In praise of homes with “covered roof access”
It is a joy to go up on the roof in the mornings with a cup of tea or coffee and look at the ocean. Living on a 25-foot lot with our neighbors 6 feet away on each side, there is little private open space for those of us who live on Seal Way. My nieces and I have had roof deck “tea parties” and “dinner on the roof.” The evenings are especially lovely up there. The sunsets are awesome.
We are on a 25-foot x 100-foot lot in the 1600 block of Seal Way. I know the city of Seal Beach passed a height limitation that does not allow third story areas on the 35-foot lots. However, I do have a great appreciation for the small covered roof access and architectural projections on both 25-foot and 35-foot lots. When we built ours, all our neighbors were notified and agreed to our building a roof access. I love it!
There are many homes in Seal Beach that are very lucky to have a covered roof deck access. I do hope more of those people will contact the Sun Newspaper, the Planning Commissioners, and City Council members about how wonderful it is to have this as a part of our homes.
These “dog houses,” as some people refer to them, allow easy access to this private outdoor space and they do not leak in a heavy rainstorm.
Many are designed into the architecture of the home to look good and they can be useful as well.
It would be so sad to not allow others to build this area and enjoy where we live. I hope our city will continue to allow people to have the chance to build a covered roof deck access. They are wonderful additions to homes built on these 25-foot lots.
Barbara Arnold
Seal Beach
Visitors behaving badly
You can sure tell summer has arrived in our fair city. More people than ever are arriving to spend some time and why not? They can do whatever they want, no worries.
Did you come to fish on the pier?
Great, just leave all of your trash behind, even all those nasty fish hooks, and you can rest assured no one will say a word to you much less cite you for it.
The next morning when my husband and I and plenty of our neighbors are out walking, we’ll clean up after you and try to get things cleaned up for the next group!
Did you and your group of 20 park in the one-hour spot? Great, just park there for the entire day and you can rest assured that no one will say a word to you much less cite you for it. And, as an added bonus, be sure and leave all your trash on the curb before you drive away, pampers included!
Did you bring your cute little dog with you?
Great, just have a fun day of fetch and frolic on the sand and in the water. The lifeguards might tell you it’s not allowed, but rest assured nothing will come of it.
Did you come for an evening of entertainment at one of our local bars? Great, be sure and stay ‘till it closes and then stumble back to your car and be sure to talk and scream at the top of your lungs because as residents we all need to be up at 2 a.m. to grab a glass of water anyway!
As residents our property taxes and taxes paid in supporting our local businesses needs to be spent protecting us from this environment so wake up law enforcement and keep our “Mayberry” what it was meant to be.
Stephanie Sweeney
Seal Beach
Clarification on story last week on Bike Shop
Thanks to Charles M, Kelly for his continuing good coverage of the council meetings.
There is one minor correction however. Kelly reported that Seth Eaker “works at the Bike Shop.” Seth is an independent contractor and works at many businesses around town. He has his own consulting firm and helps lots of locals with their business stuff. I have no employees at the shop.
Dave Dunton
Main Street Cyclery
Seal Beach
Try tolerance
I am referring to a recent article in the Sun Newspaper about noise at the cycle shop and how a few residents are complaining. Folks it is time to close the complaint Department. The Cycle Shop has been a strong supporter of the Seal Beach community for 13 years.
Seal Beach is a big spot that many bicyclist ride to and when they have a break down or just need air for a low tire, the place they go is the Cycle Shop where they have always received the best treatment. Yes, a business does on occasion make noise. That is part of doing business. What would you like them to do, close?
Why not try to be tolerant and try to adjust to living in a location that backs up to an alley. Would it be too hard to close a window for a few hours a day?
Karl F. Myers
Los Alamitos
Fish Fry big success
The Lions Community Fish Fry was a huge success, thanks to the city of Seal Beach and everyone that participated by attending the big event.
I want to thank the Lions for all of their hard work. I want to thank those of you that come to our Fish Fry, we certainly have you behind us.
Remember all of the money you donate through the Seal Beach Lions Club goes directly to Charity. Lions are volunteers.
The contributing bands kept us moving, the mini-raffle sent participants home with prizes, and our good food and drink kept our tummies full. Thanks again for another great year.
Mike Haley
Chairman 2010 Fish Fry
Seal Beach Host Lions Club
Tell ARCO: do the right thing
How many times does the Seal Beach City Council have to ask ARCO/BP America to do the right thing and dig out and remove all of the Bridgeport soil contamination?
According to the July 22 article in the Sun “The underground storage tanks of the ARCO station on PCH have leaked at least twice since the 1980s.” Now the soil contamination poses a potential health threat to the citizens and residents of the Bridgeport and they must wait for a decision by the OCHCA on the preferred method of soil decontamination?
The OCHCA is not the sole arbitrator of pollution issues in the coastal zone.
The city of Seal Beach does not have a Local Coastal Plan. The California Coastal Commission, which has both the responsibility and authority for enforcing the Coastal Act, may also have a voice on this issue.
Section 30232 “Oil and hazardous substance spills” of the Act states in part:
“Effective containment and cleanup facilities and procedures shall be provided for accidental spills that do occur.” And Section 30334 “Powers” states “The Commission may do the following: Sue and be sued.”
The citizens and residents of Bridgeport should be encouraged to make use of all available resources in order to resolve this issue in their favor.
Don Schulz
Member, Organization of Regional Coastal Activists
Rossmoor
