By: Andrew Hoover Chino Hills – The City of Chino Hills has recently been under fire due to the encroachment notices it has been sending out these last few years, which caused a lawsuit and several city meetings regarding the issue. Encroachment is a term which implies “advance beyond proper limits,” meaning the boundary lines for the city and homes. Each home is built within its own boundary area that contains a certain square footage limit between them and the cities protected open space. The protection of these open space areas has led to the rural atmosphere that resident’s treasure, according to the city’s website. Chino Hills has been handing out encroachment notices since early 2010, after recently switching to digitally recording its boundaries in 2008. This new system has allowed officials to see the exact boundary line and what houses are built over city property. Over 200 homes throughout the city have been identified as building over city property and more are expected to be found. Most of the homes that have been identified have already handed in plans and drawings for their home improvements, resulting in a permit from the city prior to the digital recording of boundary lines. Many of the residents who have appeared at the City Council Meetings have voiced their concerns on the matter explaining that they have submitted the proper paperwork stating what they were to build, as well as plans and drawings for landscaping, and even obtained the proper permits by the city. Kim and Mike Denton, a family and residents of Chino Hills, responded to the encroachment notices with a lawsuit. The Dentons had moved into their home in 1995 due to the lush and lavish backyard featuring palm trees, a pool, a spa, and a beautiful view of the hills that was left by the previous owner. However, their paradise became a nightmare when they were slapped with an encroachment notice from the city explaining to them that their backyard was encroaching upon city property and they must remove parts of it, including electricity, irrigation, fencing, and part of their pool. Further details on the lawsuit were unable to be obtained until the lawsuit finalizes.