Article from Spring 2008 Newsletter

Planning Land Use Mangagement Committee (PLUM ) Sends proposed 
Baseline Mansionization Ordinance to City Council.

On January 8, the Planning Land Use Mangagement Committee (PLUM )
voted to send the proposed Baseline Mansionization Ordinance to the 
full City Council.

After many months of public public scrutiny and debate, the proposed 
Baseline Mansionization Ordinance was calendared for a vote by the 
Committee.  Our Councilperson, Jack Weiss, although previously 
cknowledged that the vast majority of his constituents (including your 
Homeowners Association) were in favor of the proposal,  continued to 
question what he characterized as it's "One Size Fits All" concept.  
He acknowledged that the Proposed Ordinance addresses the concerns of 
most homeowners in the City, but cautioned that it might have an 
adverse effect on the interests of the very rich and the very poor. 
Chairman Ed Reyes answered Mr. Weiss, saying that it is not "One Size 
Fits All", pointing out that it provides a "Baseline" and that 
Councilperson Weiss' numerous points had been adequately addressed by 
Staffs and the City Attorney.

Councilperson Weiss finally said he would "not stand in the way" and 
would defer to the wishes of Chairman Reyes to "move [the proposed 
ordinance] on to the full Council".   Nevertheless, Councilman Weiss 
submitted three amendments, all of which will go to the Council.  He 
promised that he would not vote for the proposed ordinance unless all 
three amendments are adopted.  Councilman Weiss's amendments are: 1)  
a mechanism making it "easy" for neighborhoods to opt out of the 
Baseline; 2)  an administrative mechanism for "minor" variances; and
3)  a "Green" bonus for environmentally responsible houses .

At the request of Councilperson Weiss, the CLA was instructed to 
provide a "thumbnail" report on the economic impact of the proposed 
ordinance.  Councilperson Huizar said he was concerned that the City 
coffers would take a hit at a time of budget crisis.  Councilperson 
Weiss agreed.

Councilperson Huizar offered an  amendment that would provide for 
"relief" for exceptionally large lots.

Although we are pleased to inform our membership that PLUM voted 
unanimously to move the proposed ordinance on to the full Council, 
that move has not been made because Councilperson Weiss's suggested 
economic impact report is still under review.  Nevertheless, 
Councilperson Weiss office assures us that he is trying to move this 
proposal toward passage.

Your Neighborhood Preservation Committee will continue to monitor the 
progress of this important proposal and will do whatever possible to 
get an up or down vote by the City Council.  We are cautiously 
optimistic that the Council will vote in favor of a Baseline 
Mansionization Ordinance.

For more information about the Proposed Ordinance, go to www.cheviothills.org

Steve Moyer
Member of the Board and Chair,
Neighborhood Preservaton Committee