By Jim Shilander
San Clemente city staff will be working to develop a plan to deal with the impact of publicly owned trees on private views as part of a formulation of a larger civic tree ordinance, the City Council voted Tuesday.
The council had looked for guidance on the policy from three other bodies, including the Planning Commission, Golf Course Committee and Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission in the last several months. But two of the three sent the proposal back to the council after voicing concerns about moving into private view protection.
Councilman Bob Baker, who initially proposed a “good neighbor” policy that would allow for citizens to pay for the removal and replacement of public trees if they blocked their views said he was glad the subject was still being considered, even if it had engendered controversy for the city.
Two areas that brought particular controversy may see solutions sooner. The city and resident Bill Stewart are looking into what can be done at a site near Stewart’s south San Clemente home. The trees at the site have blocked his view, Stewart said. Landscaping improvements, including the potential removal of trees, could be made there under the city’s current regulations, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director Sharon Heider said.
At Verde Park, the city must still negotiate with the Capistrano Unified School District to determine what trees are on what land. City officials indicated that the district has said it does not want to see trees removed from the park. The city will look at increasing the frequency of pruning there.
Discussion about this post