City Probes Planning Official’s Garage

Rolling Hills Estates City Council members on Tuesday continued until July 24 the conclusion of their investigation of veteran Planning Commissioner Donald Landauer, who is accused of building a garage on his property without obtaining the necessary building permits.

“Before we do anything we want to hear his side of the story,” Councilman Peter Weber said Wednesday.

Landauer, who has been a commissioner for 11 years, did not attend the regularly scheduled council meeting. He has declined to comment on the issue.

Landauer was cited by city officials after a neighbor alerted them that no permits had been issued for a 608-square-foot garage built at least two years ago. Planning Director Richard Thompson said Landauer told him that the contractor he hired to build the structure was supposed to have obtained permits. However, a neighbor and Councilwoman Jacki McGuire say they recall seeing Landauer building the garage himself.

On Tuesday, Councilman Kenneth Servis abstained from discussing the matter because he and Landauer are friends.