Ocean views or tall trees?

Andrew Glazer

COSTA MESA -- Residents living along Canyon Park told the City Council on

Monday that trees there are shrinking property values.

They say the leafy branches of eucalyptus trees from Canyon Park are

threatening to block valuable ocean views.

“Homes in Newport and Huntington Beach with ocean views are selling for

triple ours,” said Jim Keller, whose complaints about the disappearing

view prompted the city to look into the matter. “We’d much rather have

our view than the park, even though we love it.”

City staff had come up with a plan that would replace the view-blocking

trees with shorter, native species. But the council on Monday voted to

hold off on implementing it for as long as 60 days.

Among the reasons for the delay was a concern that the proposed

replacement trees -- California live oaks and sycamores -- may grow as

tall as the eucalyptus trees.

Under the proposed plan, the city would limit the amount of trees

replaced in Canyon Park to 35 each year and residents would foot the bill

for replacement. Old trees would not be cut down until the new trees had

grown for three years, and the older trees would not be cut between Jan.

1 and Aug. 31, when birds of prey typically nest there.

Parks Manager David J. Alkema, who helped prepare the proposal, was

unavailable for comment Tuesday.

The council Monday night voted to wait two months for the California

Coastal Commission to review the plan before moving ahead.

Andrew King, whose family is the third generation to live in his Republic

Avenue home, said he expects that 20 eucalyptus trees will entirely block

his ocean view in three years.

“We didn’t put the trees there,” said King. “The city made a mistake, now

they should fix it.” He said his home will lose half its value once

treetops replace his ocean view.

While both Keller and King applauded the council’s efforts to find a

solution, they suggested the city instead look into replacing the trees

with lower-growing chaparral or shrubs.

Coucilwoman Libby Cowan, along with the rest of the council, asked the

city’s public services staff to explore other native trees that may be

appropriate for the area.