mr. ballinger, you have seven minutes. >> i am a resident at 285 mullen avenue, across the street from the lots in question. i was unable to attend the variance hearing. i sent a letter with my objections to that hearing. i believe the variance was granted without attention to the demerits of redrawing these property lines. these small buildings across the street from me were formally outbuildings of a larger victorian house that were split off from the property about 25 years ago. they were evidently garages, because there are three curb cuts that remain, facing the two buildings. perhaps 30 or 40 years ago, they were converted into small residences and have been taken care of and rented out for all the years i have been there, which is 35 years. the proposal to redraw the lot lines makes sense for the new owners. they have a common agreement and can separate their property and enjoy the full use of separate properties. i am not completely opposed to this idea. but i am afraid that allowing this to go through without any restrictions will let these very small lots develop into large, buil

mr. ballinger, you have three minutes. >> if you want to indulge me for an extra minute, i can explain why the curb cuts are red. the city map shows that as no parking all along one side of mullen avenue, but the neighbors refused to accept that and took them on the signs. it is very congested. this dispute goes back at least 35 years. that is why the curb cuts remain red. the city did come out and repaint the curbs. but some spots remain from that history. i have a few points i would like to make. i still don't understand why the owners could build as the buildings exist right now, when they are clearly crossing existing property lines -- how they could get financing, city approval. their assertion that they do not need this after all strikes me as hollow. i think they do need this if they plan to develop and enlarge their buildings. once again, the notion of several small lots existing in the neighborhood -- there are not. they are all built upon with large buildings that use a march to lot to develop. buildable small lots are not available. this lot, as approved, at less than 1100 squar