Pressured Banning White House Owner Agrees to Stop Commercial Operations

The owner of the Banning White House has signed an agreement with the city of Banning to stop using the hilltop mansion as a rental and venue for fundraisers and non-profit parties, and it has stopped advertising online for commercial purposes.

City officials took code enforcement action against the White House in late September after complaints by residents who live in a subdivision built downhill from the mansion, several decades after the White House was built.

Horace McCoy, a son of Beaumont's first mayor John McCoy, built the mansion in 1947, according to Banning White House manager Pamela Scott.

Banning's city council voted 5-0 Tuesday night to have city staff sign the settlement.

According to the settlement with the city, the final events at the Banning White House will be

1. A wedding Nov. 12 with "less than 100 attendees," billed as an alcohol-free event, which includes overnight stays by "no more than 25 people" who will rent the White House from Nov. 11 to Nov. 13.

2. A "Sweet 16" party on Dec. 17 with "less than 100 attendees," also billed as an alcohol-free event.

3. A New Years Eve wedding and one-week rental by "no more than 25 people" from Dec. 26, 2011, to Jan. 3, 2012. The wedding includes "no more than 200 attendees" from the evening of Dec. 31 to the morning of Jan. 1, according to the settlement. Alcohol will be served.

The settlement agreement was signed Oct. 6 by Erwin Dale Thomas, president of Memorial Health Mission LLC, owner of the Banning White House. The settlement was added to the city council agenda about 4 p.m. Tuesday, shortly before the regularly-scheduled council meeting.

Mary Kay Switzer, an organizer of events at the White House, wrote to the city council and asked City Clerk Marie Calderon to include her message as part of the record.

"Closing the Banning White House down only creates more problems and destroys a unique landmark," Switzer said. "It seems so senseless to close something so rare and fine."

Switzer also praised Scott, the White House manager, for bringing "much happiness and inspiration into the lives of many."

The six-page settlement agreement and release of all claims between Memorial Health Mission LLC and the city of Banning is "to terminate fully finally all disputes arising out of, or related to, the Dispute defined hereinafter."

The site where the White House is situated is zoned "hillside/agricultural-residential." The site was originally part of a much larger property, and in 1979 a portion of the property was subdivided into two lots - the "residential neighborhood" - and the primary access to the White House now goes through the residential neighborhood, according to the settlement.

The owner has been using the White House as a commercial rental venue for large parties and assemblies, such as weddings, fundraisers and non-profit parties, according to the settlement. The White House is widely and publicly advertised as a rental venue and it regularly serves as a rental venue.

The settlement states the use of the White House for commercial purposes "causes numerous complaints from the residential neighborhood primarily due to the excessive traffic through the neighborhood during scheduled events . . . "

Commercial uses at the White House are in violation of its zoning under Banning municipal code, and on Sept. 29, 2011, the owner and the owner's property management were served with a notice of violation by Banning code enforcement, according to the settlement.

The owner of the White House contends it has been used "in this fashion for many years and at various times application was made for permits and changes in zoning treatment, and claims that non-conforming rights were created . . . "

The White House owner also wants to avoid violating any agreements for events already scheduled, according to the settlement.

The city of Banning "believes that there are no non-conforming rights and currently scheduled events should only be permitted if no further events are scheduled," according to the settlement.

The owner of the White House shall take action to "wind down commercial events at the site and bring it into compliance with city zoning laws," according to the settlement.

The city agrees to release the White House owner from all code enforcement and other liability, and permits the White House owner and management to stage previously scheduled events between now and Jan. 3, 2012.

In exchange, the White House owner and management agree to stop using the site for commercial purposes and to take down the web site advertising the White House for commercial purposes, according to the settlement.

The full text of Switzer's message to the council and the city clerk follows.

"To the members of the Banning City Council:

"Here are my thoughts to share with the Banning City Council. Please share this as part of the agenda item on Tuesday's Council meeting. The agenda item I an referencing is the Banning White House. I cannot attend the meeting, but as a long time resident, I would appreciate this becoming a part of the record. Please read this out loud during the meeting. Thank you!

"Pamela Sue Scott, has done a great deal to bring much happiness and inspiration into the lives of many.

"She has hosted/sponsored the Joplin flood relief concert and sent proceeds to rebuild that town. She has hosted/sponsored the various ART productions which are all done as charity fundraisers.  She has hosted/sponsored the 'A Chat with Erma Bombeck' which was for Operation Kidz Komfort. These are just a few examples!

"She has provided an opportunity to honor the great playwright, Tennessee Williams for the National Anniversary Celebration of what would have been his 100th birthday. And the Banning White House - Banning, California!!! - was cited on the national listing of events done in his honor--with the great classic, 'Glass Menagerie.' And during this play, a young girl from the community got her chance to perform a role that many great actresses have made famous. And now this young lady is performing in theatrical productions in Manhattan. Pamela helped this young Latina get her feet started up the ladder. And--at the same time-- Pamela helped a local food bank, HELP, and Operation KIdz Komfort.

"And that is what often happens in community theatre. Many youngsters get their start this way and travel successfully into greatness. And they all cite their home towns as the place where they got their starts!!!

"She has fed the homeless. She even helped a concert pianist find his way again.

"She has brought laughter and joy into the hearts of many people.

"She provided opportunities in theatre for culturally and ethnically diverse youngsters to be involved in the richness of theatre -- such as the classic 'It's a Wonderful Life' or the inspirational 'I Remember Mama.'

"She provided an opportunity for Banning High School students to do community service by helping with the ART events and the giving of canned food items to the homeless and needy.

"She has not done this to fill her pockets. She has done this with joy in order to give back to society in order to help those in need. Moreover, she has also provided a wonderful place for R&R for the people of the Pass area.

"Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher, emphasized the need for just sitting and enjoying natural beauty -- as well as the theatre, 'To build character and spirit.' 

"As Mark Antony says in Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar,' 'Caesar has given you his lands and arbors so that you can re-create yourselves...was this a man like no other?' Humans need to have a place to 're-create' their inner spirits.

"She created a haven for people to enjoy the wonderful natural beauty of the mountains with the circling hawks. As mentioned in the classic musical, 'Oklahoma' -- 'the hawks making lazy circles in the sky/we know we belong to the land/and the land we belong to is grand.' And the environment surrounding the Banning White House is grand!!! It is something that Banning residents can point to with pride and observe that no other town in the Inland Empire has such a spot. Even the sons and grandsons of the original owners stated that they have a great sense of pride in the recent use of the Banning White House!

"Pamela has done this without much fanfare and in an orderly fashion. She has always provided security guards at all events to handle parking. She allowed several handicapped senior adults the chance to participate in wonderful, inspirational theatrical events. I am one of them.

"She has also created a fun atmosphere in which to revisit the old West and dress for the event to watch 'De ja Vu: Number Ten Saloon.'  Always these productions were done for charities.

"The Banning White House is a wonderful landmark for Banning. It is something that Banning has that is extraordinary and unique. People love to bask in the serenity of the wonderful vistas viewed from the Banning White House. These vistas are breathtaking!

"To do away with this landmark and diminish its value is something that will be a great loss to this community.

"The Banning White House sits at the end of a cul de sac and gives all visitors a chance to see many vistas. The road leading up to the Banning White House ends in a cul de sac.  It has been this way for years and years. The cul de sac does not start with the road leading up the Banning White House -- no, it ends at the Banning White House.

"I would recommend that the city leaders set up another road to this historic site. I think it is a disservice to the city to let this house stand empty during this downturn in the economy. Because that is what will happen.

"If the Banning White House is left up on the hillside to fall into disrepair from lack of use, this will be a tremendous disservice to the city.  It would be the loss of a valuable resource.

"I call on our imaginative city leaders to find a way. Have a fund drive to build another access road to the Banning White House? Or find another method to set up an access road?

"Why destroy something that is unique and a lovely historic landmark?  Especially now when Banning is getting ready to celebrate an historic birthday?? Think of using the Banning White House in that historic celebration!!!! Fantastic!!

"Get behind the White House and find a way to keep it open to continue the good works that have been contributing positively to the community.

"There are many ways this site could be preserved: Reopen the road on the other side that was closed. Set up a committee to investigate this possibility and others. Be effective problem solvers -- isn't that the goal of any city official?

"Closing the Banning White House down only creates more problems and destroys a unique landmark. It seems so senseless to close something so rare and fine.

"Stand behind this wonderful, historic landmark.

"Why lose this special feature?

"People have come up to enjoy this escape from the cares and woes of the economic mess. People want to have a place to go to without bucking the awful freeway traffic, smog, and big city crush of humanity. Here it is -- right in our own back yard!!!!! This influx of visitors to enjoy events at the Banning White House will enrich Banning's economy and popularity. Think of the slogan, 'Shop the Pass.' Why kill something that would encourage this action?

"Why not cultivate this awesome beginning and keep it going? Consider the many people who have come to events and have gone away with a smile on their lips and a feeling that tomorrow will not be bleak.

"Appreciate this glorious landmark!!! We elected some creative, imaginative leaders to enhance and cultivate the best that is Banning. Well, here is something more to cultivate.

"I have lived in seven states and two foreign countries. I have not found the likes of the Banning White House in any of those places!!! Make the most of it. Put on your thinking caps and develop a solution. Preserve this historic landmark. Surely, you, our own City Council, can find a way!

"My brother was a long time resident and former chief of staff of the local hospital here. He loved the Banning White House and often jogged up the hill to refresh himself from his cares. He loved Banning. He would have been sad to see this landmark closed to the public for their enjoyment. He always encouraged his patients to enjoy nature. Many responded to his care by nominating him to be honored by Prevention magazine as one of the 'Top Ten Physicians in the United States' -- one of two so honored in California. He was often asked why he left Mayo's to come to Banning to practice. He would respond by saying that the Banning environment won him over. Please retain this valuable piece of special Banning environment!!

"Sincerely,

"Dr. Mary Kay Switzer"