Commission approves two-lot subdivision at end of Blossom Court despite neighbor’s access concerns

The Redlands Planning Commission on May 28 approved Tentative Parcel Map No. 20860 to subdivide a vacant ~0.9-acre parcel at the cul-de-sac of Blossom Court into two residential lots.

Planner Jasmine Serrato described the proposal and the findings supporting the tentative map, noting consistency with the 2035 General Plan and the RS Suburban Residential zoning; staff recommended adoption of Resolution No. 1674. The map would create Parcel 1 (21,250 square feet, ~0.49 acres) and Parcel 2 (18,066 square feet, ~0.41 acres). Serrato said the proposal qualifies for the CEQA exemption that applies to the division of urban residential properties into four or fewer parcels.

During public comment, adjacent owner Susan Martin said a historical barn on her property has a large door that opens into the parcel being subdivided and that prior maps and incomplete surveys raise uncertainty about the true back property line. “The barn that's in question has a 6 foot large door that opens into that property,” Martin said, and she asked the commission to ensure access and the survey are resolved before the map is finalized.

The applicant, who identified himself at the meeting as Alan Gotta, said the property has been surveyed multiple times and offered to help mitigate access, including paying to cut a door if needed. “The property is worth about $10 a foot, and deeding her 300 foot is $30,000,” the applicant said, explaining why he did not want to deed additional area around the barn.

Commissioners questioned whether monuments and survey records would allow correct monumentation and noted a prescriptive-easement claim would be a civil/legal matter requiring adjudication, not a reason to indefinitely delay the map. Several commissioners asked staff to work with the parties if possible and some expressed willingness to delay briefly; others said the encroachment did not preclude recording a parcel map if monuments can be set and lines identified. Commissioner Kukowski moved, and Vice Chair Ensley seconded, a motion to approve TPM No. 20860; the motion passed with the chair recorded as opposing.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the standard recordation process after conditions are met; the adjacent owner's survey work was ongoing at the time of the hearing. The commission recorded no requirement to remove the historic barn; potential prescriptive-easement claims would need separate legal action by the parties.