Neighbors of actor Shia LaBeouf win OK to wall out paparazzi

The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to let a Sherman Oaks couple keep a seven-foot wall on their property after they complained that Hollywood paparazzi had repeatedly trespassed while searching for the residence of actor Shia LaBeouf.

Councilman Paul Koretz persuaded his colleagues to overturn two decisions -– first by a zoning administrator, then by the South Valley Area Planning Commission -- denying approval of the block wall, which was erected on Deervale Drive by Joe and Orit Picker.

Koretz said photographers who entered the Pickers’ property “could get a great shot of the patio where Shia LaBeouf could be eating breakfast” next door. He said that most of the neighbors already have overly tall fences and walls.

“It almost seemed like it was required to have one to live in the neighborhood,” he said.

The wall on Deervale Drive stands at 6 feet 6 inches but is a foot taller once light fixtures are included, according to the report submitted to the council. Fences and walls are typically limited to 3 feet 6 inches on residential streets, Koretz said.