| |
| |
|
Home Improvement Information |
|
|
|
To Picket Fences
Of the 359 homeowners in my area, 112 are running afoul of the law in a deviously blatant way by committing the heinous "fence offence;" in other words, breaching Los Angeles municipal code sections 12.21 and 12.22 which limit front yard fence and hedge height to a maximum 3 ˝ feet above grade. Now that's a lot of criminal activity for one neighborhood. With their pens and pads, my investigative team--three 17-year-old, out-of-work babysitters--scoured my neighborhood in search of scoundrels and found one very troublesome woman. This 74 year old widow named Barbara gave them a suspicious story about how her "charming wooden slats" were installed unknowingly by her otherwise law-abiding husband in 1987. My detectives measured the "offensive picket" at a full four feet -rather than the legal 3 ˝ -- above grade. When pressed, Barbara confessed that she had just received a letter from the L.A. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo asking her to "appear for a City Attorney hearing to determine if a criminal complaint should be issued against (her)... for an alleged (fence) violation." "It's a stressful situation," Barbara says. "It makes me feel like a felon. Shouldn't there be a statute of limitations on fences that have been in place for so long?" Fence snitches are on the rise, according to some local representatives. Meddlesome neighbors or quality of life protectors, depending upon ones perspective, protest fences by calling the city's toll free number anonymously to tattle on their neighbors for wrought-iron, chain link and hedge indiscretions. Barbara's picket caught the attention of authorities when complainants tipped off the Department of Building and Safety to another neighbor's fence. A dozen families on the street received the ominous code violation letter. My investigative crew told me to grab my polygraph and interrogation spotlight, and scurry to Barbara's home for a "Guantanamo Bay style" probe. But when I arrived, I took pity on the wide-eyed senior, hinting "Have you ever seen Leonardo DiCaprio's movie, "Catch Me If You Can?" Of course, I would never advise Barbara to creep further into the recesses of crime by snubbing Mr. Delgadillo and tossing the violation notice in the trash. And I would hate for the fence fiasco to culminate in a showdown at a dusty printing warehouse in France, all on the taxpayers' dime. But I wondered-- merely as a philosophical exercise--what would the city do if she were a "no show" at the hearing? How would the city react if Barbara faxed them a list of the other 111 high fences in our neighborhood, or better yet, the tens of thousands in L.A,? Two things are certain: it would take a lot of out-of-work babysitters to compile the list, and it would start a revolution. Homeowners would not be willing to dismantle fences that cost them thousands of dollars to construct. Whistle-blowing Barbara could then create a directory of every property with any sort of code violation. In fact, we have one now: it's called the phone book. As a Realtor for the past 17 years, I have never sold a home that complies with every Building and Safety rule. There are enclosed patios and guest houses that are not "built to code;" there are water heaters, roofs and air conditioners that have been installed without permits. It can be illegal to park too many vehicles in the driveway or store too many items in the garage. Due to a number of break-ins in the area, Barbara wants to retain her picket for security. Fence proponents tout other benefits, such as increased privacy and the flexibility to transform front yards into grassy play areas for kids and pets, especially when pools swallow up the rear of a lot. Hill-adjacent properties as well as those that have succumbed to expansion or mansionization may not have room for a yard without enclosing the front. Too many years have passed and too many fences have been built for Los Angeles to attempt a perilous, impractical and costly u-turn back to the "Leave it to Beaver" days when neighborhoods had unobstructed front lawns. One third of all home-owning Angelenos cannot and should not be inputted into a "fence offender database." The Barbaras of this city should not be frightened by official notices, turned into scofflaws and labeled "casualties of the process," as one fence snitch calls her. The city could encourage residents to drape existing fences with greenery to capture the pastoral quality of the yesteryear or require them to contribute $100 annually to a neighborhood beautification fund in return for the right to ignore the law. The city could even change the law to accommodate higher fences and mature hedges; after all, an owner has paid for her front yard, so she should, within reason, be able to use it as she pleases. The "fence" controversy has traveled beyond Los Angeles to the California communities of Burbank, Santa Monica, Richmond, and Glendale where angry homeowners have flocked to city council meetings-often breaking attendance records--to voice their dissatisfaction with what they perceive to be arcane and restrictive rules. The issue is likely to continue weaving its way across America since most communities limit front-yard fence heights to three to four feet while property owners routinely disregard the laws. As I said good-bye to infamous L.A. picket, Barbara whispered in my ear. "Don't tell Mr. Delgadillo, but I wish my fence were higher. Then I could take out my trash in my nightie." I nodded, "Why should a person have to get dressed just to walk out her own front door?" Charlotte Laws is a member of the Greater Valley Glen Council, a Realtor in Los Angeles and an author. To see her other articles, go to http://www.CharlotteLaws.org To comment on this article, go to her blog at http://charlottelaws.typepad.com If you need to buy or sell real estate in the U.S. and need a referral, contact Charlotte through her real estate website at http://www.YourTopBroker.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Used But Not Used Up Some DIY Maintence will put Used tools back in Main Stream Operation:Professional grade tools are made to withstand long hours of use and abuse. Many home shops have a number of Professional grad tools but for the most part most home shops have tools that are some what less in quality. Whats Underfoot? A Quick Guide to Patio Surfaces Patios and terraces have always been popular outdoor spaces. Whether a Parisian courtyard or a rooftop alcove, only porches and sunrooms beat out these paved (or semi-paved) retreats in a recent survey of my readers as the most ideal outside living space. Heart of the Home It started with my need for a new mixer. OK. Log Homes - Is a Log Home In Your Future? Many people dream about a log home in their future but never get around to making their dream come true. Here's how to get past the hurdles and start living your dream. Home Remodeling: Colors and Temperature Perception Colors contain underlying psychological meanings and evoke particular feelings when we see them. All of us have preconceived notions, learned from childhood memories and family customs concerning colors. Air Sanders: Forget Electric, Go Air! An air sander is a common air tool often overlooked by most people. If you already have an air compressor to run your impact wrench, you may consider purchasing an air sander instead of an electric model. How to Be Your Air Conditioner's Best Friend There are a few things you can do to take care of your air conditioner and make its life a little longer and a little easier.How does your air conditioner work? Simply stated, an air conditioning unit removes heat from the air and blows it outside with an outdoor fan. How To Choose Decorative, Recessed Locking Mailboxes Do you need a decorative, quality, recessed locking mailboxfor your home? There is a large selection of mailboxes fromwhich to choose, and you may wonder which is the rightmailbox for you. A recessed locking mailbox is a perfectway to keep your mail safe from prying eyes, and can beinstalled on the exterior of your home or as part of afreestanding mailbox. Planning Permission Tips UK - Agricultural Plots of Land for Sale - The Latest Mug Punter Scam? The first part of most years brings a flurry of trade shows aimed at the public & trade alike such as The Ideal Home Show, Interiors & just recently the Building Exhibition at the NEC. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of new gadgets & Gizmos (along with the usual tat) that companies invent for our consumption. Can You Buy Luxury Home Brands Online and Save - Worry Free? Are you frustrated with the high prices you've been quoted for luxury home decor?What if you could safely take advantage of the great selection and value of online shopping for home decor items that are normally $1,000, $5,000, even $10,000?Here's some great news for people who need to bring their new dream home or home renovation costs under control.Multitudes are making the most of their dollars by shopping for bathtubs, bath fixtures, fireplaces, and kitchen fixtures online with "customer first" outlet sites. 5 Window Treatment Ideas To Improve Your Home Coming up with interesting window treatment ideas thatbring out the best in your windows as they bring in thesunshine, is a challenge to anyone with a yen to decorate.There are tons of non-traditional options and tips to makethe most of what you have, and give your windows thatmillion dollar look on a mostly discount budget. Research Concerning Color in Homes and Workplaces Over the years, many studies have been done in countries around the world to try to discover how human color preferences affect the choices we make in decorating our homes and workplaces, and one dominant fact has consistently emerged: our choice of colors seems to be based largely on the intended use of the space, whether it's in our homes or at our places of business. Here are a few of the findings from various studies:A Japanese study found that people prefer warm colors in the interiors of their homes, which was mirrored by a study in England, although the English were a bit more eclectic, preferring warm colors in their bedrooms and neutral colors in their living rooms. Installing Vinyl Siding - Making It Simple Installing vinyl siding can be a very rewarding process that could dramatically change the appearance of your home. For the most part, if you plan your job well and adhere to some simple guide lines, anyone could learn how to install siding to there home. Buying The Right Comforter For Your Bed Putting the right comforter on your bed can make the whole bedroom look fabulous. Comforters are the most visible of all the bedding pieces, so when you change the comforter you make a large change in the decor of the bedroom itself. Contractor Referral "As a contractor with 16 years of experience and speaking on behalf of professional contractors. I want people to be aware of the warning signs that they may be dealing with the wrong contractor. Aluminium Conservatories The conservatory is a popular addition to homes around the world and in particular in colder climates. Conservatories began their existence in the 1700s as Dutch farmers looked to find ways of protecting their plants during the colder winter months. Would You Steel Your Household Appliances Would you steel your appliances? That is a question many consumers are now asking themselves.The "in" style -----------------------Stainless steel household appliances are the "in" style right now. How to Buy a Home with Good Feng Shui Buying a home is usually a stressful experience. So much rides on a new home because this is where you relax, have fun, sleep, eat; in short, it's the place central to your life. Tips on Ladder Safety PLACEMENT?Ladders should be placed so each side rail is on level and firm footing so the ladder is rigid, stable and secure.?Boxes, loose bricks, or other loose packing should not support the side rails. Building Wood Stairs Building a set of wood stairs is not nearly as hard as you may think. With some basic wood tools and a bit of algebra you can easily build your own.
|
| Home | Site Map | Free Home Improvement information | Free Home Improvement Tips | Remodel Your Home Here | Free Home Improvement information | Home interior decorate |
| © 2007 |
