AgdaPkt 2018-07-23 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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CILK-Maria Vazquez From: Karen Chew Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2018 6:45 AM To: CD -Steven Turner Subject: Re Mt Carmel Historical Study and Design Review Hello Steven We haven't met yet, but I've had the pleasure of working with staff on many projects over the years. I also used to work for the City as a Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector, under John LaTorra. I've been a building designer (since Stonehenge) and have worked on many homes in Redwood City and the Bay Area, including a few historical homes. While the idea of preserving historical sites is great to consider, we should all be wary as to how a historical determination would negatively impact homes and their homeowners. The current suite of CA Building, Zoning, and other code requirements already have a huge financial impact upon homeowners who are simply trying to improve their homes. Engineering requirements have increased, Title 24 regs require more amendments to the existing house, and the list goes on. The current process for Historical Review is pretty long and pretty frustrating because it takes such a long time to get reviews and helpful feedback. Not throwing shade at anyone, but if a homeowner is simply trying to fix a porch from dry rot damage, it makes sense to get the work done relatively soon so it doesn't become a hazard. know that the City's staffers choose not to look at costs and that it's the homeowners' responsibility, etc, but with the rising impact of housing and construction costs, these costs should really be considered. If you don't, it will affect the face and culture of the neighborhood. I've heard too many sad stories about people who had to sell because they couldn't afford the repairs. My clients, often a working couple, typically have to secure construction loans at least a year beforehand. Not everyone is a Google software engineer with stock to cash in. In other cases, homeowners are forced to fix their homes a little at a time in order, which in the end, result in the higher costs of a longer process. While it's always important to weigh the concerns of the people who are complaining about the neighborhood construction, but it's just as important if not more so, to consider the people who have homes in need of repair, wishes for expansion, and how to serve them as well. Please don't let the complaints of the few drive the need to make more restrictions and regs on the entire neighborhood. And yes, I do live in the Mt. Carmel neighborhood, on Elwood Street. We love it here, love our neighbors, and holy moly, does our house need some work. But I fear that our roof will cave in, the rats and water will come if long reviews and process must be endured for simple repairs and modest amendments. Please make the entire process simpler, easy to achieve, and even consider adjusting and/or eliminating some of the old outdated Zoning regs that create more problems in the field than not. We do recognize that the neighborhood will shift and evolve as years go by, but don't forget that it's the longtime homeowners of this neighborhood who would be most impacted. My best to you and thank you for all of your help and service for our city. It's really appreciated.