City reports code-enforcement caseload, updates court-placed Eastfield receivership

Rolling Hills Estates staff presented the code-enforcement quarterly report for the period Jan. 1 through March 31 and the council voted to receive and file the report.

Staff said the city opened 16 code enforcement cases in the quarter, primarily involving overgrown vegetation and dead trees. Code enforcement has closed several matters but reported 12 open cases dating back to 2020; five of those involve overgrown vegetation or dead trees. Staff attributed some of the recent caseload to regional vegetation impacts tied to Palisades fires and said they are continuing enforcement actions.

Staff updated the council on a high-profile property at 79 Eastfield (referred to in the report as "Eastfield"). That property is in receivership with GS Strategies appointed receiver. The receiver has been contracting landscape companies to remove invasive or nonnative plants, commissioned an asbestos inspection that identified less-than-1% asbestos concentration in the foundation concrete and is preparing contractor proposals. Southern California Edison has completed some nearby tree trimming along the easement.

The city attorney has a court hearing on May 29 to review the receivership status; staff said any additional financing sought by the receiver would be presented to the court for approval and would come out of the property rather than the city budget.

Councilmember questions focused on the receivership's lien position and whether the city's enforcement costs are in first position; staff said the city is subordinate to existing mortgage holders at present and that property taxes have priority. The council voted to receive and file the quarterly code enforcement report.