Paradise 2D Commissioners on July 16 approved most of the requested waivers for a single-family residence on Calle De Reynaldo, while denying one and imposing conditions including landscaping and a timeline to obtain building permits for a prior unpermitted garage conversion.

Bridal Molina, the homeowner and applicant, requested waivers for reduced separations between a storage shed and the house, reduced driveway separation and increased hardscape in the front yard. Neighbors voiced concerns, saying work had been done without permits.

Cheryl Wagner, a long-time neighbor, opposed after-the-fact variances and urged the applicant to obtain permits before altering a property. Commissioner Gibson, who led the discussion, denied the waiver for a small storage building that sits too close to the house and ordered its removal. He approved waivers for a larger shed (with conditions), granted a reduction in separation and allowed a larger front hardscape in exchange for replacing five feet of concrete in the front yard with landscaping on both sides of the driveway. Gibson also required the homeowner to submit building permits to legalize an existing garage conversion and complete the work within two years; if the conversion could not be brought up to code the owner may need to restore the garage.

Nut graf: The commission balanced neighborhood concerns about after-the-fact work and the homeowner27s parking needs by approving several waiver requests but denying the closest shed and requiring landscaping and a two-year compliance period to legalize the garage conversion.

The homeowner said the garage conversion predated her purchase and that she would work with building and planning departments. Commissioners reminded the homeowner that conducting business or having employees come to a residence requires appropriate licensing and that life-safety upgrades might be required to legalize the conversion.

Ending: The waivers largely cleared zoning hurdles for the property but the homeowner must remove one unauthorized structure, add landscaping, begin the building-permit process for the garage conversion and complete the work within two years or face corrective action.