Owner’s application to Buildings failed to disclose actual conditions or intentions with respect to demolition. Alexis Lyublinskiy hoped to enlarge his one-story home at 136 Norfolk Street in Manhattan Beach. After his architect self-certified permits, demolition and construction work began that did not match the permits. Lyublinskiy eventually demolished three walls and constructed a two-story home that violated zoning restrictions on floor area, wall height and yard limitations.

The Department of Buildings then issued a stop-work order and notified Lyublinskiy that it planned to revoke the permit. Instead, Buildings issued a letter to Lyublinskiy categorizing the work as an “enlargement” rather than new construction; this allowed him to apply to BSA for a special permit to legalize the work. (read more…)