OAK-PROTECTION RULES REVISED BIGGER TREES NOW REQUIRE CUTTING PERMITS.Byline: Eugene Tong Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - The city made last-minute revisions this week to its just-revised oak protection ordinance, requiring permits for removal of any trees more than 12 inches in circumference. The updated laws were being read Tuesday for the second and final time before the Santa Clarita City Council when Councilwoman Marsha McLean questioned a new provision allowing homeowners to remove oaks 25 inches around or less without a permit. Previously, only trees with circumferences of 6 inches or less were exempt. ``It's too big for people to take out without coming to the city,'' she said. ``They should still come before the planning commission Noun 1. planning commission - a commission delegated to propose plans for future activities and developments commission, committee - a special group delegated to consider some matter; "a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours" - Milton Berle . That's too big of a tree, I think.'' McLean struck a compromise for 12 inches. The council unanimously approved the change, which is set for another reading March 8 before becoming law. City officials have said the change were intended to prevent homeowners from cutting down trees about to come under city protection. ``People are so oak tree-savvy, they're yanking them before they get to 2 inches (in diameter),'' Councilman Frank Ferry said. The panel also asked city staff to draft ordinance education and enforcement guidelines. The oak tree protection was adopted as one of the 18-year-old city's first laws, intended to ``protect and preserve oak trees in the city'' that were threatened by development. The revised ordinance also allows owners of single-family homes to remove as many as five oaks Five Oaks is a hamlet in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. The hamlet lies about 3km north of Billingshurst on the roman road of Stane Street (now the A29) at the junction with the Western end of the A264. from their properties - an increase from three trees - with the planning director's approval. Removing a ``heritage oak tree'' - one at least 108 inches in girth GIRTH., A girth or yard is a measure of length. The word is of Saxon origin, taken from the circumference of the human body. Girth is contracted from girdeth, and signifies as much as girdle. See Ell. - or more than six oaks will require permission from the city Planning city planning, process of planning for the improvement of urban centers in order to provide healthy and safe living conditions, efficient transport and communication, adequate public facilities, and aesthetic surroundings. Commission. The $80 pruning pruning, the horticultural practice of cutting away an unwanted, unnecessary, or undesirable plant part, used most often on trees, shrubs, hedges, and woody vines. permit fee has been waived, but homeowners must use a city-certified arborist for the job. Encroachment An illegal intrusion in a highway or navigable river, with or without obstruction. An encroachment upon a street or highway is a fixture, such as a wall or fence, which illegally intrudes into or invades the highway or encloses a portion of it, diminishing its width or area, but - or any intrusion into a tree's protected zone - is now categorized as either ``minor'' or ``major,'' with each requiring different permitting. Eugene Tong, (661) 257-5253 eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com |
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