MANSION OPPONENTS SAY IT'S TIME TO END FIGHT.

Byline: Lee Condon Staff Writer

To many Glendale residents, the mansion at 3150 El Tovar Drive is more than just a big house.

It's a symbol of their frustration with Glendale City Hall.

Back in 1996, city government was rocked by scandal when residents alleged that the builder, a former member of the Board of Zoning Adjustments, was able to get special favors from city officials. That's why, residents claimed, the builder was able to build a 13,700 square foot home, when he only had a building permit for 8,000 square feet.

The builder said he received city permission for the additions, but an investigator hired by Glendale in 1997 agreed with residents that there was a double standard.

Everyday residents had to adhere to strict codes for any little change they wanted to make at their home, while people with positions and connections at city hall were able to get around local rules, the investigator found.

But now some say it's time for Glendale to put the El Tovar controversy to rest.

Dr. Rahim Karjoo bought the house in 1996 but has so far been unable to move in. He has not been able to correct building code violations left behind by the original builder, who lost the home in foreclosure in 1993. As part of his efforts, Karjoo even bought the home of a next-door neighbor, who claimed that the oversized mansion negatively impacted his property.

Last week, Glendale Zoning Administrator Edith Fuentes ruled that Karjoo should be granted two variances that would exempt him from having to cut off a section of the house in order to meet height requirements.

Among the conditions Karjoo must meet is getting the approval of the city's Design Review Board. If Karjoo clears that hurdle and no one appeals the variance, he will be able to make the required improvements and finally move into the house, ending the El Tovar saga.

Residents have until Nov. 22 to file an appeal.

Some say it's time to let Karjoo get on with his life, noting that he wasn't the one who built the house and that the city was as responsible as the contractor because building inspectors allowed the house to be built.

But others, including Mayor Ginger Bremberg, hope opponents appeal the decision to grant Karjoo the variance.

``I don't like it. I'm a firm believer in following the code,'' Bremberg said. ``I hope somebody appeals. (The city has) spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on this. To just give (Karjoo) everything he wants, it doesn't make sense.''

Resident Carol Gilmore doesn't live near the mansion but said she favors the variance. She first met Karjoo when she wanted to host a tour of the El Tovar mansion as part of a Parent Teacher Association fund-raiser. Gilmore figured that many residents would want to see the inside of the infamous home.

Gilmore said Karjoo should get the variance because correcting the remaining problems would be too much of a hardship.

``They were trying to say he should chop off a part of the house,'' Gilmore said. ``The code says that if something is too punitive in nature you should get a variance. That's what a variance is for.''

Gilmore said she believes Karjoo has made a good-faith effort to correct the problems at the house and reduce the impact on neighbors.

Karjoo could not be reached for comment.

The home has six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, five garages, a swimming pool, tennis courts and several balconies and patios.

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Photo: The house at 3150 El Tovar Drive in Glendale has been the subject of controversy since neighbors complained its builder received favoritism.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer