IRVINE : Fate of ‘Castle’ Home Remains Up in the Air

Haym and Fern Ganish met with city officials for more than two hours Friday afternoon seeking a compromise to save their castle-like home from the wrecking ball, but the outcome of the meeting was not disclosed.

Irvine Mayor Michael Ward said the city has agreed to a request made by the Ganishes to not comment on the discussions.

Fern Ganish also declined comment but said she did not anticipate another meeting with city officials.

The Ganishes have been at odds with the city for 13 years over the on-and-off remodeling of their ranch-style home on Kron Street into a stone-covered castle.

An Orange County Superior Court judge last week refused to block the city from demolishing the home after Fern Ganish failed to meet a court-imposed deadline for filing building plans and a $50,000 bond.

Haym Ganish refused to take part in the court judgment, in which his wife pleaded no-contest to criminal charges of failing to bring the house into compliance with state building codes.

After meeting in closed-session Tuesday night, the City Council agreed to meet once again with the Ganishes. Ward and Councilwoman Paula Werner met with them Friday in the Costa Mesa offices of City Atty. Joel D. Kuperberg.

City Manager Paul O. Brady Jr. said late Friday afternoon he had no information about the meeting. But he emphasized that the city did not relinquish its rights to demolish the house by agreeing to meet with the Ganishes.

“Nothing was going to change the action of the court,” Brady said. “We have said that if any change to the current standing didn’t take place prior to Feb. 14, then the demolition could take place.”