Lake Tahoe couple fined $400,000 for building violations

Monday, May 3, 1999 | 9 a.m.

Al and Jane Duffield of Incline Village also were ordered to spend $200,000 to make repairs, another $40,000 to restore a stream and to post a $100,000 performance bond.

"The cost, delay and corrective actions that were imposed here should make everyone think twice about departing from TRPA-approved plans," said Jim Baetge, executive director of the bistate agency.

In building a home on Champagne Road, the Duffields violated 54 sections of the agency's code of ordinances, designed to protect the lake famous for its clear blue waters, officials said.

Among other things, the couple is accused of creating more than 3,000 square feet of unapproved coverage, building too close to a stream zone, exceeding height restrictions, removing trees without permission and damaging nearby vegetation.

Many of the problems occurred because the house was designed to maximize allowable limits, the agency said. That restricted flexibility when construction began and required changes.

"This whole process has been a nightmare I would not wish on anyone," Al Duffield said.

"If I could start this project from Day 1, I would have instructed my consultants and contractors to design well within allowable limits to leave room for field adjustments and error."

He said he also wishes his workers had notified the agency when changes were needed, rather than moving forward with the project.

"It is very frustrating to think that it might well have been avoided if someone had just made a call to TRPA to ask if we could do this or do that," he said.

Both sides reached agreement on the settlement with the help of a professional mediator. TRPA likely would have filed a lawsuit had there been no resolution.