Editor,
There has been so much said about the influx of sober living, drug rehab and all the “businesses” that have been allowed to move into our neighborhoods. The problem lies not with the type of business, but that it is a business in an area zoned for single-family houses. When my husband and I bought our first home, we knew it was across the street from apartments, we knew the value of our house would be lower because of it. It was affordable to us because it was across the street from apartment buildings. We knew what we were getting ourselves into.
The problem with our present day dilemma is we pay dearly for our neighborhood, the city, the views, the people, the quiet. Why is it right that our rights as homeowners have been ripped away? If any other business applied to set up shop in an R1 zone, they would be denied or at least the city would hold a hearing to allow neighbors to voice their opinions. I feel it is so unfair for the city and state to allow this. We should have the right to decide if we want to live next door to a business, period. Because, even though I once bought next to an apartment complex, I did not move to TOW to live next door to a for profit commercial enterprise. Not to mention the loss of value to your property when a business is allowed in a R1 zone.
Tracy Oliveto , Laguna Beach
Since the state who issues these licenses does not give one wit about your loss of the quiet enjoyment of your home or your property values, the only thing you can do is force your city government to adopt ordinances against this taking of your neighborhood, force your council to answer to you, the voters, as to why they have not looked at what other cities have done.
Because people in Rehab are considered disabled, you may not even bring up the fact that your property values are affected, they consider your concerns “discriminatory”. Your home has value, as do your neighbors, figure out the losses you will incur radiating out from the Rehab business and THAT will determine how much you should consider suing the city for.
Lawsuits are never the first answer, but you should know it’s the only thing that forces city governments to become concerned over the destruction of the residential quality of your neighborhood, there is NO political will to go up against these profiteers, they are ruthless and have many lawyers on staff to fight…document the problems you live with day in and day out, make sure they’re date stamped, keep a log as to how many times Police/Fire/Life Safety is called to the address, document the amount of traffic of vans, UPS, workers coming and going, loud phone calls, disruptions, arguments, cigarette butts in the gutters. You have every right to document, you may NOT harass or even talk to the folks at the Rehab and it will do you no good.
Go to your council and demand action, investigate what other cities have done and don’t buy the old excuse…”But they’ll SUE US!” Because the reality is, it will either be them or you who will sue, who would the city rather fight?.