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Hello,
Please see the attached document in response to the upcoming hearing on 10/17/24 concerningthe request for extension of permit No. X2018-3245 at 540 Hazel Dr., Corona del Mar.
Thank you.
Julie Means949-945-3318544 Hazel Dr.,Corona del Mar
Hearing Officer - October 17, 2024
Item 2c - Additional Materials Received 540 Hazel Drive - Three-Year Construction Extension Limit
Dear City Council and Officials,
As the owner of the property immediately adjacent to 540 Hazel Drive, Corona del Mar, I
respectfully request that you deny the extension of a three-year permit, No. X2018-3245. Due to
the extremely high volume of images, videos, documents and all of the damage that has taken
place and continues to take place during this construction process, it would be difficult to include
all of it here. I have outlined the top 21 items that I believe should be given consideration in
terms of the extension.*
1.The owners and builder have already received a one-year extension.There have
been a total of FOUR YEARS for this project to be completed. Construction has
been underway for 1,316 days. March 11, 2021 to October 17, 2024. They’re asking for
another 365 days. That will equal 1,681 days total.
2.Damage began on day 1 and continues today. While it has been 1,316 days of
“construction” on their project it has been 1,316 of destruction for my neighbors and my
family.
3.Demolition caused damage to my property on day 1- Tight Quarters demolished the
existing structure at 540 Hazel, a beach cottage. As the backhoe was breaking the
structure, it broke the brick fireplace, which then crashed through my fence and
wall and landed in my pool. A pipe also went through my fence.When they pulled
the pipe back through my fence they caused additional damage. When they were ripping
out the vegetation at the front of 540, they broke my fence in additional locations at the
corner that joins with my fence along the street and the front fence itself.
Mr. Terry told the inspector he would replace my fence. Nothing has been done.
4. Damage to my wall from drilling/potential undermining of my soil and property:
The owners and the builder approached me and said they wanted to remove my “inferior
wall” as the builder termed it during the summer of 2021. They wanted to install the
caissons and drill closer to their property line. While trying to come to a mutual, positive
resolution for both parties,I hired an attorney to ensure proper protocol was followed.
This was during divorce proceedings so the other property owner of 544 at the time
needed to be kept apprised of the situation; The total cost was $11,000 for my attorney.
However, they stopped communicating in the middle of the process and let their attorney
go. My attorney sent communication to the owners, but there was no response. They
broke the bricks on my wall to accommodate their drill. They proceeded without
agreement and dug out underneath my property with a backhoe. I believe my property
may be sinking or could potentially sink and cause damage to my home because of this
negligent action. Documentation from my attorney will be presented at the hearing.
5.Cement shot all over my home/landscaping caused damage - While pouring
concrete in 2023, there was a kink in the hose and they shot cement all over my home,
including the windows. When they “cleaned” the cement from my dining room windows,
Hearing Officer - October 17, 2024 Item 2c - Additional Materials Received
540 Hazel Drive - Three-Year Construction Extension Limit
the hardened cement scratched the glass. The glass needs to be replaced. The cement
also went all over my home and onto my landscaping.
6.Stucco damage and debris all over home/landscaping/property and in the pool -
When they coated the structure with stucco in 2024, once again they got it all over my
windows, my trees, my home, my pool, etc. There is still stucco on my windows and my
screens, on my bricks and landscape. One of the workers was throwing the extra stucco
onto my home and palm trees. When I asked him to stop, and pointed out what was
happening, he said it wasn’t, as that’s what the screen was for. He was throwing it over
and through the screen.
7.Unsafe DEBRIS in pool and on property- There has been a continuous stream of
debris in my pool, on my property and on my house.Today there is styrofoam and plastic
in my yard; sharp metal, plastic and stucco debris in my pool. The metal left rust stains
on the pool plaster, which may need to be redone.
8.ILLEGAL and Unsafe practices - Trespassing occurred on my property when I was out
of town for my dad’s funeral. While I was gone, paper debris fell onto my property. One
of the workers trespassed into my courtyard next to the pool to retrieve it, without
permission. I found out only because the camera on my home alerted me.
9.Illegal blocking of my driveway on numerous occasions and driving the wrong
way on a one-way street - There have been multiple times that construction equipment
and work trucks have blocked my driveway. This is illegal. There are also frequently
trucks and equipment driving the wrong way on our one-way street. This is unsafe,
especially as small children, the elderly and numerous dogs live on our street.
10.Contentious and abusive - requests not answered; subs told to tell me to “call the
police” to deal with issues. The builder will not answer my calls. The owner said that the
builder has blocked my phone number. Owners will not respond to my texts or phone
calls. Project Manager Scott Allen yelled at me.
11.Builder rarely onsite. He is there only when the owners are there (rarely) or when the
inspector is there. His vehicle is registered in Idaho, and when I’ve tried to get in touch
with him, the owner has said he was in Idaho.
12.Owners rarely onsite unless there is an inspection.This indicates a complete lack of
interest or care, especially after all the communication that has been sent to them by
their neighbors.
13.Inadequate Work Crews - Work crews typically consist of 1-2 individuals; unless the
owners are there. Then a full crew shows up for a day or two. Construction is sporadic.
Hearing Officer - October 17, 2024 Item 2c - Additional Materials Received
540 Hazel Drive - Three-Year Construction Extension Limit
14.Unsafe work practices.I am concerned that one of their workers will fall onto my
property and get hurt, as they do not use safe practices. There are no harnesses or
safety equipment utilized.
15.Damage from improper screening and scaffolding - The neighbors on the other side
and I both asked for a protective screen to be put in place, due to all the debris and dust
that was landing on our properties from the construction. They did not immediately
respond. When they did, the screen was not properly installed. On two separate
occasions, the material broke loose from the scaffolding, whipped against my house and
onto my roof and into the pool, and weighed on top of my lighting surrounding my
courtyard. While whipping against my property and the scaffolding, chunks of cement
were being broken off and hitting my home and landing on my property and in my pool.
The material smothered my home to such a degree that I couldn’t see out of my
windows. After the first time this happened, I spoke to Scott Allen about it potentially
happening again when high winds were forecast. He ignored this.
16.Screen removal damage and danger - When the scaffolding and screening were
removed, the worker cut the metal clips and let them fly onto my property and into my
pool. This was very dangerous to have sharp metal flying through the air, as my family
and I and my dog could have been outside. It landed in my pool and caused rust stains.
The screening was also hanging over my property, onto my landscaping and damaging
it.
17.Vibrational and sound damage from drilling - The decibels for safe surroundings
were exceeded numerous times during the drilling process, potentially affecting my
hearing. Additionally, my home was shaking and there may be subsequent cracking or
settling due to this.
18.Environmental damage - the amount of trash, debris, food waste and especially
styrofoam that have been allowed to blow around, or go into Buck Gully or the street,
into the drains and out into the ocean is immense. The damage it may have caused to
our beautiful and important environment is immeasurable.
19.Complaints filed with the City of Newport Beach in August, 2024 - I filed a complaint
about the damage, destruction and debris continuing on a daily basis in August, 2024. I
followed up with Rick LaBare and Jonathan Munoz. Jonathan came to my home and
saw the damage and debris. Despite this, the crews at 540 did not change their practice
of cutting stone for 5 days. This dust was on all surfaces of my home, in my pool and my
dog suffered from its effects and needed veterinary care. I developed a cough from the
dust.
20.Unsafe working/living conditions - The construction at 540 has had negative effects
on the health, safety and ability to earn income for me and my family. My family and I
have lived through four years of damage, abuse, noise, dust, debris, unsafe construction
Hearing Officer - October 17, 2024 Item 2c - Additional Materials Received
540 Hazel Drive - Three-Year Construction Extension Limit
practices, disrespect and trash littering our neighborhood. I work from home, writing and
editing. It is very difficult to work and conduct zoom calls and phone meetings when
workers are yelling, throwing construction material down, playing loud music, damaging
my property and being disrespectful. I was also the president of the Corona del Mar PTA
at the beginning of construction and our Zoom calls and meetings were frequently
interrupted by the construction. My daughter and son have found it challenging to work
on homework, school projects, college applications and college projects.
21.The stress this project has caused us is immense and has affected our physical
and mental health.
For all these reasons and more, my family and I respectfully request that this extension be
denied.
We would prefer to see an actual LOCAL builder take over, than to continue with this nightmare.
If the project continues, we would like to see more responsible building practices take place,
that the time be limited to no longer than December 2024, that fines be imposed if damage
occurs and that good neighbor practices prevail.
We also request that all damage be brought to the attention of the owners and builder and
remediated.
Thank you.
*Please note: I will be sending and/or presenting images as well, either via email or at the
hearing scheduled for October 17. I also state that all damages may not be listed in this
document, as some are listed in documents from my attorney, and in documents previously
provided to the City of Newport Beach. Additionally, it remains to be seen what the full damage
has been or will be from the construction of 540 as it is not yet complete.
Hearing Officer - October 17, 2024 Item 2c - Additional Materials Received
540 Hazel Drive - Three-Year Construction Extension Limit