fence. She did all the research to find high quality vendors at a reasonable cost for all four families. When we refinanced our home earlier this year, we were delighted that the collective improvements we made increased the value of our home.

Cory and Matt are also extremely considerate neighbors. Cory knew that we needed peace and quiet while we adjusted to life as parents of a newborn. Our son was 2 weeks old when her daughter had a birthday party. Fearing it would be too loud for the baby, Cory and Matt offered to put us up in a hotel so we (and the baby) could get a good night’s rest. During this remodel/improvement period, Cory and Matt have been transparent and good communicators about the work being done and the noise level for which we are very grateful.

We know that the updates and improvements Cory and Matt make are always tastefully done with the intention of improving not only the value of our property, but also the value for homes in the neighborhood. We encourage the city council to uphold the planning commission decision and oppose this appeal.