Dream retirement turns into mansion-sized nightmare I...

Dream retirement turns into mansion-sized nightmare

I am writing to warn other Burbank property owners about what

happened to me -- a longtime property owner on Keystone. I would hate

like the dickens to see any other property owner faced with my

predicament.

A new building code was passed in Burbank, effective June 22, I

understand, that requires any new home construction to have a

five-foot sideyard setback. But, woe is me, my next door neighbors to

the north have managed to sidestep that requirement because their

building permit was approved before June 22, I was told by the

Burbank Planning Department.

Therefore, their new two-story, 4,000-square-foot big box of a

house will sit approximately three feet from the property line

between us. I will likely not be able to see even the sky, much less

the hills, from my nice little kitchen garden window. This huge house

will be totally out of character for the street and it will dwarf my

little 1,300-square-foot bungalow.

The entire house and garage have been demolished over the past

weeks -- subjecting me to an incredible amount of dust, dirt, glass,

nails, debris including workmen’s trash, and instead of a view of the

hills, I now have a view of a blue portable toilet, trash, etc. Part

of their old wall (the old wood framing and foundation) remains

standing, propped up, next to my little driveway.

I have been informed by the Planning Department that I am helpless

to do anything about it -- unless their old foundation is removed

alongside my driveway. If that is removed, then the sideyard setback

has to be five feet. So maybe I should stay up nights to watch for

that possibility. I know for certain that with a brand-new

4,000-square-foot house going up, that little old foundation is not

-- repeat not -- going to remain as part of such a large and

expensive undertaking.

So, listen to my warning. My nice little bungalow will now be next

to this monstrosity three feet away from the property line. My faith

in Burbank city government has been shattered and I am in despair

about this situation. And there is nothing I can do about it. My

planned retirement of enjoying my nice little Burbank bungalow just

above Glenoaks Boulevard has turned into a nightmare.

CHARLOTTE HOPWOOD

Burbank

Park walking now a treacherous endeavor

I don’t usually wear a construction worker’s hard hat and take an

anti-anxiety pill prior to taking my dog for a walk in the park, but

now it’s a must. Ralph Foy Park has become a sports battlefield with

hundreds of soccer players of all ages kicking with authority. Ball

are kicked at an estimated 40 to 65 mph into the picnic area and into

the sandy swing and slide area where children ages 1 to 7 play.

The other danger are the hockey pucks being hit over the two short

north/south fence and into the path of persons walking in the park.

Last month, I was struck on the right side of my head when a

soccer player kicked a ball from a distance of 10 feet, which caused

me to black out. But our very fine paramedics and police department

responded to check it out.

During the past year, I’ve written to our City Council and I’ve

talked with parks and recreation in an attempt to provide the soccer

players with the huge north half of the park with no soccer at the

small area west of the soccer arena and east of the picnic area, the

children’s sandy area. I’ve had meetings with more than 100 hockey

players and spectators who agree, as I do, the rink fence must be

extended upward to stop the puck danger.

Burbank is noted for its excellent police department, fire

department, school system and all-around safety.

We don’t want those happy faces of the youngsters in the sandy

play area to become photographs displayed at a memorial service.

TALBERT KANIGHER

Burbank