Tustin resident Bret Fairbanks can finally sell his home after months of back-and-forth with the city over guest homes at his historic Old Town home.

At a meeting on Tuesday, the Tustin Planning Commission approved the two guest houses on the Pacific Street property.

Fairbanks told the commissioners he lost the sale of his home while he was working to get approval from the city. Though the guest areas above and behind the garage were in place before Fairbanks bought the home, permits were not on file.

The main home and garage were built in 1929 and are listed as historic buildings, city documents stated. But the residences above and behind the garage were not listed as historic and the city had no permits on file for the buildings. The units were built from 1938 to 1950, documents show.

A letter from previous resident Robert Stephen Gaylord stated that the guest areas had been built by the previous owner, his father and a city building inspector, George Gaylord.

The guest homes had been rented out in previous years to family members and to Marines stationed at the former El Toro Marine base.

“This has been a challenging process for the Fairbanks’,” said Planning Commissioner Steve Kozak.

Fairbanks appealed after the city cited safety and code violations. A furnace and exposed electrical wiring, and a heater and gas line next to a wood-sided wall were among the city’s concerns, staff members said at a previous meeting.

“Nobody should have to go through this. Nobody,” Fairbanks said during an emotional appeal to the planning commission.

Information: tustinca.org or 714-573-3000.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7949 or ejames@ocregister.com

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