injunction granted – for failure to obtain HOA’s Architectural Committee approval

The recent Tesoro del Valle Master Homeowners Association v. Griffin case provides a good example of power of a well-functioning HOA/ Architectural Control Committee to deny a homeowner’s construction project, and to its right and power to go to court for injunctive relief for removal of a project that it did not approve. Continue reading

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View Rights; Ocean Views; Trees; Spite Fences; and Jury Instructions

On April 15, 2011, the Fourth District of the Court of Appeal issued a decision reversing the San Diego Superior Court in a spite fence case. Vanderpol v. Starr, filed April 15, 2011, Fourth District, Div. One, Cite as D056599. The case involved a classic variation of the neighbor vs. neighbor dispute regarding a row of trees that the downhill neighbor refused to trim, which obstructed the uphill neighbor’s ocean view. Continue reading

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Inverse Condemnation 101; Property Owners Near LAX Lose

On April 12, 2011, the Second District of the Court of Appeal issued its decision in City of Los Angeles v. Superior Court (Plotkin) (Court of Appeal Case No. B225082).
The case provides a good overview of inverse condemnation law. Continue reading

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New L.A. Ordinance Restricting Size Of Hillside Homes: Baseline Hillside Ordinance

There is another tool in the view rights arsenal: On April 6, 2011, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed new Baseline Hillside Ordinance (“BHO”) (also commonly referred to as the Hillside Mansionization Ordinance), which goes into effect on May 9, 2011. This Ordinance, along with the Baseline Mansionization Ordinance (“BMO”) that was adopted in June 2008, are part of the City of Los Angeles’ attempt to regulate “out-of-scale single-family development in the City of Los Angeles.” However, those seeking to build large homes generally dispute whether their home is “out-of-scale.” Continue reading

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Sparkplug Keith Turner Plays a Key July 4 Role

By Sue Pascoe, Palisadian Post

Attorney Keith Turner has won a 2010 Sparkplug Award from the Community Council for organizing the live music concert held at the Palisades High School football stadium before the Fourth of July fireworks show. “I was shocked. I didn’t even know I was nominated,” Turner, 46, said. “The award should have gone to Rob Weber because he’s done so much.” Weber was president of PAPA (Palisades Americanism Parade Association) in 2008 and 2009. The two men grew up in the Chicago area, went to Chicago-Kent College of Law and both worked for a few years at the same Beverly Hills firm after graduation. Weber urged Turner to get involved with PAPA, but Turner put him off, telling him, “Only when you’re president of the organization.” WhenWeber indeed moved up to that  position, Turner attended his first PAPA meeting…. Read the full article

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