Local News in Brief : Hearing on Home Sizes

The Palos Verdes Estates Planning Commission has set an April 20 public hearing on development proposals designed to resolve a controversy about so-called oversized homes that block views and light of neighbors. One measure would limit square footage to a percentage of the lot area. The other would establish a review process to determine, among other things, whether new or remodeled homes are compatible with their neighborhoods and preserve neighbors’ privacy and views. The hearing will be at 8:30 p.m. at City Hall.

City officials say the situation, most visible in older neighborhoods with smaller lots, is the result of the increased value of Palos Verdes Estates property that has prompted the remodeling of homes or the building of large, new ones that take full advantage of existing height, setback and lot coverage rules.

Some owners contend the new proposals would violate property rights and that they ignore the economic reality that builders must put up larger homes in the city because of land values.