Question: In 2011 I remember reading about a dispute over the front gate of Duane "Dog" Chapman’s estate in Portlock as to the height and signage on the gate. It came down to a $50-a-day fine. I was riding my bike in the Portlock area recently, and it looks like the offending gate is still up. I was wondering, has the matter been resolved one way or the other?
Answer: The gate, featuring a replica badge with the visage of the reality TV star and the words "D.L. Chapman/Bounty Hunter, United States of America/271097," remains up, but still without the approval of the city Department of Planning and Permitting.
Although the initial violations involved a lack of a building permit for the
8-foot-high gate and alleged prohibited sign (the "badge"), the only outstanding violation is the lack of a self-locking gate, required because of a swimming pool.
Fines, as of March 2, total $64,200 and continue to accrue against Craig and Karen Mills, owners of the Portlock Road property, said Art Challacombe, deputy director of Planning and Permitting.
However, the Millses have been in contact with an inspector "to resolve the matter," he said last week.
Chapman, who is renting the home, is not involved in the dispute.
In fact, although DPP initially cited the owners for a prohibited commercial sign, it concluded that the "badge" did not meet the definition of a "commercial" sign under Chapter 21 of the city’s Land Use Ordinance and was not advertising any business activity at the site.
That’s because the number shown — 271097 — is Chapman’s prisoner number, given when he was imprisoned in Texas after being convicted of murder in 1977. (He served two years before being paroled in 1979.)
"If that gate featured a business license number or other information related to or advertising a business, we would have considered that a violation of the sign ordinance," Challacombe said.
Timeline of Citations
» Nov. 5, 2010: DPP first issued a Notice of Violation for installing the gate without a permit to the Millses, who listed a Las Vegas address.
The owners requested and were granted three extensions to correct the violation, Challacombe said.
» July 27, 2011: No building permit was obtained and DPP issued a Notice of Order, which is accompanied by a fine.
» Aug. 27, 2011: The violation was not corrected, and daily fines of $50 began accruing.
» July 23, 2012: The owners were issued a building permit for the fence.
However, the building code requires a self-locking gate if there is a swimming pool on the property. Because the entry gate is for the only fence on the property, it must meet the lock requirement.
"The owners and their local representative were notified of this requirement on several occasions," Challacombe said. Because of this, the fines are continuing to be assessed.
Asked if the owners were contesting the requirement/ fines, Challacombe said, "The Mills missed the window of opportunity to file an appeal" but are trying to resolve the matter.
Mahalo
To three people, on behalf of my elderly parents. Several weeks ago my mother fainted and fell outside of the Windward Mall entrance while my dad parked their car. Mahalo to the wonderful couple and their friend from Waimanalo who offered assistance and care to my mom. We are grateful for their care and kindness. God bless. — The Navares Ohana
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