HomeMy WebLinkAboutAV 02-08; Funderburk RV Variance; Administrative Variance (AV)February 3,2002
Michael Holzmiller
City of Carlsbad Planning Dept.
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Dear Sir: \+ &&8
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE (RV PARKING)
On or about January 23, 2002 I received a notice of violation regarding the parking of my motorhome in the
front yard of my home located at 4932 Park Drive, Carlsbad. In accordance with CBMC Section
21.44.060(2)(C) may this letter serve as a request for an Administrative Variance to permit the existing use.
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As can be seen by the enclosed photographs the motorhome is stored (parked) on a concrete apron that
services the additional recreational vehicle (RV) parking on the side of my house (photo #I). I maintain the
motorhome under the pictured cover at all times while in storage and position it at least six feet from the
sidewalklfront property line when it is in this storage location (photo #2). When parked in this manner the
motorhome is backed all the way up to the front fence that secures my side yard (photo #3).
Prior to receiving the notice of violation I spoke to the neighbors immediately west of (next to) this storage
location. They indicated no complaints with the motorhome being parked in the current location. Attempting to
be sensitive about the appearance of my home and the impacts of the recreational vehicle storage I use the
area on the side of my house for the storage of my two personal watercrafts (PWC) and their trailer (photo #4).
I also use the area behind the PWCs for the storage of construction materials while I am performing the
construction of a back yard storage shed, located directly behind the side yard RV storage (city building permit
on file). Please see the enclosed plot plan depicting the RV storage in relationship to my property.
Storage of my motorhome in my rear yard is not possible due to the limited space and the length of the
motorhome (32 feet). Storage of my motorhome directly along side my house would be very difficult due to the
roof eave overhang. The motorhome is 102” (8 1/2 feet) in width and the area along side my house is slightly
over ten feet wide. Placing the motorhome in this side yard location would result in me being unable to open
either side door enough to permit entry or egress of the motorhome. Additionally, the house natural gas
meterhegulator is located in this same area directly behind the front fence (see plot plan). Movement of the
motorhome in this area creates a significant potential fire hazard due to the risk of hitting the gas meter and/or
damage to the motorhome itself.
Prior to purchasing the motorhome I considered possible alternatives to overcome the obstacles mentioned
above. Prior to the recent re-roof of my house I cut back the roof eve on this side of my house to increase the
clearance and I considered the relocation of the gas meter. However, these solutions would not solve the
access problem and even if it were to I would then have to store my personal watercrawtrailer and the
construction materials in the area the motorhome is currently located. In my opinion this storage arrangement
sounds much less desirable. Storage of my PWC and the construction materials in my front yard is also
troublesome to me in consideration of past and potential future vandalism or theft. Over the past several years
I have had two vehicles vandalized while parked in front of my home and last July my wallet and several other
personal belongings were stolen from my car while parking in my driveway (police reports on file).
I fully intend to be and feel I am a “good neighbor”. I maintain my property’s appearance in a very clean and
excellent condition at all times. And while I understand that your department received a complaint regarding
the storage of my RV in its current location, no one in my neighborhood has ever expressed even the slightest
concern directly to me. I feel I am currently in compliance with the intent and spirit of the applicable
ordinance@) regarding this issue. Over the years I have spent a far amount of money improving my property in
a cosmetically attractive manner. I have lived in this house since 1986 and a few years ago I completely re-
landscaped and modernized the front of my property. This effort and expense was made to improve both the
appearance of my home and the neighborhood while also providing the storage space I need in a manner that
Funderburk Request for
Administrative Variance (RV Parking)
February 3,2002
Page 2 of 2
is sensitive to the impacts on my neighborhood. Frankly, my front yard RV storage is perhaps among the
nicest I have seen in comparison to some of the others around town.
I hope this information adequately addresses the issue and answers your questions. However, if you require
additional information or have any comments please contact me at (760) 434-1652. Thank you for your
consideration and assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Greg Funderburk
4932 Park Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008