My Belmont Heights - Historic District Group Meeting - Comments

Lot Coverage

Mark Hungerford — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 18:48:38 -0500

As per Section 21.15.1620 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, "lot coverage" means the percentage of the area of the lot covered by a building at all levels.

For residential purposes, garage area up to 400 square feet per unit, and up to 600 square feet for a single-family dwelling, is exempt from lot coverage. Accessory structures, such as storage sheds and the like, do count towards one's lot coverage.

lot coverage

John Fries — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 17:10:59 -0500

My recollection from the meeting is that a city rep specifically said that only the house counts in lot coverage calculation, not the garage.

Lot coverage

Bob Kittel — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:22:58 -0600

I believe that the garage and or any out buildings are already included in the percentage of lot coverage allowed.

Don't go too far

m_hewitt — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 19:08:53 -0600

I live in a 1923 California bungalow that is right next door to one of the dreaded McMansions, so I think I have as much standing as anyone to voice my opinion that the mansionization problem is overstated.

I do agree with some of the complaint. Houses that are over-large for their lots and that are designed with interior space – not exterior appearance – in mind can be an aesthetic nuisance.

But many of the proposed solutions I have heard discussed are too drastic. Stopping teardowns, imposing an architectural review board or forcing historical preservation are far worse than the problem.

Much more damage was done to quality of life here by the overbuilding of second units during the housing “crisis” of the late 1970s and early 1980s than will ever be done by new single-family homes. Let’s not forget, that situation was exacerbated by a panic “fix” to what was a short-term, market-oriented problem.

Many teardowns and massive remodels have turned out well. I can think of half a dozen examples of excellent new or expanded homes in the neighborhood. Many replaced homes that were ugly or unkempt.

Are these two-bedroom bungalows? No. But it’s silly to expect people to spend nearly $1 million to live in 900 square feet. Inevitably, the average size of houses in Belmont Heights will increase – but that can happen without the neighborhood being ruined in the process.

We can debate aesthetic choices endlessly, but the most basic criticisms of McMansions boil down to two visual issues: They are too massive for the lots they occupy, and this is compounded by large, unbroken vertical expanses.

Those issues can be addressed without Draconian steps.

Foremost, a change in the zoning codes is in order. The current restrictions never anticipated a market for 3,000-square-foot homes with 1,000-square-foot garages on 4,000-square-foot lots.

Two simple modifications would afford property owners reasonable leeway while creating a more satisfying aesthetic for the neighborhood:
1) Include the garage in the lot-coverage formula.
2) Reduce the allowable size of second stories and require that they be set back from the first.

Further, it would be helpful if the city or the association provided would-be builders with information about how to help their projects fit in with the neighborhood. Some free or low-cost architectural resources might go a long way.

The character of the neighborhood is changing, but it always has been. It’s not as if Belmont Heights were Brigadoon, wrapped in an idyllic cocoon until the horrible McMansionists arrived to remove the spell.

We need to create ways to make that change work in our collective favor.

Quality of Life

DAGMAR — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 18:16:10 -0600

That is why I am joining and getting on this website on a regular basis.

I have lived in my home for 29 years and put my heart and soul into it...it has always been a special place to me...never, in my wildest dreams did I think my neighbor who had never even so much as painted the fence we shared for 25 years, would come up with enough money to build a hugh structure that is literally in my tiny back yard...balcony off the master bedroom looks right into my kitchen window and back bedroom window.

The fence we share has literally been falling down for years with me replacing the boards...the supporting beams are on his side and he has done nothing in 25 years.

I can only pray that he does not really want to see what I do in my kitchen and back bedroom and that he puts up some type of screen or something....actually, it would have to be a 25 foot high fence....

Mansionizatoin Forum

DAGMAR — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 18:05:48 -0600

Most certainly everyone should have the right to improve their property. We all benefit from improvements.

There is a right way and a very wrong way to make these "improvements"...doing so without taking into consideration how it is going to directly affect the quality of life of your neighbor is the wrong way.

If one must build a second story that totally takes away all privacy the neighbor had, then put up some type of privacy barrier to accommodate for the intrusion.

Also, what I am seeing is a developer coming in, tearing the existing single family home to the ground, building a hugh, ugly, stucco box style home that looks like a hotel and sticking a "for sale" sign on it the next day.

Remodels in Belmont Heights

Richard Hollingsworth — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 17:48:00 -0600

I live on Bennett in a house remodeled in 1950, it is 3,400 sq ft. It is I suppose by other's definition a "mansion". Would those who would prohibit new remodels want me to shrink my house to suit their definition of what is appropriate. As far as I am concerned my neighbors can remodel to their hearts content. It is their private property and their right to remodel as their budget and hopefully good taste permit, provided they comply with the zoning codes applicable for our homes in this neighborhood. Belmonts Heights is a wonderful neighborhood, and if every house on my street became a two story home it would not harm my quality of life one bit. I suggest the Association stay away from others private property. However, if the Association has any power, could you have the folks in the purple original house on Bennett/Broadway tone down the purple shade on their house just a tad.

My House A Mansion?

Anonymous — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 15:09:56 -0600

Hello, the Mansionization Forum was definitely relevant to me, since my house was one of those featured in the slide show as an example of the "problem" in the neighborhood.

I'd like to suggest that you (collectively) consider all sides of the issue. My husband and I have lived here for 10 years as renters. This is our first house, and we've worked very hard and waited a long time to finally join the ranks of Homeowner. We are proud of our house, and naturally don't feel that it detracts from the neighborhood, or at roughly 2800 sq ft, is a "mansion." Ours is one of many two-storied homes on the block.

I love the historic homes as much as all of you. That, in part, is why we chose to live here. The original home that we bought had been a rental for many years, and was in poor shape. But more than that, we needed room for our growing family. I understand that construction is a nuisance; I understand why you would be upset if your single-story home was suddenly boxed in by two-storied neighbors. If I lived in a one-story, I wouldn't be thrilled about this either. But do you really want to permanently limit, or prevent anyone from making changes to their property? Neighborhoods need young families to remain dynamic--and it isn't ideal for families with several children to live in a two-bedroom, one bath home. (We did this as renters, and are happy to have more space.) I feel that in order to keep the neighborhood attractive to families, there needs to be a choice among housing sizes.

I'm not sure what the solution is, I just want to state that this is my neighborhood, too. My family and I plan to stay here for the long term. Perhaps the quality of life in Belmont Heights would be better served by extending a hand of welcome and friendship to your new neighbors, instead of making disparaging remarks about their homes.

Minutes to be posted soon

Mike Stewart — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 10:26:03 -0600

There might be something in the next grunion, but Im not sure. I dont recall seeing any reporters tho. The press deadline for the grunion is nearly a week before delivery. Check the website later today or tomorrow for meeting minutes. Someone from the Neighborhood preservation committee will be posting. Also, I saw that you took the survey, that's great! Hope others that missed the meeting submit a survey too.

Mansionization Forum

DAGMAR — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 10:20:11 -0600

I sort of thought there would be something on the website as to how the meeting went Wednesday night and I was hoping to see something in the Grunion Gazette about it.

Mansionization Survey

Mike Stewart — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 23:47:24 -0600

Hi Nick-

Sorry you missed the meeting. It was quite good. It was hosted by the Neighborhood Preservation Committee and they did a good job packing the place. There was a Survey that was handed out, it is available online if you login. once you are logged in, it will be listed under Post. Its called Mansionization Survey.

Minutes should be posted here tomorrow or the day after.

Mansionization Meeting Minutes

Nick — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 17:33:36 -0600

Hi,

I am very upset I missed the meeting last night and very much looked
forward to hearing what people had to say on this thorny issue.

I was wondering if either anyone can sum up what was said, unless you have
minutes or even if there will be another meeting like this.

I look forward to your next events,

Nick

quality of life

Bette — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:46:08 -0600

I am sorry for your loss of 'quality of life' in Belmont Heights. When I first noticed mansionization in the Heights I just thought oh well. Then I realized the house next door might be a prime canidatate for mansionization and I would lose my beautiful back yard and cherished privacy. I became very involved in the neighborhood association.

BHCA membership & Mansionization

Peter Devereaux — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:53:28 -0600

Thank you for taking an interest in a problem neighborhoods all over the country have experienced as a negative development: "mansionization".
Because of knee surgery on the very day (today) of your meeting, I won't be able to join you.
I will become a member and be interested in being informed about the
meeting and the general subject.

Overbuilding in Belmont Heights

DAGMAR — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 16:08:49 -0600

I never really got too excited about the overbuilding in Belmont Heights until this past year...I have seen several single family homes being leveled to the foundation and two story, box style stucco monsters built in their place...only to then have "For Sale" signs put up.

But the real kicker was when the house behind me was leveled last summer and the Taj Mahal put in its place. The deck off the master bedroom looks down on my tiny (formerly private) back yard...not to mention into my kitchen window and back bedroom.

I don't know what can be done but the quality of life in the Heights is being drastically compromised