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City Council orders Riverlakes homeowners to remove 30-foot
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Posted by lward Mon Nov 22, 2004 08:15:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments RiverLakes Ranch residents who were ticked off about the 30-foot-tall net a couple had erected to protect their home at Elizabeth Grove Court from errant golf balls should be pleased by Bakersfield City Council members' Nov. 17 decision to order the net removed.

But residents' dislike for the barrier may not have been solely responsible for the council's decision.
City officials say the way William and Diane Hinkle went about defending their home may have played a role.

"This is an interesting situation in that the net was put up without approval from the homeowners association or the city," said Councilman David Couch.

The Hinkles put the net up to keep stray golf balls from the 11th hole from flying into the yard and through the windows. William Hinkle said his children aren't allowed to sit in the living room because of fear of injury.

But they never asked city zoning officials for clearance to raise it, and in September the Bakersfield Board of Zoning Adjustment ruled the nets had to be taken down.

"Because of the Rosedale Specific Plan, they would have needed a zoning modification to erect the net," said Couch. "They should also have approached the RiverLakes HOA to request an architectural review. We don't enforce CC&Rs, that's a civil issue."

The Hinkles appealed to the City Council to reverse the zoning board's decision, but the council voted unanimously to uphold the board's decision.

Nevertheless, Couch noted there may be a particular problem with the 11th hole and said the city will get together with the RiverLakes golf course and the Hinkles to work something out.

The Hinkles were told to remove the net in seven days, but Couch said the city would be lenient in enforcing the deadline with the holidays approaching.

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