"I was pregnant and crying, but it didn't help."
An unlucky young couple in Glendale, CA got hit such a huge fine for trimming some native trees without the proper permit that you simply won't believe it. Read the article.
Naturally the couple started a website about it, where I found under "Improve the Ordinance" this comment by a certified arborist: "In 28 years in the business, I have found tree preservation policies mostly an impediment to good tree care." Yeah, that's what happened in my town. Passionate single-issue activists were much more vocal in our tree-law-writing process than, oh, arborists and people who believe that dead and dying trees might pose a hazard to human safety.
Oh, okay, the fine was $347,600. I'd be crying, too.
Thanks to Kathy Purdy for the story, which she spied on Ethereal Voice.
I'm pretty sure the city reversed all the fines last month. A local radio talk show went crazy over this issue and basically badgered the city into doing the right thing.
Posted by: Fern R | December 26, 2007 at 07:52 PM
In the town I live in, the licensed contractor (if you use one) is responsible for knowing about all regulations and obtaining all permits. This applies to tree guys, lawn guys, roofing guys, fence-erecting guys, the works--and it's why it's usually easier to just hire a licensed contractor rather than have your brother-in-law Ned do the job.
On the other hand, do-it-yourselfers aren't off the hook in this town: you still have to get a permit, get inspected, and conform to city codes.
In this instance, I don't understand why the licensed contractor isn't the one who was fined and held liable.
Posted by: Lisa | December 26, 2007 at 08:03 PM
Seems to me this would fall in the category of "cruel and unusual punishment."
Posted by: Ed Bruske | December 27, 2007 at 04:51 AM
Seems to me this would fall in the category of "cruel and unusual punishment."
Posted by: Ed Bruske | December 27, 2007 at 04:52 AM
There was an article in the NYT or some place just the other day (can't find it now) about a similar problem. An insurance company told a homeowner to prune his trees or lose his insurance, and the city refused to issue a permit. Eventually they did but he had to spend a lot of time getting it worked out.
Municipalities that pass tree legislation really need to look at it from all angles.
Posted by: chuck b. | December 27, 2007 at 08:24 PM