BUENA PARK : City Weighs Action on Code Violations

City officials are trying to determine what steps to take against five property owners who apparently violated city codes by building additions to their homes.

The homeowners may be forced to tear down the additions.

City officials said the homeowners violated codes by converting garages or patios into living areas.

City planning officials said that when the two-bedroom, 1,100-square-foot homes were built 25 years ago, a condition was placed that no living space could be added.

An anonymous complaint to code enforcement officials brought the additions to the city’s attention.

Mark and Patricia McKemy, who own a home, then brought the issue before the City Council last month. The couple said they faced prosecution by the city if they didn’t tear down the home’s additions, which included renovating the garage into a bedroom and the patio into a family room.

The council stopped the prosecution process until city employees could examine the matter further.

Thomas E. Lynch, director of development services, said it is doubtful that a variance would be granted to the property owners to allow them to keep the additions because it would set a precedent for others in the city.

Lynch said, however, that his department is investigating alternatives.

“We’re looking for a potential solution,” he said.

Residents said they added the living space to accommodate growing families and to make their homes more livable.

“We’re just going to wait and see what happens,” said Carol Hinds, an original homeowner.

Hinds said the patio area in her home was enclosed and converted into a family room.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to keep it,” she said.