IRVINE : Castle Owners Still at a Loss After Meeting With Officials

City officials met with Haym and Fern Ganish on Tuesday afternoon in yet another last-ditch attempt to save their castle-like home from demolition.

But Fern Ganish described the outcome of the meeting with City Atty. Joel D. Kuperberg as “very bad.” She said city officials made unreasonable financial demands for a deposit and other fees that her family cannot afford.

The Ganishes have until midnight Friday to vacate their Kron Street home under the terms of a court order issued two weeks ago. They have been battling with city officials for 13 years over the remodeling of their ranch-style home into a stone-covered castle. City officials contend the house is unsafe and in violation of state building codes.

When asked what the family’s plans are now, Fern Ganish said, “I don’t know, I really don’t know.”

Councilwoman Christina L. Shea said the city has given the Ganish family a 5 p.m. Friday deadline to submit building plans and post $100,000 to guarantee completion of the house.

“They did not accept the offer,” Shea said.

Under a warrant issued from Orange County Superior Court last month, the Ganishes must leave their home by March 10, and the city has until April 3 to demolish the house.

“They can still come forward and save the house if they do the things that the city attorney has proposed to them,” said City Manager Paul O. Brady Jr. “The ball is in their court.”

City officials took action to demolish the home after the Ganishes failed to meet numerous court- and city-imposed deadlines to submit building plans and post a bond to guarantee completion of the home. The Ganishes contend they are being unfairly harassed because of the unconventional appearance of their home.