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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS - 09102004 - 71-328 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Re : Abatement, property of} RESOLUTIO14 No. 71/328_ Estate of Margaret A. T. Lydiksen } )Resolution of Nuisance & Abatement Building Inspector Abatement } (Cal.Adm.Code §17014.5) #3-D- ... 1,977 ) The Contra Costs. County Board of Supervisors RESOLVES THAT: 1. This Board's records show that (a) the County Building Inspector. , acting pursuant to the County Ordinance Code in accor- dance with Sections 203 and H-1001-H-1002 of the Uniform Building Code , Volume III, and Sections 17014 et seq. of Title VIII of the California Administrative Cade , determined that the buildings and/or improvement(s) located at Canyon, California, the subject of the above-mentioned Building Inspector Abatement Preceeding, and located on that real property described as set forth in "Exhibit B, 'attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference , are substandard and therefore a. public nuisance;, and (b) the Building Inspector posted said property with ?notice of Substandard Building and/or Improvements and duly noti ii the owned vhereof that they are substandard, as appears more particularly from the declaration of the Building Inspector on file herein. 2. Those buildings and/or improvement(s) have not been repaired or removed as required by the Notice of Substandard Buildings and/or Improvement(s) ; and the Building; Inspector thereafter posted said property with Notice to Abate Nuisance , specifying the time and place of a hearing before this Board for the property owners to show cause why the buildings and/or improvement(s) should not be condemned as a public nuisance, and the Building Inspector duly notified the owners of the hearing as appears more particularly from his declaration on file herein 3. This matter came on regularly for hearing by this Board as provided in the notice, and on November 12, 1969, this Board, pur- suant to the request of owners or occupants of the subject buildings or improvements , duly referred the :matter for hearing; to the County :Hearing Officer,, and after hearings on this case and related matters the Hearin, Officer filed his corrected report with this Board, a copy of which, marked "ExhibitA'` is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. 4 . The Board today adapted the Hearing Officer's corrected report and the findings and recommendations therein. 5. This Board now finds that said buildings and/or improvements are substandard as defined in. Sections H--1001 and H -1002 of the Uniform Building Code, Volume III, by reason of the deficiencies set forth in `'Exhibit A`' which are hereby found to exist , and said buildings and/or improvement(s) are declared to be a public nuisance and the owners thereof are hereby ordered to abate said nuisance within 30 days after a copy of this resolution, together with notice thereof, has been posted on said property. 6. This Board concludes that said buildings and/or improve- ment(s) cannot be reconstructed or repaired in a manner so as to comply with the provisions of law cited above and therefore they rust be razed and removed, and if said nuisance is not abated within the time allowed, the Building Inspector shall abate it and the expense thereof shall be a lien upon the land inion which said build- ings and/or improvement(s) are located. PASSED ANIS ADOPTED on . AW1p RESOLUTION No. 71L328 28 _ ......... ......... ........_____......... .._...._. .... ........ ......... ......... ......... ... ...... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ... ........ ......... . _........ ....._.. .._..... ..................................................... CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HEARING OFFICER DAVID J. LEVY April 20, 1971 DIRECT CORRESPONDENCE! CONCORD OLVD. AT ORANT STA--ret CIVIL SERVICE HEARINGS- CONCORO. CALIFORNIA 0411" ROOM 109, ADMINISTRATION BLOO. ►HONIL A+il.2440 _ P.O. BOX 791 EXHIBIT "A" PHONE CALIFORNIA 94583 PHONE 419.220.3000, EXT. 2011 RETIREMENT BOARD HEARINGS. ROOM 102, FINANCE BUILDING MARTINEZ, CALIFORNIA 94593 PHONE 419.228.3000, EXT. 1391 Honorable Chairman and Members Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors FW. County Administration Building Martinez , California T, PAASCH RE: CA ?YON ABATE' 'MMT PROCEEDINGS CLERK 00ARD OF SUPEPIvISORS Report. o Hearing Micer CON,r.PA cd,-rA t. B �!sk: 4r N1 rr.y rrtc Gentlemen: Pursuant to your resolution of November 12, 1969 , hearings on abatement of the sixteen structures herein described were referred to the undersigned as County Hearing Officer. There is submitted herewith a report of these proceedings , summary of the evidence, findings , conclusions and recommendations. The County acting through the Building Inspector was designated as Petitioner and was represented by Arthur W. Walenta, Deputy County Counsel. The residents and landowners were designated as Respondents and were represented by William Bennett, Attorney. One resident repre- sented himself, one property owner was not represented. INTRODTICTION These proceedings involve a combination of legal, constitutional, economic and sociological issues, all of whic, are of utmost concern to the individual residents , the people of the County of Contra Costa and your Honorable Board as their representatives. The hearings were conducted publicly and informally at the con- venience of the residents , property owners , counsel and the Hearing Officer. They extended over a period of a year and entailed an es- timated 100 hours of testimony. The proceedings were reported by a court reporter retained at the request of the respective parties and not on the order of the Hearing Officer. There has been no order :Eo: a complete transcript of the proceedings. All parties Isere permitted to testify and to present witnesses and relevant evidence. In addi- tion, the I;earing Officer viewed all the premises that are subject to the proceedings. The format agreed upon by the parties was to have the Deputy Building Inspector: describe the location and posting of each parcel E-,kr�7: 7i,Fit FF J1. tr e -2- with 111INTotice of Substandard Buildin .°' The notice contained a list of aIle-,ad deficiencies , a description of ty;'le real p opci erty a-., evidence of service either by mail or personal delivery. Thee was similar evidence of posting "Notice to abate nuisance" on the respective pa.rceis. without ad;nittir, the allegations in �e described notices , it was stipulated on behalf of t'ie owners and residents that the described notices had been regularly posted or mailed as set forth in the exhibit, submitted in behalf of each respective parcel. At the outset , it was evident by statements of residents and their counsel that the abatement proceedin s were considered personal in nature, a violation of the equal protection provisions of the Constitution and aimed at removing homes of people because of their dress , appearance or activities. During the entire proceedings , there was ample evidence that a number of the residents , not only described themselves , were described by others, and appeared to be "non-conformists" as to their dress and mode of living. In deciding, the issues, your Hearing Officer has suanarily dismissed these factors from his considerations and is basing this report and recommendation solely on the factual evidence of the buildings , and their construction, subject to the efforts of the residents and landowners to comply with the word and spirit~ of the ordinances adopted by the Board of Super- visors. RESPC2NDLh"TS ' (RESIDENTS & PPtiOPBP�T1 Ov'hI'LS POSITION At the outset, the Respondents raised legal issues as follows: 1. The Board of Supervisors has no enforcement power. 2. The burden of proving violations is upon the County. 3. The evidence that was to be presented was unlawfully obtained. 4. The ordinances were being applied discriminatorily. 5. The residents of Canyon have the right to live their way of life unless the method of life is unhealthy or dangerous. 6. The structures as erected and maintained contribute to conservation in the area, and, 7. They objected to the entire proceedings. The Petitioner (Building Inspector) actin; through Mr. Walenta, Deputy County Counsel, filed a ,general ar ument in response to the position taken by Respondents. Tie argues that no building permits were issued for any of the buildings and that all of them have long lists of deficiencies. Ite describes the Respondents ' conduct as an attempt to harass , hamper and intimidate. the County to keep it from enforcing in Canyon the code provisions that apply to the rest of the County. During the hearings , the residents made similar charges that the County and its agents were attempting to harass and intimidate them. Both parties argue that they are interested in "Conservation," one side wishes to conserve Canyon by saving it from development , the other to save it from the use to which the Respondents are putting it. 2, E APR 2 11971 D, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY BUILDING INSPECTOR -3_ mr. 'Bennett- , Attorney for the residents and homeowners, did not file a written ar u-mant. Considerable emotions were aroused by the invcstiat:�ons leadinU up to the abatement proceed--nZ,;. An automobile :i_t.�n i% on trey of a Denuiy Building Inspector was re�-�oved :prom his car and an c.u+.o- mobile i-nitioA.n wire was 3:emoved. .Late l 7�gnition ICc'y 7c'ls returned. 4n another date, in 19610 two County vehicles had the air removed from seven tires and the ignition wires removed. Nails were driven into automobile tires resul-t'."ng in Mat tires. On one occasion, a camera was removed from the Inspectors ' automobile but it was returned. A resident carried a shogun on occasion, however, there was no direct threats with it. On one occasion when notices were posted, the Building Inspector had a large number of Sheriff's deputies present. The premises involved were all unfenced. The Building Inspector gained his evidence from observations made from outside the buildings. The Health Officer made inspections with the Deputy Building Inspector however, no written health reports were made or filed. The occupants of the various structures vary in occupation from laboring carpenters through the professions ofengineering a 6 teaching. All the occupants were relatively young with none appearing to be over 40 years old. With the exception of the public officials who inves- tigated and testified, there was no direct evidence of complaints against the structures from the immediate public or residents in the neighborhood. RESPONSE TO LEGAL ISSUES RAISED Mf RESPONDENTS Separate "'yore considering the individual sites, it is possible to rule on the Respondents' legal objections. I. The Board of Supervisors has the power to abate structures that are determined to be a nuisance. 2. The burden is upon the County to prove that the various ZX structures are a nuisance. 0 1- 3. Evidence of illegal searches or seizures was insufficient to make the evidence inadmissable. x cQ 4. The applicable ordinances are not being applied discrimi- natorily. ` w- =' S. The residents of Canyon have the right to live their own Z C way of life so long as it is not in violation of applicable U latus and ordinances. 6. Conservation of natural resources is not an issue for or against the Respondents. The discussions and recommendations made in this report are directed specifically to the abatement proceedings before the Board of Supervisors. I\'o recommendation or opinion is expressed relative E r1 2 _........ ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ........_.....1.111. ... ........... ......... . ........ ........... ....... .... ..... .. ....... ......... ......... ......... .....1111. ... ......... ... ....... ........11.11 ..... ........ ......... _. .111.1................... 4 - to misdemeanor violations of the building codes or whether there is evidence that they have or have not been committed. WITNESSES The County's witnesses included the Deputy Building Inspector, the County Building Inspector and Deputy Health Inspector. Respondent's witnesses were most of the residents who were involved, some landowners, residents whose property was not involved, an architect, interested persons who were knowledgeable on the general availability of housing in Contra Costa County and sub-standard hous- ing in other areas of the County, the County Supervisor for the Dis- trict, THE GENERAL AREA Canyon is a rural area located in the southwest portion of Contra Costa County. Its terrain is predom%nately steep, with numerous trees and heavy undergrowth. It lacks streets , curbs and gutters , access is gained by the paved county road described as Redwood Highway. The area is zoned for residential use, minimum site size is one-half acre. In the vicinity of the properties, there are other established homes, electric power service is available, some of the established homes have septic tanks and there is an existing Moraga Water District. None of the sites subject to the proceedings is on a paved road. OTHER ABATEMENTS Respondents submitted evidence to show that there were other buildings in Contra Costa County that were substandard and had not been abated. There was no substantial evidence to show these struc- tures had come to the attention of the Building Inspector or that they had been allowed while the Respondents were singled out for abate- ment. The Respondents requested and received a list of structures subject to abatement proceedings instigated by the Building Inspector. The list is quite formidable and refutes the contention of the Respondents that there was discrimination against their structures and other substandard structures were ignored. ORDINANCES AND CODES There was received in evidence the County Ordinances adopting the Uniform Plumbing Code, 1967 edition; the Uniform Building Code , Vol. III (Housing) , 1967 edition; Uniform Building Code,, 1967 edition, Volume I; Uniform Mechanical Code, 1967 edition. The following is a detailed analysis of each structure set forth in the original referral from the Board of Supervisors. FINDINGS OF FACT AS TO THE VARIOUS STRUCTURES F 1111 ^Y f4 1. Building Inspector's No. 3-D-1948 RMAY Owner of Property: Can on Water Brothers Occupant, Resident orBudder"`Barry m th ` 01971 DD Exhibits 2-A through 2-D . CONTRA COSTA COUNTY .r J �� <, BUILDING INSPECTOR -5- This is an interesting structure r.-ede conpl,etely of Large 4' x 8' s 7t.ets of plyvood 'jolted to{Iethor to form tln ee ^Ctodesic do'),es. G. ri(-inaally , the Tuildln- Inspector o'-,served sleep-Lnt za-a inside these comes. IioweWvC'3: , tlle :e was no C1c'ti.o , ood, toilet acil.- it: es or other evidence that anyone was residing in these The lar-e openings in the �sIT-ood would make the buildings untenable for living. There is insuc�:icient evidence to show that this structure was used o:; will be used for a habitation. Under: the definition o'f' substandard buildings , Section 1-1001 , it is the opinion of the Btearin Officer that the structure was not used as a residence and in its k)resent condition and location does not endaner the life, limb, health, property, safety or welfare of an occupant or the public. 2. Building Inspector' s Fo. 3-D-1.964 Owner o.L Property: ranvon t,Tater Brothers Occupant: Tho-mas VO-0 11'.s Exhibits 5-A t Lou, -b Buildin is a shack measuring 3' x 16' erected on a hillside and constructed of a conglomeration of second-hand materials s,_ich as old mismatched window frames and odd lengths of timber. The building contained no kitchen sink, no water closet, no lavatory, no bathtub, no running water, no connection to a sewer system, no facilities for storing; garbage or rubbish. Some panes of Mass were out. 3-leatin was by a small wood stove that was located close to combustible material. The stove was not ;properly vented and was described by the Building inspector as a fire hazard. The roof had a plastic material to keen out the elements. There was evidence that someone had been residig in the bui,ldi.n . There was no provision for disposal of waste water.. lir. Thomas Earl Voorhis testified he was the builder:. He identified his occupation as a telephone engineer. He resided in the building to ",get away from the mechanical society." He described lighting by kerosene lamps and testified that two houses have burned down in the neighborhood. In his opinion, if there had been "good roads' and "good fire protection," the buildings may have been saved. A spring .furnishes cold water which is pumped uphill by an electric pump located a quarter of a mile away. Waste water was transported on his back down hill and deposited in someone's septic tank. This building, although satisfactory to the occupant, does not have any redeeming .'Castors. It is a hazard to health and safety of its occupants and the public. 3. Building Inspector's No. 3-D-1.949 C�INJ R Wr EE D Owner of Property: 1ranvon I*,a�Brothers RAPR 2 11971 Occupants: George I.elirea: an a I e ren Exhibits 6-A t rough O- CONTRA CtJ: 1'� COUNTY In September of 1969 , when first observed by the Building Inspector, this structure presented a single geodesic donne in the course of construction. It is built on a solid woad platform on the crest of a hill, apparently new dimension lumber was used. At the c time of the site inspetion by the Hearin; Officer, the structure showed considerable more development and to the inexperienced eye of the Tearing Officer appeared to be sturdily and well built of solid 7 1 / o p, n • t materials. The Building Inspector cited numerous exa-,;:pLes o: a failure to fleet the minimum standards of t"he Uniform Housing Code. 7n comparing the photographs tokcn at the time o-;�* posting notice o:` -ub- standard buildinv and tlae 'Ei.eld trip inspect- on' there were nu.nerous additions including a kcitekzen area , bathing and toilet facilitie" and the digging of what appeared to be space for a septic tank: and drain field. The occupants exerted considerable effort to obtain approval of their construction. They took all the preliminary steps necessary to build a sewer treatment plant to satisfy sewer requirements but they were unsuccessful. The Location of the structure is in an area that would be inaccessible to a standard automobile in good weather. In inclement weather, very few, if any, wheeled vehicles could reach the site. The Building inspector described the building as one of the `:better buildings' and at the time of his inspection "up to the plat- Norm' was very near code. From the desire and determination of the occupants, it is the Nearing Officer's opinion that they would do anything reasonable within their power to obtain approval for the structure if they could live there. The items of the structure that have been listed by the Building inspector as substandard do not appear to be conditions that endanger the life, limb, health, property, safety or welfare of the public or the occupants of the structure. 4. Building Inspector's No. 3-D-1956 Owner of Property: Franc- s Imo` I.Darker Thomas as Administra.tri.x k tie Estate ;5r- A . into nar .er eceased an -.e GTI M Darker Occupant: Dirk A 11ena-Iw f'e This is a one-room cabin. When the Building, Inspector first, observed the site, the cabin was under construction. He advised :hat a permit was necessary, nevertheless , construction teas completed. Water service was by plastic pipe, no teinnite protection, no hot and cold running water, no stater closet, no bathtub, no shower or lavatory. There is inadequate living, space. Approximately 40 feet away there was a wash tub with a seat on it that was described as the toilet. heat was by a small wood stove close to combustible materials. A deck' railing required under the Code was not present. The occupant, Mr. Dirk Allen, is 23 years old. He has had experience as a builder. He was raised in Lafayette. He testified he uses a large redwood tank for supplying water. The building has "stress graded wood" and for a foundation, he dug two feet down to solid rock and set wood beams on it. There is no electricity, no hot water. He used creosote under the structure for termites. The walls are plywood over studding. There is some tar paper and redwood siding. APR 21197 `m° # CONTRA C0:3TA COUNTY •#J#LCi#NQ #NGPlCTOIk -7- This building was constructed in outright defiance of the building codes. It was under construction when the Building Inspector told Mr. Allen to obtain a permit. Although it may satisfy the occupants' needs as an adequate wilderness cabin, it is much too rustic to comply with the codes as adopted by the Board of Supervisors. The exposed toilet, the wood stove without adequate shielding and lack of adequate water service combine to make this structure substandard to the extent that it is a hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the public and the occupants. 5. Building Inspector's No. 3-D-1952 Owner of Property: Francis-T $irker Thomas as Admin .stratrix BE Me EsEate of A. inco n Bar -e eceased and Helen G. Barker Occupant: Unknown Exhibits 10- trough 10-D The structure was described as a tent platform. At the time of the field trap, it had been removed and was non-existent. 6. Building Inspector's No. 3-D-1966 Owner of Property: Francig B rker Thomas as A dministratrix oF the Estate 01 A. Lincoln Barker, Deceased, NZI Helen' . Barker Occupant: Unknown Exhibits 9-X t ro—ug"h .9-D When proceedings were commenced, a small "A" shaped building was on the site. At the time of the field trip, the described structure was removed and another small house structure erected in its place. No proceedings had been commenced against this most recent building. 7. Building Inspector's No. 3-D-1953 Owner of Property: Francs{i. -rker Thomas Adm nistratix of M 's tate of A. Lincoln Barker, dec eas>e an He en G. Bar er Occupant: Michael V. ma woo Exhibits 8 t roug - A t the time of the original inspections, this structure consisted of a wooden platform located on a hill with a grade of approximately 35% There was a tent occupying half of the platform; the remainder had miscellaneous items including a large bathtub. At the time of the field trip a different structure had been erected, obviously constructed of scrap plywood and "patchwood" siding. There was no evidence of a water supply, outhouse or sewer supply. Mr. Peter Burgess testified that he has resided on this structure since June of 1969. He is 21 years old and an apprentice carpenter. He was raised in Pleasant Hill and went to Canyon for peace and quiet. The structure as posted was in direct violation of the minimum requirements of the Building Code. The structure as it existed in 1970 with its unauthorized additions showed n ^4: 4-k&&-.AMX,=cts EF nV -T 7j / r MAY 101971 CONTRA Co:iTA COUNTY ru-na IWSPICTOR described by the Bu}ldin Inspector. Dl�e to lack of sanitary Conditions , runni_n� Tuat:er cane, toijGi: c^C."a 1. i j,es , t't2e Uu�.lLtI.72� shack that cont ins incdeouate sa^ni:.a.tJi_Qn and structi.Iral The buil;in T ecn ,els f' Ze i7Gz't1t11, property and safety of the pilb1ic and of'__ the cuilcinc- occupants. v. Buil di;�wr Inspector's 170. 3-D-1.951 Owner of Prope -ty: Franc`31s?.3 . aL'ler ",bo as as Ar mina strat. :ix of Estate 0.t- Y�. Lincoln 13ar1cer �ceas C1, a.n, zAe en Ijar :e�: Occupant: GeorC?e Kd:n_ne Exhibits 11-A tilrou i- --E This is a frame building; measuring 16' x 30' covered by cornu-aced sheet iron that could roughly be described as a warehouse. inside, there was one room in which George Kennel resides. The building was built and is owned by David Lynn, a licensed general contractor. 1,1r. Lynn is a graduate of Pomona College with a Master's Degree from the University of Cali:ornia. He taught Design in the Art Department. Mr. Lynn is building his own home 100' away. The sub 4 ec t structure has light framing of 2 x 41s. There are some 4" x 4:1 supports. This "warehouse" is used to dry lumber and also as a Contractor's shed to store tools and materials. The building is 301 wide with a supporting wall down the center. The resident, Mr. s�ennel, is an architect and city planner. Ile attended Harvard College, HarvardSchool of Design and studied design in Cambridge. The room in which he lives is 15' x 161 . It contains a wood burning stove, lacus toilet and sewage facilities , no plum'oinb, no electricity. Ile feels the space is adequate and he claims it is not intended as a residence. By letter to the Board of Supervisors dated May 14, 1969 , the builder, Mr. David Lynn, admits that the structure should be abated for failure to conform to the building code. Ile requested a five year delay to allow the premises to be used as a storage building while he builds an approved residence nearby. He offered to post band to guarantee demolishing. He states that the residence use has terminated. However, in August of 1970, a portion of the building was still being used as a residence by Mr. Kennel.. This structure is primarily a warehouse and contractor's store- room. It was not intended as a residence. As long as it is used for living purposes , it is a nuisance, since it is substandard in area and construction and a hazard to the health and safety of the occupant and the public. 9. Building Inspector's No. 3-D-1955 Owner of Property: Roy C. anT:Y G . Moyston and Blanche M. Mitchell Occupant: Timothy J.Ti""gins Exhibits 137A through .. 1E r. RAPR 21 1971 �t CONTRA CWTA C:)LINTY t� r sUILDINQ INSPscroa -9- Buildingconsists or i ' x 171 , one-room, dwelling. From the outside., the building has a quaint "ginger bead" appearance re u L�.n from split shakes on the xells. The underni.nnin;s are heavy wood Reams, The building lack-s tae following: Sho�,=er, Lavatory, toilet, hot -nd cold rennin zaater , electri.c�l gaiting, connection to seTzage disposal system and 'plumbing facilities. An outhouse latrine was available that was co:rmion to three other nearby residences. Dean was by means of a wood burning stove that had inadeoua.te insulation from combustible tall materials. Because o:L the described deficiencies, this building is a hazard to the health and safety of its occupants and the public.. 10. Duil.d ng Inspector's No. 3-D-1951 Owner of Property: Roy C* aaR J. G. Iloyston and Blanche i,r. Mitchel. Occupant: Sabra Pieltine Exhibits 12- throe i Mr. Barker claims that he has been the owner of this property for ten years. There is some vagueness as to the actual tenant. In October of 1963, Mr. Taylor Sloan informed the Inspector that it was his residence and that I11r. Tim Biggins was attempting to purchase it. At the time of the hearing, Mr. Bob Bonaccorsi was the resident who had been living there for seven months. This is a 1.0= x 1G' , one-room, flat roofed building with walls of plywood and an overabundance of small paned windows. There is no foundation and there is an uninsulated wood stove. The building lacks the follow ng,: kitchen sink, lavatory, bathtub (or shower) , hot and cold running water, plumbing facilities , sewage connection, electric power connection, and guard rail on a small balcony. This structure has no redeeming features. It is a hazard to the health and safety of, the occupant and the public. ll. Building Inspector's No. 3-D -1958 thiner of Property: David-Clo-uM Occupant: Michael �t�inn Exhibits 1 -7thr-o`u D `1� ,The structure consists of two buildings next to each other with varied construction of plywood, tar paper sides , and one wall of very small paned windows. It does contain a toilet bowl fixture in the building and it is reportedly connected to a septic tank. There is cold water but no hot running water. There is no electrical lighting wash basin, bathtub or shower. The heating stove was improperly installed and created a fire hazard and the dwelling unit lacked sewage and plumbing facilities. The structure .is located on. relatively flat ground approximately 100 feet from the right-of-way of the Sacramento Northern Railway and is easily visible and accessible by vehicle:. This structure is a hazard to the health and safety of the occupant and the public. APR 211971 C F q CGONTRA COSTA COUNTY aUjI.DIN(k II+iSPILOTOR _ ... .......... .--.. _........ 12. Building Inspector' s No. 3-D-1977 Owner a ronerty: Estate o ~�r ,,a et Lydil..son Uccu >aPt: Nr. E n Exx�x.b�.ts lC� �15:tJL1�1 is=L This small cabin Presented an appearance of assorted windows , of various sizes and construction, from large panes approxi:�3atel, 2' x 3' to s:::a1_I leaded windows. The building lacl.ed the following: Shower, lavatory, toilet, hot and cold runn-ins wCater, electrical wiring, connection to a sewer system. There was an outhouse type of latrine available that vas shared by three other residences. The slope of the grade to ttze buildi n,, directed surface waters onto the earth floors. The wood burninca g stove and pipe were dangerously close to combustible wall materials. The total living space was 380 cubic feet which is less than the minimum permitted by the Code. This structure is a Hazard to the health and safety of its occupants and the public. There was received in evidence letter dated. October 1, 1969 from robert A . Smal.lman , the Attorney for the estate of Margaret Lydikson. Ile agrees that the nuisances do exist but that the structures were erected by trespassers without authority and that he would like the buildings removed and since the owner did not create the nuisance, Mr. Small.man objects to the cost of removal being imposed as a lien. 13. Building Inspector's No. 3-D-1978 Gtv}nes: of Property: Estate of ,1ar�aret LX dikson Occupant: Mr. & Mrs. o n Lawrence Exhibits 1 --A t roti -.) This is a one-room 12' x 1.6' cabin, walls of wood tongue and groove, slanting roof. It is erected on a slope with tLie under- pinnings set on individual concrete bases. It contains a large wood burning� rant, * which the Building Inspector states creates a iire hazard, The structure lacks the following: Hot running dater, sewage and plumbing facilites , - connection to available electrical power, water closet , lavatory, bathtub (or shower) . grater is furnished, by means of a 50--allon drum located at the rear of the building. The letter of October 1, 1969, from Attorney Robert A. Smallrnan, a ,reein that the structure,; are a nuisance also applies to this structure. The non-existing water and . pl.umbin;g facilities and the hazard of the range make this structure dangerous to the health and safety of the occupants and the public. DD APR 2 1 1971 CONTRA Co TA COUNTY Suli3iiNG I NONACTOPI >y 14. Building Inspector's No. 3-D-1979 Owner of Property: Estate 3f Margaret L dikson Occupants: Mr. & Mrs. French- Exhibits 18- , througH 19-5 This structure is on the side of a steep hill and varies from some of the others in that the siding and construction are more uniform. The underpinnings are set on concrete bases. Access is by means of a wooden ramp. The interior is heated by a wood burning stove inadequately insulated from combustible materials-. There is lacking the following: Sewage and plumbing facilities, hot and cold running water, water closet, lavatory, bathtub (or shower) and electricity. The letter of October 1, 1969, from Attorney Robert A. Smallman, agreeing that the structures are a nuisance, also applies to this structure. The structure is a hazard to the health and safety of the occupants and the public. 15. Building Inspector's No. 3�D-1988. 16. Building Inspector's No. 3-D-1989. Owner of Property: John ,. an Barbara G. _Wyatt Occupant: Unknown Exhibits 15-A dough 15-D (2) These are the structures described as tree houses. Structures 3-D-1988 and 3-D-1989 were built as a tree house. It does not conform to the code requirements relating to plumbing, water , electricity and heating. Likewise, it does not comply with the constructural requirements relative to materials and their use. There was no evidence that the premises were being used for living quarters or as a residence. The "house" was on two separate levels, the first being approximately five feet above grade and the upper- approximately 14 feet. There were no railings or safety devises making them unsafe for any child or adult that may use them. When the Hearing Officer climbed to the first deck, it was apparent that the flooring and steps had noticeable ".give." Neither the Hearing Officer nor anyone in the inspection party saw reason to assume the apparent risk of climbing up to the second floor of the tree house. This structure endangers the safety of the public. From the foregoing findings , the Hearing Officer concludes and recommends as follows MAY 10' 1971 7 :_r CONTRA COSTA COUNTY BUILDING INSPECTOR -12- Conclusions: 12- Conclusions: 1. The following designated structures are unsafe buildings and nuisances under the provisions of the County Building Codes. Those structures referred to in the files of the County Building Inspector numbered: 3-D-1964 3-D-1956 3-D-1953 3-D-1951 3-D-1955 3-D-1954 3-D-1958 3-D-1977 . 3-D-1978 3-D-1579 3-D-1988 3-D-1989 After due and proper notice, the owners of the above described structures have failed and neglected to comply with notice to repair, rehabilitate, demolish and remove said buildings. 2. The following designated structures are not unsafe buildings and nuisances under the provisions of the County Building Codes. Those structures referred to in the files of the County Building Inspector numbered: 3-D-1948 3-D-1949 3. Structures that are no longer in existence are 'those referred to in the files of the County Building Inspector numbered: 3-D-1966 3-D-1952 Recommendations: 1. That the Honorable Board of Supervisors order the Building Inspector to proceed with demolition and abatement as specified in each respective Notice and in accordance with the provisions of Section 203 of the Uniform Building Code, 1967 Edition, Vol. I as to the following designated structures: 3-D-1964 3-D-1956 3-D-1953 3-D-1951 3-D-1955 R3-D-1977 MAY 141971 3-D-1978 3-Dy-1979 CONTRA CUa I'm t,:UUNTY 3-D-1938 su,LDiNG INSPECTOR 3-D-1989 2. That there be no demolition of the structures designated as: 3-D-1948 3-D-1349 f s.. / I and that any existing or eontinuin- violations of the building cedes be considered as misdemeanors or violations subject to Court injunction. Respectfully ubmitted, Dar d J . xearin C" . f .ce DJ'L:jg GC: r'I`L'. Ca.1il?iam Sennett r ��,��, �t,� l: A tt»orney at Law \ � Mr. Arthur W. Walenta, Jr. APR2 11971 Deputy County Counsel. CONTRA, COSTA COUNTY SUlLQ1 G INSPECTOR . ......................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................ Ex k' f DnanMoN: RRAL PROPERTY in the County of Contra Costa, Unincorporated.. State 'of Californl.a, described as follows-, LOTS 1,, 2, 3,. 15, and 6 and that portion of Lot 4 whitch lies northerly of the northerly line of Oak Lane, as said lots and Lane arc' shown on the "Map of alder Dell, Contra Costa Countlt, Cal,ifrornial% filed March 6, 1916, in Book 14 of Haps, lie +mss ink the office of the CountyRecorder of Comet CosY.a9tCounty. .x /323