HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-25-2016 TC correspondence (Ayral)From: Advisory Bodies
To: Odile Ayral
Subject: RE: TC communication regarding Palomar trees
From: On Behalf Of Odile Ayral
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2016 8:58 AM
To: Advisory Bodies
Cc: E-mail Council Website
Subject: TC communication regarding Palomar trees
Dear Members of the Tree Committee:
When my husband and I planned to add to our home a few years ago, we had to remove a small tree. Due to a
misunderstanding, the staff thought we wanted to remove a large conifer and therefore denied the addition. The
misunderstanding was quickly corrected, but I was impressed by the respect shown to my dear old tree, and I
believed everyone in this town was treated in the same way: you want to cut large trees, you can't build.
Now, I see that it is not the case. Residents and developers are treated differently. If you are a developer, you
can do just about anything you want, even cut forty-nine trees--forty-nine!--in one small area and get away with
it. You can turn a beautiful lush area in our city into a dormitory just to make a few bucks, and get away with
it. Fortunately, we have the Tree Committee to prevent such an outrage, and I believe you will deny this permit
just as you denied our permit when you thought my husband and I wanted to cut down our conifer.
There are two issues at Palomar: the trees that are blocking Luneta, and the trees that are on the property
itself. I understand the necessity of cutting down the trees that are blocking Luneta in order to reopen the street,
and I do not oppose it. On the other hand, the city has nothing to gain with the removal of the trees that are on
the property. In fact, they have everything to lose (the respect of their residents, the character of a
neighborhood, the fairness of their decisions.) Please, do not cave in under the pressure of other staff members,
but listen to the residents and listen to your heart. As members of the Tree Committee, you are here to protect
trees, not to help developers, therefore please deny the removal of the Palomar trees. Thank you.
Odile Ayral