Ira and Joyce Feldman's Conditional Use Permit

Revised 04/23/97 10:11 AM New

A Letter to the Editor by Pat Allen a neighbor of the proposed commercial project to located in a residential area.

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter to the residents of Agua Dulce and Acton. I am aware that many of you have been approached to sign a petition or write a letter in favor of a zone change (Commercial/Recreation, Plan Amendment) and CUP for the property (25 acres) known as Sweetwater Springs, owned by Ira and Joyce Feldman, at 11727 Mint Canyon.

Many of you have been in support of the Feldman's zone change, due to the many community activities they participate in and your like for them. I would like for you to stop and really think about the surrounding neighbors and the effect (Past, Present and Future) that the zone change will have on our lives. The next request to Regional Planning for a zone change could be from one of your neighbors.

I don't know how much confidence you have in the Los Angeles County Government, but I would like to give you some facts to consider before you sign the Feldman's petition, write a letter in favor of their zone change, or after careful thought rescind your signature or letter.

We have been subjected to a Western Stunt Show. I was called by Joyce Feldman and told not to worry, they were only using blanks, but after approximately an hour and a half, one very loud boom went off and nearly put one of my horses through a railing (My husband witnessed this as he was feeding the horses). The boom was so loud that a car alarm was set off. The other neighbors were not notified that a stunt show was going on and were of the belief that an actual shooting was going on. The Sheriff was called to report shooting and responded in 3 hours to shots fired.

We have also been subjected to Illegal acts by Mr. Feldman, as he acknowledged last evening at the Agua Dulce Civic meeting, he was given a Cease and Desist order to stop all activities on his property until he had the proper CUP. By his own admission he continued to hold Wedding Parties, and other functions, placing himself above the law.

Mr. Feldman has also been advised by the Fire Marshall not to use his barn for any activities until the proper commercial fire sprinklers have been installed and approved by the Fire Marshall. Again Mr. Feldman has placed himself above the law. The Fire Department has been notified and refused to cite him for several violations of using a building without sprinklers.

Mr. Feldman has allowed grading to be done on the area behind his barn over the Memorial weekend, we were subjected to dirt and lights well into midnight. Mr. Feldman has also installed a brick wall along the property line, with full knowledge that it's against the Los Angeles County Floodway Ordinance. In addition to the above violations, Mr. Feldman has also channeled his property with large boulders, creating a channel where not channel existed prior to the 1993 flood.

These violations were reported in writing to Mr. Steven Burger, Los Angeles County Building & Safety Drainage Division, in November, 1996. After two and a half months and not response to my complaints, I contacted his boss, Mr. Phil Doudar, in Alhambra on January 28, 1997. I have called numerous times to find out why I have to live with the Floodway Ordinance that has been placed on my property and they will not enforce the ordinance on Mr. Fledman where violations exist on his property. To date I still have not had a reply.

I have gone to the Federal Government regarding the Floodway Ordinance and the lack of enforcement of the part of Los Angeles County. My personal feeling is that as an agency of the County Government, Regional Planning will approve the zone change. So before you sign Mr. Feldman's petition or write a letter in favor of the zone change, please put yourself in our position.

Thank you, Pat Allen

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