Woodside in court over illegal construction Woodside in court over illegal construction (February 11, 2004)

By Andrea Gemmet

Almanac Staff Writer

The Woodside building-code saga continues. After nearly three years of wrangling over illegal construction at the home of Larry and Eileen Bridgman on Portola Road, the case has ended up in the courts. Woodside officials countered a lawsuit by the Bridgmans by filing a cross-complaint against the couple, according to Town Attorney Bob Lanzone.

After discovering that the Bridgmans' house was being extensively remodeled without planning or building permits in February 2001, the town began code-violation proceedings. Town officials want the illegal construction torn down -- and they want the removal done with proper permits.

The construction violates Woodside's setback restrictions for stream corridors, flood plains, earthquake faults, and side and rear property boundaries. It also exceeds the maximum allowable floor-area size, and alters slopes steeper than 35 percent.

After fighting the code-violation notice, Mr. Bridgman sought to legalize his construction, which includes nearly 1,200 square feet of additions as well as landscaping and grading, by applying for five variances and a conditional use permit.

The variances were denied by the Planning Commission last April and denied again in an appeal to the Town Council in September.

During the appeal, Town Council members were incredulous that Mr. Bridgman, who is in the real estate construction business and therefore more knowledgeable than the average resident about building regulations, would violate so many of them.

"I really don't think they have a case. I think this is about delay," said Mr. Lanzone. "They're using procedural due process to extend their time in the house."

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