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Morro Bay councilman knew apartment not permitted

November 26, 2013

00022.MTSBy KAREN VELIE

Morro Bay Councilman George Leage said a few days ago that his apartment was either properly permitted or grandfathered in, though he was aware that an application to permit the apartment had been filed in 2011.

Leage lives in an unpermitted apartment in his family’s sushi restaurant, Off the Hook, which is located in an area that does not permit residential use.

On May 3, 2011, Violet Leage, George Leage’s sister, applied for a conditional use permit for a caretaker unit at the building. Less than two weeks later, a project representative working for the Leages filed a request to rescind the application and asked for a refund of the application fee.

“It appears that there will be considerable more work involved for this permit so the applicant decided to not pursue this idea at this time,” the request says.

Leage said earlier this week that there were several caretaker units approved in the tidelands and that he believed his unit was either permitted or grandfathered in.

When asked about the conditional use application Leage said, “She (Violet Leage) was going to make sure it was right. It would have required sprinklers and been too expensive. I was legal there anyway.

“It’s no big deal, because I’m moving anyway.”

 


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Mr. Leage says, ‘it is no big deal….’ , well that is why it is a big deal. How many of use get to live down on the waterfront? The City needs to get a look at every lease site and determine if there is an unpermitted living unit in it. State Lands can’t begin to babysit every property and we have a hired Harbor Director who’s job it is to over see the Tide Lands Trust. Where was the Harbor Director during all this. We keep hearing ‘everyone knew he was living there’!!, ……this town so needs a housecleaning. Thank goodness the process has begun!


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I don’t think government gets carte blanche to just walk into leased properties. Something about expectations of privacy and quiet enjoyment. Let’s not overreact because of what some think is a breach on League’s part.


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someone walked in on him? now I’m really ticked off. LEAVE THAT MAN ALONE!


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I am sorry, but that is not what I said and another example of making untrue claims. fishingvillage called for the city “to get a look at every lease site.” Nice try though.


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I have talked to three different people who say it is well known that the former City Attorney visited Leage at the apartment over the restaurant. How come he didn’t tell Leage it was illegal? Or did he?


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Would one of the 3 that told you this be the Engineer with the crystal ball that knows that the estimates for the Treatment Plant are inflated?


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No,but at this point,there are more experts than just one engineer who will soon be demonstrating that those figures are inflated. :)


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Welcome to Los Osos, The Remake brought to you by Jamie Irons and Associates.


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Stay tuned. :)


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And how come there are several parties down at the old Cannery property with the Greenies without them being informed that the place is FULL of Asbestos?


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obsessively jealous


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I believe the owners bought that property from the Leage family. If there is asbestos, I wonder if that was disclosed when the sale occurred.


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The lil minions knew and know all about it.


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information unknown


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This really comes down to a moral issue. Mr. Leage is not only an elected official, he is a councilman for the City of Morro Bay that took an oath to uphold the law, not little bites of the law, not the ones I think are important, not one that I don’t feel belong to me because my family has been here forever, not those I think will benefit me or my friends.


For me, this is a moral issue. Not whether is was right or wrong, big or little, not because I didn’t know, didn’t hear, didn’t understand, etc. This is like saying Gibson having an affair is none of our business. I totally agree! However, Gibson having an affair with his assistant, paid for with tax dollars on trips and County time, in the mainstream of his day-to-day decisions in our business then it becomes a moral issue and our business. This is like saying Hill is having an affair with Torres, again none of our business. But, when he does not step aside when making decisions regarding CAPSLO Homeless Services (mostly financial) that benefit Torres’ position and job, then it becomes a moral issue and our business.


I find it very sad that politicians feel they have a right and can recluse themselves from any moral compass or standard that should be elementary and would hold the general public to a higher standard than themselves. Even worst, they can’t even see it even after they have been exposed and caught. When did it become acceptable for politicians to blatantly lie and assure us it is only misunderstanding. The moral compass of the U.S. is becoming disgusting!


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It’s not new, it’s been happening since ancient Greece and it will continue. Leage is just the latest. And you’re right, they don’t see it because has become second nature – business as usual – a way of doing things. Why do they try it in the first place? Same reason a child goes for that cookie in the cookie jar: it’s within reach, it’s profitable, and they believe they can get away with it.


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they should get them some wrist bands that say “WWCCNR?” – What Would Cal Coast News Report? – and then they should looks at their stupid wrist before they reach for the cooky jar then they wont end up int the news so much. But George Leege might forget to look at his wrist and then what would w do? i dont know, it’s just an idea.


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Well said,Slophocles. Let me also add that if Leage thinks it’s legal to live in that apartment, why is he moving?


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Let’s assume the apartment is legal for a moment. With the controversy going, would it not make some sense to take away the reason for the controversy anyway. I am guessing it is a non permitted use that we have plenty of in Morro Bay and many cities. Should George be using it? No. Is the issue being blown way out of proportion? Yes. I would still like your answer about the residences at the south end of the Embarcadero though?


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I answered that question


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If you knew MB, why did you only call CCN? Why not stand out there under his window with a GRAND ole’ Neon sign? Why hide under an alias this time? I mean, not everyone in MB reads CCN. You could have had the entire town down there!


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I’m not the one who turned Leage in, but I’m glad someone did. I don’t approve of his violation of the law.


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Oh you are right….that was Iheartmb, thought you were the same after hearing the same rhetoric. The bottom line is this new temp order that changed the rules was done as a direct attack to Mr. Leage. To me it was another vicious personal attack on yet another good MB resident.


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have you ever thought that maybe the seals barking at night keep him up? Or maybe bed bugs or mold spores? Maybe he just wants a better place and to better himself and move up in life, like all of us.


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What other cozy arrangements did the previous board(s) make?


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Another cozy arrangement was for Betty Winholtz to neglect obtaining a business license to operate her so called tutoring business out of her home for many years. . Just ask Betty…she did not know she needed one.


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Obsession with Betty


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Who, according to Shocked In Morro Bay, has been studying Nixon and is orchestrating a secret plot toward CITYWIDE DOMINATION …..


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That’s right, CalCoast, show an unflattering photo (for the second time) of Leage. I support Leage’s use and don’t see huge moral issues as it’s come down, so far.


Pelican1 is correct, this issue and coverage ARE a distraction to weaken the recall effort and it’s alarming to see from like/dislike ratios that such distraction has some support.


This is a simple CARETAKER sleeping quarters of which there appear to be plenty in the so-called tidelands. As to sprinklers or permits, RETROFIT sprinklers are the LEAST cost-effective building improvement there is, although speaking out against their requirement is like speaking out against children’s vaccinations or the Easter Bunny, everybody thinks “how could sprinklers be a bad idea”. Cost effectively, life-savingly, they (RETROFITS) produce LITTLE.


Just try to upgrade your property and wind up facing paying for them, digging up the street for an enlarged water connection, for something that has a less than one percent chance of triggering in a forty year lifetime, and then nearly ALWAYS just to WATER DOWN empty premises that were evacuated by the humans in plenty of time.


Sorry, George, you are getting picked on by repeat coverage, your family inquiry to see about announcing/permitting quarters was met with hugely costly obstructions such as “close the barn after the horse has left” water features called fire sprinklers.


Your stay in that space is NOT moral nor political turpitude, just common sense use of a space. Your use (living at work) is the most MODERN of mixed-use, NO COMMUTE planning goals these days, and plain common sense.


Common sense use does NOT FIT with much of society and municipal planning these days.


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I think it’s a good photo of him. He looks like he’s waking up with a cup of coffee to go around and look at all his property and kick some (u-know-what). i wouldnt mess with a guy that looked like that. i see him ringing the Christmas bell outside the store and i go the other way. i think he’s a good leader no matter what ANY of you say!


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I looked around the internet-web for flatering pictures of G-League and I couldnt find any. He has a kind of scowl on his face which is good for leadership. (PS Kevin Rice: I didnt use anyone else’s networth, I used a legal connectino from the libary.)


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He WHAT? HE KNEW? well that does it…. George now you have really done it. Ahem…While I’ve got your attention can you make sure we get a window seat for two on Thursday night? Thanks bud…


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The reporter on this article obviously does not understand how the law works in this kind of situation. It is highly regretable that the article implies any kind of illegality on the part of Mr. Leage.


George Leage is occupying in a LEGAL non-conforming situation. This means that it is absolutely legal for him to occupy the caretaker unit now and into the future because it was created at a time when it WAS legal and has only become non-conforming through a change in legal standards subsequent to its construction. (Whether it is actually non-conforming is debatable, even now. But that doesn’t need to be answered to know that it is perfectly legal for him to remain where he is. So, assume that it is no longer approved for the sake of argument.)


A second failure in the article is that it implies that because a permit was applied for and then withdrawn that the legality of the unit somehow changed. It did not change the status of the unit. Had a permit been issued and actually utilized for construction, it might have contained an agreement to not occupy or even remove the caretaker unit. This did not happen.

George has every right to stay there, if he so desires. If he chooses to move – it will be his free choice, not the reporters or anyone else’s


FYI, it is not all that uncommon for a permit applicant to decline a permit once all the requirements are proposed by the permitting agency. It appears from the article that the proposed requirement to add modern fire sprinklers, which can be very costly, may have been part of the reason the permit was not pursued.


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I realize this is possible an illegal issue here,but it sure seems strange that this h s poped up twice in a row, you’d think this was about Torres and capslo,wher esomething was really done wrong,or how bout the homeowners in SLO that rent converted garages to students that seems like an issue to look at,but with the issues going on here in MB CCN brings this up,kinda petty isn’t it.


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Am I the only one who has noticed an abundance of “leaks” targeting he Pro-recall contingent in Morro Bay. (with more to come).


The story about G Leage, Tidelands leases (well written so that some people who do not read the articles thoroughly will think Leuker and Shultz are being fired for having their hand in the till vs. the fact that they were working proactively for the city.


This really appears to be a planned strategy unleashed as the recall gained momentum. I must say for a town like Morro Bay I am quite impressed that these” left of center” people took really good notes during the Nixon administration on how to pull off a “dirty tricks” campaign. This is someone who has played this political game before and uses the vocal “pawns” as a distraction while he/she pursues the end-game.


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Let me get this straight: Cal Coast News, KSBY, New Times, The Tribune, Jamie Irons, Christine Johnson, Noah Smukler, Betty Winholtz, Walter Heath, Roger Ewing, Joey Racano, the Surfrider Foundation, and Lois Capps are all getting together in private sessions, going over old Nixon biographies and Watergate tapes, studying, learning, then passing on instructions to their army of undercover “soldiers” on the “inside” who in turn leak “information” to the media, with the ultimate goal of: CITY-WIDE DOMINATION!!! Something like that?


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Yes, exactly like that.


They hold their meetings in George Leage’s illegal apartment those nights that

George and the “old boy network” (you know-former city councilors, mayors, city attorneys, business owners, mega land developers etc.) hold their -CITY-WIDE-DOMINATION meetings.


You cannot have it both ways


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Who is “Deepthroat” in this scenario?


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LMAO


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Makes as much sense as your rants about the “Old Boys Club.”


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“Good ‘Ol Boy Network” or “Good ‘Ol Boy’s Club”. You should know the proper names of the groups you belong to.


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shouldn’t the apsotrofe in boy’s be after the “s” instead of before it?


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Why, yes – I believe you’re right. How is it you are able to spot such small grammatical errors yet can’t spell to save your life? (“apostrophe” maybe?) Regardless, thank you for the correction, and Happy Thanksgiving in your overturned duck boat.


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Thankks. probiz is coming by later with some canned cranberry sauce and pimpkun pie filling.


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Now how would you know this? or have you just made it up? Honestly, though, you have my favorite people on your list! Your post would be funny, if it wasn’t for the mean spirited ending, making up stories does no one any good.


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I’m sorry, fishing village, you are new to this discussion and we haven’t met. I am Slophocles, The Mean-Sprited Liberal. I delight in confrontation, sarcasm, and disapproval.


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Oh, I see what you mean – one person is orchestrating it, like a puppeteer? Yes, that’s very plausible.


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Read the article. It says, “On May 3, 2011, Violet Leage, George Leage’s sister, applied for a conditional use permit for a caretaker unit at the building.” It was not “nonconforming”. It was illegal. If they thought it would be legal for George to live there as it was, they would not have applied for a conditional use permit.


That type of permit has a specific purpose – to allow a city or county to consider special uses which are not allowed as a matter of right within a given zoning district. The very fact that they applied for such a permit meant they knew that a caretaker unit was ordinarily not allowed in that area.


So, when they found out getting such a permit would be too much trouble (or impossible), they just went ahead with their plans anyway. I suspect that sprinklers were not the only issue that stopped them, since that building is way too small to need a caretaker, and since, per State law and City policy, tidelands grant lands are not for residential use.


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I guess me & all the people living down at the creek can stop feeling bad about living illegally. It’s live wherever you want in morro bay, huh? If we get rousted we can just say “It’s no big deal because I’m moving (down the creek) anyway.”


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For a homeless, guy, mb, you sure quick on the draw to post. How can you afford internet provider?


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wifi spots are everywhere.


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Internet is free wehn your homeless. it is when you live in a home that you have to pay unless your neighbor has a signal. I get a signal from the duckboat i live in because someone in the neighborhood has a Unsecure signal.


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Knowingly accessing a computer network without permission is punishable by up to $10,000 or 3 years. (PC 502.)


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Maybe that’s the mb strategy he would have a home for the next 3 years, what do ya think?


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Nah, he’ll just use one of the George Leage defenses:”I thought free wifi was grandfathered in;” “My sister was going to make sure it was right,” or “It’s no big deal because I’m gonna stop doing it anyway.”


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bye, yall – i’m gone be layin low for awhile. Kevin Rice is onto me.


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Just sayin!


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Kevin, at least throw out some accurate info. From your reference; Punishment “For a first violation that does not result in injury, an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000).”


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100% accurate. What part of “up to” is too complicated for you?


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that changes the ball game then. beside, i never told Kelvin Rice or anyone else where my overturned duckboat was, i just said i lived in one.


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Most of us take Kevin Rice with a grain of salt. Loser in his SLO campaign that has a fascination with Morro Bay though he will never live here. A sad disgruntled man.


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He’s fascinated because we’re the most interesting town in the county. Our liberals are better-informed and more rabid than liberals in any other town, and our conservatives are more sillier and more entertaining than the conservatives in any other SLO County town. We are our own reality show waiting to happen.Oh, and we got the rock.


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Kevin Rice and black_copter_pilot typify what corrupt politicians, like George Leage, take for granted; that there is always one or two weak kneed spineless individuals who will attack the weakest before taking on the strong and in doing so divert attention away from the real law breaker being exposed. Scared of taking on the status quo, George Leage, they instead try and intimidate two homeless people with there veiled threats and innuendos of jail time to try and silence them or to marginalize and demonize them to such a degree as not to be taken seriously or even worse not be listened to.


Yes, this article is about George Leage, but more importantly it’s an article about us! It’s about how much of this BS we are willing to stand for, how much we have stood for up till now and what we’re willing, or unwilling, to do about it from this point forward.


Laws and ordinances have been put in place to try and thwart homelessness in this county, and many other counties around the country, and people, like Kevin Rice and black_copter_pilot, jump on that bandwagon quickly and vocally. Why? Because it’s a safe bet. At the same time there are countless elected officials that are being exposed in their lawlessness and for the most part go unpunished. Why? Because people like Kevin Rice and black_copter_pilot get quickly distracted by the an easier target, like two homeless persons in this case, and divert attention away from the real problem in this country; federal, state, city and county government run a muck!


mbhomeless, let me share this with you;


In re Eichorn, 69 Cal.App.4th 382 (1998) – “necessity” defense

to a criminal prosecution of “camping”.


“In this case a California Appellate Court reasoned that if a homeless person truly has nowhere to go, it would violate his or her constitutional rights to punish that person for merely trying to sleep, eat and survive. Therefore, the Court ruled that the ordinance will only survive an “as applied” constitutional challenge if a homeless defendant is allowed to present a “necessity” defense. The end result of this case is that if a homeless person truly has nowhere to go, and is forced to sleep, camp, eat, or carry out other life functions outdoors in violation of ordinance, the City cannot convict that person of a violation. Either the homeless person will be found not guilty by necessity or, if a local court refuses to allow a necessity defense to be presented, the ordinance will be considered unconstitutional as applied to that homeless defendant.”


Use this wisely. Share it with others in your situation. It’s not about flaunting it, it’s about protecting yourself from unreasonable intrusions into your constitutional rights when that type of situation arises. This is not something to bring up with a law enforcement official if you are ticketed, it’s a matter for the courts. This is not legal advise, it’s information that you use at your own discretion.


But! George doesn’t have anything like this in his arsenal for defense, no! All he has is the likes of Kevin Rice and black_copter_pilot to divert attention away from his REAL lawlessness, his REAL contempt for laws meant to protect and serve us ALL.


Just sayin’…


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Thanks, jrstone. I am not scared of Black Hawk Down or Evan Nice, but that is good information to have if it comes to that, which it might. These guys I guess don’t ever look at craigslist or take a drive through the parking lots. They dont even know there’s free wifi everywhere now – what, are the still on AOL dial-up? Probiz is anothher one. The 3 of them will probably get together tomorrow and drop off a few turkeys to a few homeless alcoholics and feel real good about themselves.


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Your post was much to serious for me jrstoner, I’m here mostly for the chuckles. If you a serious commentator, use your real name like Rice. Otherwise, fire on up and relax.


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What about you? Do you fly a black copter or are you an African-American copter pilot? How do we even know you have a pilot’s license?


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This is an incredibly petty distraction designed to foil the soon to be successful recall.


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