Council moves to change oak tree law

TREE PEOPLEJoan Edwards of Westlake Village attended Tuesdays City Council meeting along with several other city residents to encourage the council to take further steps to protect oak trees following the controversy at Westlake Plaza. Audience members donned green cut-outs of trees to show their unity. Photos by IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers The citys oak tree ordinance will likely be revised after the law, changed in 2010 to allow for easier removal of owner-planted oak trees, permitted the felling of nearly 200 trees at Westlake Plaza.

On May 13, the City Council voted 4-0 to start the process to change the permitting process. Councilmember Andy Fox was absent. The planning commission will review potential revisions to the law and make recommendations to the council, which will decide what, if anything, to amend.

At its next meeting on May 27, the council will consider placing a moratorium on the tree ordinance to prohibit city staff from approving tree removal permits under the current exemption for owner-planted oak trees and a provision that allows removal of parking lot oak and landmark trees with city staff approval. The ban would be in place while the municipal code amendment is being considered.

I personally consider both of those laws to be dangerous, said Councilmember Al Adam, who suggested the moratorium.

The council members agreed that the oak tree protection law needed to be revised.

I think all of us are extremely unhappy with what happened (at Westlake Plaza), said Councilmember Jacqui Irwin, who along with Fox voted in favor of changing the law in 2010. It was completely shocking to go by that center. . . . We really need to make sure that this absolutely doesnt happen again.

The council also voted to have city staff research and recommend guidelines for applicants to educate the public about their projects, and to provide easier access to information about pending and approved oak tree permit applications on the citys website.

Regency Centers began cutting down trees in early April with the citys permission but without informing the City Council or the public, sparking outrage among many local residents. I n response to the outcry, John Prescott, the citys community development director, said that city staff is working with Regency to alter its renovation plans and preserve more trees at the plaza.

SENSITIVE SUBJECTT.O. resident and local landscape architect James Dean urges the city to consult tree experts as they consider modifying the tree removal permitting process. In the background is Community Development Director John Prescott, whose office gave approval for 36 protected trees to be cut down at Westlake Plaza. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Changes to the law

FACE TO FACEThousand Oaks City Council member Jacqui Irwin, right, talks with Westlake resident Shoshanna Brower and fellow community members after the councils discussion about modifying its tree ordinance on Tuesday night. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Council members said they will review and possibly revise changes made to the oak tree law in 2002 and 2010.

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Council moves to change oak tree law