Editor’s Note:As you can see, we got a lot of letters this week (more than 7,000 words worth)-too many to publish in the newspaper. These are all they letters we’ve received since the May 22 issue.

MEASURE I IS PRECEDENT SETTING AND UNFAIR–Ryan Wilkinson, San ClementeMany residents in San Clemente are confused about Measure I and exactly what it means. I have been walking the neighborhoods in San Clemente and many people think that Measure I zoning restrictions are being applied to every home in Shorecliffs. This is not the case. Measure I building height restriction of 16 ft is only being applied to 55 percent of the neighborhood while all the other homes are still able to build to 25 ft. In fact in my sub area 3 of Shorecliffs only 18 homes are being restricted out of the 179 in my area. How can anyone look at this and say that it is fair to the 19 homeowners that are being restricted while all of the surrounding neighbors are not restricted. Half of my street is able to build while the other half is not, my neighbors on the adjacent street and my neighbors below me are all able to build yet I am being restricted. There was no set objective standard that the city council used in determining which houses were to be included and which ones were not. They simply went around and hand-picked homes to be in the “pink zone.” (16 ft height limitation). One of my neighbors above mehad the city council over and mentioned that with Measure I, if her neighbors build it will still block her ocean view. Their response was that she could still build a second story because her house was not in the restricted zone. My question is then why get involved because everyone has had the right to build a 2nd story if their neighbors in front of them block part of their view. It should not be the role of the government to create laws that benefit one group while taking rights away from another group. This is precedent setting and it will happen elsewhere in San Clemente if this passes. Please send a message to city council and VOTE NO on MEASURE I. Everyone in San Clemente should be treated fairly and if the city feels that “View protection” is important to San Clemente then it should be applied to everyone in San Clemente, not just 279 homes. There are better solutions that take more of a compromise approach that will allow people to keep their building rights while minimizing the effects on neighbor’s views and privacy and Measure I is not it. PLEASE VOTE NO on Measure I on June 3rd.

“I” IS FOR INSOLENT

-David Kelsen,?San Clemente

Aren’t safety, fairness and the pursuit of the greater good the only reason to enact any law or ordinance? If Measure I (San Clemente) does not treat each of these Shorecliffs residents equally, then whom does it serve? Being that California state law is based on precedent, this seemingly insignificant and isolated restriction does have a potential to inhibit some form of our freedom down the road. I understand how it got to the ballot, that’s merely a result of overactive egos and lots of money in a small town. What I don’t understand is the myopic, self-serving attitude of those behind this debacle.

Is it considerate to build a second story that blocks a neighbor’s ocean-view? Absolutely not. Is it illegal? Absolutely not. Does removing the view lower your neighbor’s property value? Possibly. Is that potential loss mitigated by the upgrading of a neighborhood as a whole? Possibly. This mutant growth of “Me” generation ideology obviously feels that the whole world needs to be apprised of personal differences. Should we get in the middle of every fight between your kids as well? Measure I is a “Lose-Lose” proposition, regardless of the outcome. A “no” vote negatively impacts part of a neighborhood, sort of, meaning they still would have the freedom to build up to 25 feet. A “yes” vote imposes a restriction on some of the houses in a neighborhood, but sets a precedent. Think about it, people. And for those of you with two-story homes and “yes on I” signs in their yards, the “I” stands for insolent.

OPPONENTS OF MEASURE I ARE LIVING IN THE PAST

-Howard Lange, San Clemente

In a letter in the May 22-28 edition of the SC Times, one member of the group who opposes Measure I took the paper to task over the results of a clearly unbiased survey of five San Clemente citizens, which found that all agreed with Measure I. As most people know by now, passage of Measure I would restore protection to Shorecliffs against view blocking, privacy-invading second story additions, which clearly violate that planned community’s original design. Although this individual focused his wrath on the newspaper, I suspect that his real frustration is with San Clemente voters, who simply do not agree with him. The group opposing Measure I places great value on the right to build, but almost no value on the rights of surrounding residents to have the kind of neighborhood they expected when they purchased their homes. This extremist, builder-oriented definition of property rights may have worked when the area consisted mostly of wide open spaces, but no longer works in a city that is all but built-out. San Clemente residents simply do not want more building, particularly in areas that are already fully developed; and they also know that ignoring your neighbor’s welfare is not right. Remember, a “yes” vote protects Shorecliffs and stops overbuilding.

AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT MEASURE I

-Richard Grace, San Clemente

Did you know that all homeowners in Shorecliffs who want to add second stories have been given their permits to do so? Although the group who oppose Measure I pretends to be campaigning on behalf of “growing families” who need more space but are prevented from adding a second story, the fact is that there are no such families in Shorecliffs.

When the Appellate Court found against the Shorecliffs majority early last February, the Shorecliffs Height and View Preservation Ordinance, which protects Shorecliffs against view-blocking second story additions, was immediately suspended until such time as a city-wide vote could be held. That turned out to be until June 3, the date of the next scheduled election. This turn of events resulted in a nearly four-month window of time during which anyone wanting to add a second story anywhere in Shorecliffs could apply for a permit and receive it in about two months. This turned out to be only a few.

If Measure I passes, the ordinance will go back into effect and Shorecliffs will be protected from any more view-blocking buildups in the future; but the few homeowners who now want to add view-blocking second stories will have been allowed to do so. So don’t believe the “no-on-I” group’s recently adopted name, “save our homes”. They are not saving anybody’s homes. On the other hand, if Measure I is defeated, many long-time residents who cannot afford to build up will ultimately have to live surrounded by taller homes or sell (at a reduced value) and move on. Voters can really save some homes by voting “yes” on Measure I.

‘YES’ ON MEASURE I…

-Tony Hunter, San Clemente

It is really ironic how this has gone from a very local (the Shorecliffs neighborhood) issue to one that now involves not only the City of San Clemente, but the Republican Party (what’s with that besides political bullying?).

Whose rights are SCRRG and RNC fighting for? Certainly not the rights of the 72 percent of the Shorecliffs homeowners that voted FOR the compromise that the city council came up with, after two plus years of investigating the situation. A no vote means taking away the rights of the majority.

Here’s what this compromise addresses (which is now Measure I): It allows those that wish to expand, to do so, keeping a single story structure by allowing more building space by decreasing ‘set-backs’. This gives those that want more space the option to expand without infringing on their neighbors’ rights to privacy.

There are no height restrictions on the areas in Shorecliffs that do not impact neighbors’ views or privacy. The opposition (SCRRG) wants you to believe that this is only a view restriction. The truth is; while there is a large concern for keeping our views we are primarily concerned about our loss of property value and our privacy. If you look at the original houses built in Shorecliffs you will notice that privacy was a paramount concern with the original builder. Even the two story homes do not infringe on their neighbors privacy. Windows that are placed on the sides of houses (even on the second floors) do not offer views of their neighbors because the windows are either non intrusive or above normal sight levels, or the windows are opaque.

What Measure I boils down to is: The majority of Shorecliffs homeowners would like to preserve their privacy and their property value. So please vote “yes.”

-Clyde Seltzer, San Clemente

It’s simple, voting “yes” on Measure I, means peace in a community where the vast majority live by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (you know the one). And, practice an ethics of reciprocity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethic_of_reciprocity.

A few folks believe that it does not matter what affects or happens to others as long as they get what they want. This kind of thinking and the influence of the almighty dollar are what is fueling the “no” vote. Simply put; mortgage brokers, builders, contractors, etc. al. are the drivers behind the “no” vote. Don’t be fooled by their “government and eminent domain” rhetorical smoke screen and other untruths or partial truths…please.

Believe the homeowners in the considerately designed and planned Shorecliffs, Beach Community that constitute the majority. We believe that character counts and that putting a stop to over building in Shorecliffs at the expense of others, must stop! Please vote “yes” on Measure I.

-Jean Blazer, Shorecliffs Resident

The dictionary definition of “neighborly” is “exhibiting the qualities expected in a friendly neighbor. Such as; friendly advice, friendly host/hostess, a befitting friend, warm, comforting, not antagonistic.” These are the qualities that my neighbors share and one of the reasons why I live in and love Shorecliffs. From the difference of opinions in regard to Measure I, many San Clementeans probably think that Shorecliffs is an “unneighborly” place to live.

First, please remember that the majority of residents here are all, “befitting friends” who feel strongly about being good neighbors and therefore support Measure I. These people love this neighborhood and want to preserve its unique, special, and friendly atmosphere. Residents of Shorecliffs love living here so much, that they are working tirelessly to keep it just the way it was planned. The Preserve Shorecliffs neighbors have displayed tenacity, perseverance and commitment like I have never seen. All of this has been done to try to restore this neighborly atmosphere that we have always enjoyed here in Shorecliffs. These are people who love San Clemente and its unique friendly, “beachy” feeling and lifestyle, many of whom voted “no” on Measure C because they want to put an end to our city being over-built and over-populated.

Well, Measure I encompasses all these ideas, but is geared towards the Shorecliffs community only. The builders and planners of this neighborhood had an obvious vision when designing this community. Many of the homes are terraced so residents have privacy, warm sunlight and incredible ocean views. Many people have remodeled fabulous one-story homes to fit their growing family’s needs without compromising their neighbor’s privacy and views. Unfortunately, a few have built huge two story homes that have not only filled every inch of their property, but have changed the integrity and vision of this community’s original plan, and have wiped out their friendly neighbor’s ocean views. There seems to be some confusion around town exactly what Measure I means and which way to vote. If you are a lover of San Clemente who believes in responsible growth and the unique nature of our town, you will help the residents of Shorecliffs and stop over-building and therefore, vote “yes” on Measure I.

-Chris (Lidke) Booth, Shorecliffs Resident

These are trying times for Shorecliffs. It is amazing to me that even with the vast majority of Shorecliffs homeowners voting against view blocking expansions, we are still fighting this fight! More than protecting our views, Measure I is about getting along with and respecting one’s neighbors, which has always been a way of life in Shorecliffs.

I grew up here and my husband and I have raised our children in this wonderful neighborhood. Although we will lose our view for sure and do not want this to happen to our friends and neighbors, it is the attitude that distresses us even more. I find it hard to imagine that our neighborly respect is being replaced by an attitude that says, “I am going to build my dream house at the expense of someone else.” This is not the neighborhood that we grew up in.

Our very small opposition to Measure I has turned our Shorecliffs only study into a citywide vote. We are sorry that it has come to this. The two story homes shown in their ads confuse the issue because they were the original homes that do not block anyone’s view. Confusion is also the point of their red and white signs that mention Government regulation, which has nothing to do with our ordinance. Also, their phone calls made by Mimi Walter’s asks the question, “Why would she get involved with a San Clemente vote regarding Shorecliffs if 72 percent of the homeowners will vote ‘yes’ on Measure I?” Does she not understand that we as well as almost everyone else I have spoken with never vote for her again?

Measure I is the Shorecliffs Height and View Preservation Ordinance. Even though this is a neighborhood issue and doesn’t affect all of San Clemente, please help your Shorecliffs neighbors and vote “yes” on Measure I this June 3.

-Carol and Jim Evans, San Clemente

Our home has been negatively affected by a second story addition, and we certainly do not want one more family in Shorecliffs to have that experience. How can the minority of homeowners in Shorecliffs imagine that the “rights” that they are claiming are theirs are greater that the property rights of the majority who want to preserve their home values?

Further, laws have been broken in petition gathering of last year, and those who break the law should not reap the benefits of their ill deeds. We have here a very serious situation.

-Steve Rose, Shorecliffs Resident

It has now been a full year that we have lived in Shorecliffs. We bought the home in 2002 and rented it for a few years while we finished up schooling for our kids in Fullerton. After spending time remodeling our one story home, we are finally enjoying living here full time. It has been a great year to meet new neighbors, attend the Friday night get-to-gathers at the clubhouse and enjoy this wonderful weather year around.

During this six-year time frame we attended the building height/view protection workshops and participated in the surveys to support one story homes in designated areas to preserve our views and privacy. We, along with the vast majority of Shorecliffs residents, voted to maintain the existing integrity of the neighborhood.

Our neighborhood was designed as a single loaded, terraced community with low rooflines to afford views and privacy for the interior homes. Maintaining that design intent is the desire of the majority of the community as proven by the surveys. My family urges the citizens of San Clement to vote “yes” on I in the June 3 election to protect our property rights. Please note that this is a “Shorecliffs” issue and does not affect any other neighborhood in San Clemente.

-Dwight Hamro, San Clemente

I have lived in the Shorecliffs Community since January 1963. My wife Helena and I have raised our five children here, and we all love Shorecliffs and San Clemente.

Shorecliffs was one of the first Planned Unit Developments here in San Clemente. The City reviewed and approved our CCandRs in 1962. In the 1990s a court decided they were not enforceable. After three intrusive second story remodels were built in our community we, the residents of Shorecliffs, asked for the City’s help in preserving and protecting our original property rights from more intrusive and divisive second story remodels. The City responded courageously and admirably. After working through more than two and a half years of our city’s democratic due process, our Shorecliffs building codes were changed by a vote of the City Council on July 11, 2006. This ordinance mitigates the most intrusive remodels and is supported overwhelmingly by the Shorecliffs Community! 84 percent of the over 500 Shorecliffs residents voted on this Shorecliffs ordinance. 72 percent of these voters, voted “yes.” And most importantly, in the restricted areas, 76 percent voted “yes” for this ordinance! This is an unbelievable endorsement of our ordinance!

So why are you being asked to vote on Measure I that only affects Shorecliffs? It is because of the few, but vociferous and well-financed opponents. Their strategy is that since they could not win in our Shorecliffs community they petitioned to make it a citywide issue. So consequently I and most of us here in the Shorecliffs community are asking you to: Please vote “yes” on Measure I. It is the right thing to do!

-Bob and Betty Airheart, San Clemente

We moved to Shorecliffs in 1969 and bought one of the few houses still available. We live on Socorro and in 1969 the area in front of our house was a tomato field and our view to the ocean was beautiful. A school was built in our front “yard” and our view in that direction was blocked and the street full of traffic. For years everyone was friendly and Shorecliffs was a wonderful neighborhood. Some of our neighbors who wanted bigger houses sold their Shorecliffs homes and moved to the other side of the freeway instead of adding on and blocking and taking away the privacy of their neighbors. Two houses on the street below us are going to add second stories and will effect our privacy and view. The opponents of Measure I are trying to convince the people of San Clemente that this Measure will effect them too. Utter nonsense! Not true. The bottom line is that 71 percent of the Shorecliffs people who voted on this originally, voted to eliminate second story additions. These people and these people only, are the ones that will be effected by this Measure. Please vote “yes” on Measure I.

-Steve Elmer, Shorecliffs Resident

I read with interest the letters published last week opposing Measure I. The one that stated that second-story additions have been allowed in Shorecliffs for the past 40 years was an interesting spin on the truth. If this was the case, why didn’t anyone add a second story for the first 30 years? Answer: Because people back then had respect for their neighbors, and honored the CCandRs, which stated that no additions could be undertaken by anyone without acquiring permission from their affected neighbors. It wasn’t until the influx of the “new” generation of Shorecliffs residents approximately 10 years ago that it was discovered that, since they were written so long ago, the CCandRs didn’t contain enough “legal-Es” to make them legally binding by current standards. Thus began the first of the out-of-scale view-blocking additions that have since continued, culminating in the Shorecliffs Ordinance that will be voted on as Measure I.

Another letter stated that the issue should just be left up to the neighbors to work it out among themselves. As illustrated in the example above, recent history has shown that this is unfortunately not possible, given that those opposing this measure have continually shown that being “neighborly” is of no interest to them. After all, the majority of their neighbors already voted on this ordinance and approved it by an overwhelming margin. But that doesn’t matter to them-they want what they want. Another example of the “neighborliness” of these folks is that some of them trespass regularly onto their neighbor’s property to steal their “Yes on Measure I” signs-at least 70 have been stolen in the past week. Yet another opposing resident stood in front of the city council several weeks ago and stated that he would consult with his neighbors before “enhancing” his property, but in fact he has not done so, and is currently in plan check for a second story addition that will block the ocean views of at least three of them.

Finally, an additional letter states that there are “dozens” of two story homes with “yes” signs on them, implying that they have added a second story and now don’t want anyone else to have one. This is simply not true. Every two story home that has a “yes” sign on it was an original two-story home from 1965 located on the outside perimeter of the development, and not one of them blocks anybody’s view. Further, those with single-story homes in the non-restricted area will be allowed to add a second story. This follows the original design of the community-two story homes on the outside perimeter with views over the rooftops of the single story homes below, and single story homes in the center on terraced streets with views over the single story homes below them. The intent was for as many people as possible to have ocean views from their homes. But this doesn’t matter to the residents opposing this measure-they want their view and their neighbor’s view behind them as well.

If any of you are undecided on which way to vote on this measure, it is always beneficial to consider the “worst-case” scenario for those most affected on each side, and who would be hurt the most. For the “yes” proponents of the measure, this would be the loss of their ocean view (which they paid for), along with a significant devaluation of their property (approx. $150-$200K). For those opposing the measure, instead of being allowed to add a second story, they would “only” be allowed to expand out to 3,800 square feet on a single story. Who do you think would be hurt the most? Please vote “yes” on Measure I.

-Penny Christians, San Clemente

No free speech for “yes” on Measure I?

I do not live in or near Shorecliffs, but I am concerned about what a minority in Shorecliffs is trying to do to their neighbors. Besides the peaceful feeling, beauty and joy it brings, an ocean view is a huge asset in a home. Thus, removing it is tantamount to stealing your neighbors’ money. Several weeks ago, my husband and I and two of our neighbors put up three signs supporting “yes” on I. All 3 were removed the night of May 23rd. When I called a neighbor of the one friend (who is out of town) that I know in Shorecliffs this morning to try to get replacement signs, she told me that most of the YES on I signs in Shorecliffs were yanked from their yards and deposited in her front yard the same night. This was so distressing that the police had come to her home that morning to file a report. Talk about dirty tactics. It’s really quite disturbing, when you think of it. I just wonder which vandals and thieves are responsible for this reprehensible act? What happened to free speech? Please cease and desist from this childish and criminal activity. We, who support “yes” on I, deserve to express ourselves and attempt to preserve our neighbors’ views.

-Jane Graff, Shorecliffs Homeowner

Warren Buffett talked about “Humility” during a one-hour interview on CNBC. He is the second richest person in America and has donated $31 billion to charity. One of the many interesting aspects of his life caught my attention because of the unfortunate situation going on in my Shorecliffs neighborhood. Buffett said that he still lives in the same small three-bedroom house in midtown Omaha that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says he has everything he needs in that house. Interestingly, Buffett does not have a wall or a fence around his property.

Unfortunately, Warren Buffet’s attitude does not ring true to a small group of my neighbors here in Shorecliffs. This is the handful that calls themselves SCRRG (the “no on I” group). The attitude of this group who wants to build their second story homes on the terraced, inner streets of Shorecliffs is “build it higher, boys.”

I personally don’t understand how one neighbor can take away the view and privacy of another neighbor for their own personal gain. I was not raise with the morals of it’s all about me, myself and what “I” want! I was raised to look at the bigger picture.

The “heart” of the majority of my neighbors in Shorecliffs are trying to stop the “build-it-higher-boys ” attitude. We know they currently have the “right” to build up, but does that make it right? I challenge them to wait. Wait for the citywide vote on June 3rd that they brought to the voters of San Clemente with their Referendum Petition. Shouldn’t they wait and abide by the decision made by the voters of San Clemente? Five members of SCRRG have submitted permits to build second story homes in the overlay. Are they afraid to wait for San Clemente to vote? Two of those families spoke at a City Council meeting in January saying they would work with their neighbors. One is making his house larger just because he can and the second homeowner has yet to speak to any of his neighbors that he will be affecting.

Shorecliffs is a great family neighborhood. I grew up here and thought it was such a great place that my husband and I have chosen to raise our family here. For the most part, the majority of people here are a wonderful example of what it is like to have great neighbors. For me it is not about “property rights” but it is about respect, responsibility and relationships. Exactly what our schools are trying to teach our children. It is that simple!

I encourage all of you to join the majority in Shorecliffs who have already voted in favor of this ordinance and vote “yes” on Measure I June 3. Help us Save “Our” Shorecliffs.

-Oren and Deanna Salo

Yes: I consider my neighbors when decisions that I make will impact them adversely.

No: I want what I want now and will use whatever means to get it. Who cares about the neighbors?

-Kevin Frazier, Shorecliffs resident

The “No on Measure I” supporters recently circulated photos of two-story homes with “Yes on Measure I” signs, apparently to suggest it would be hypocritical for a two-story homeowner to support Measure I. Nothing can be further from the truth. Measure I supporters are not against two- story homes, just those that block their neighbors views and invade their privacy. Several owners of two-story homes in Shorecliffs do actively support Measure I, but these supporters all own homes in areas that do not block their neighbor’s view. Many homes on the perimeter of Shorecliffs were originally built two-story because they did not block views. So don’t be misled by the “No on Measure I” supporters tactics. Stop the over-building, and vote “Yes on Measure I.”

-Terri Mear, San Clemente

As many people in San Clemente are now aware, the Yes-on-I campaign has been plagued by systematic theft of Yes-on-I signs. Nearly every night, signs are taken from private property where they have been posted by property owners and left in piles at random locations, including sometimes at the homes of Yes-on-I campaign workers. It is regrettable that the group opposing Measure I, after going to great lengths to bring this Shorecliffs-only issue to a citywide vote, now show such disrespect for the democratic process. They did not respect the democratic process that was carried out within Shorecliffs in 2006 when the Shorecliffs Height and View Preservation Ordinance (now Measure I) was approved by a 72 percent majority, and they apparently do not respect the rights of San Clemente voters to express their opinions now. Voters should not support this “win it anyway you can” type of campaigning. It ultimately leads to the wrong kind of people rising to positions of leadership. I hope and believe that San Clemente voters will send them a stern message by voting “yes” on Measure I.

THERE’S NO “I” IN SAN CLEMENTE

-Charles Chalk, San Clemente

Having read all the recent articles and my sample ballot on Measure I, I still find it amazing that as a city we are entertaining taking away property rights from homeowners. Shouldn’t the law protect families from this type of seizure of private property rights? The map on the sample ballot depicts a divided neighborhood. Half of the community will retain the right to build second story additions, while the rest of the folks have this right taken away.

As a parent of two young children who play sports, I try and teach my kids to play by the rules and respect their teammates and coaches. It seems that our City Council and certain residents of this community should have revisited these simple rules of fairness before they considered putting their own interests before the community. At least we have the ability to put this to rest on June 3rd by voting NO on this unfair and precedent setting ordinance.

ABOUT SHORECLIFFS

-Sandy Fant

Forget about the “righteous” reasons to vote for or against Prop I. Look at what the result will be if it’s passed: Enhanced property value for just one neighborhood guaranteed by law. That’s fine, what about the rest of us? One ocean view will be worth more than the other because of government mandate not the open market. We should be voting on view protection for all of San Clemente or none of it. Special interest legislation conferring a legal privilege to the few is not good government. Defeat it, re-write it to protect all or none, then we can vote up or down.