LA HABRA : Parcel Division OKd for 3 Homes on 2 Lots

A homeowner has received permission to split two parcels of land into three so that he can build two more homes, something neighbors had fought for years.

City Council members last week upheld a Planning Commission decision allowing Rick Evans to divide his land.

The council’s 3-2 vote rejected an appeal made by the neighbors who wanted the council to reverse the Planning Commission’s approval.

The neighbors said they opposed having three homes on a hill at Park Way. The homes, they said, would cause mud sliding problems and lower the property values of surrounding homes.

“I don’t want three homes there,” said Frank Mejia, who lives below the Park Way lots. “I’m against (the lot split). I hate the way it’s going to look.”

Alfredo Mejia, who lives next door to his brother, Frank, added: “It’s going to be a hell of a mess.”

Another neighbor argued that the creation of the three irregularly shaped lots is not consistent with the city’s General Plan and that the Mejias’ properties would be damaged by dirt and mud from the construction.

Evans, who already has one home on the lots, said he plans to build two more homes. He promised to install a retaining wall so mud won’t slide into the Mejias’ properties.

Councilmen Steven Anderson and Juan Garcia sided with the neighbors and voted against the split. They said dividing the land would be inconsistent with the neighborhood.

Councilman William D. Mahoney said that Evans’ plan would enhance the neighborhood: “I think the Mejias, once this is done, would probably not find it as objectionable as they think it’s going to be.”