DEVELOPER ACCUSED OF VIOLATING TREE LAW\Oaks removed without permit, planners say.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

Los Angeles County planning officials have accused a key Stevenson Ranch developer of violating a county ordinance by cutting down three century-old oaks in Pico Canyon in the fall.

In a letter dated Jan. 10 to Dale Poe Development Corp., the county Regional Planning Department accused the Agoura Hills-based firm of removing the trees without the proper permits. Oaks are protected under a county ordinance.

If Dale Poe fails to respond, the case could be referred to the county district attorney, said Dave Vannatta, planning deputy for county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

A guilty verdict in the misdemeanor case could mean a six-month jail term or a $1,000 fine for each day in violation of the ordinance.

"It has been reported by the Forestry Division that three heritage oak trees were cut down in the Pico Canyon area in violation of the provisions" of the county oak-tree removal law, the letter said. "This action is in violation of the provisions of the Los Angeles County Zoning Ordinance."

Dale Poe officials, who said they hadn't received the letter, declined to comment.

"We've heard nothing of this issue from the county planning office," said Ed Pickett, Dale Poe's vice president of operations. "There's been no conversation with county planning officials."

Environmentalists, stung by the trees' removal, were pleased with the county's action.

"I'm excited. I think it's very good," said Cynthia Neal-Harris, a member of the Santa Clarita Oak Conservancy, which brought the allegation to county officials' attention.

In October, environmentalists said, the developer removed the trees so it could widen Pico Canyon Road and build a planned subdivision road. Environmentalists charge that the developer used an invalid permit to cut down the trees and failed to affix special metal tags to trees scheduled for removal.