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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

More on Tree and Views

Your neighbor hands you an ultimatum. Cut down those trees or else!
Or else what?  Or else go to court.

Wait. They can't do that, can they?  If this is a tree vs. view case in any of the towns that have a tree/view/sunlight ordinance, they can, but not quite that fast. 

All the tree regs in all the towns with ordinances provide a step by step method for resolving your dispute before going to court. Sausalito even has a Tree Committee. All the towns require informal discussion first, followed by an attempt to mediate.

And by the way, the one initiating the mediation doesn't get to choose the mediator. It needs to be done mutually. If they suggest one, don't agree until you've had a chance to review the person's bona fides and look into some alternatives.

If you don't want to mediate, arbitration is an option with a neutral arbitrator, (professional or not), or with the Tree Committee in Sausalito. 

Don't want to arbitrate? You can get an informal opinion from the Tree Committee, and  if you get invited to appear, you better show up, or it will be your burden to overcome their opinion in court if it goes against you.

Make sure you get your own consulting arborist to evaluate the situation and a competent tree attorney to represent you.  

A note on mediation: A while back, I asked all the towns with tree/view/sunlight ordinances in Marin County if they provided a list of neutral mediators for tree disputes. None did. That's too bad, because it's hard to know on your own what mediator has experience with your kind of case.  Your arborist may have some ideas.  But remember, the mediator must be mutually decided on by you and your neighbor.

Consider one that has an expert consulting arborist/tree risk assessor as part of the team. That way, you and the neighbor can save money, save time and get a neutral scientific evaluation of the problem.  You just might save your relationship as well.


Thursday, July 11, 2013

Sausalito's Tree Regs - and Whoops!

On the same day a eucalyptus fell down and went boom across Highway 101 in Sausalito, the City sent out a reminder of its tree regulations:

From the Marin IJ:


SAUSALITO

The city is reminding residents that there is a fine of up to $1,000 for altering, pruning, shaping, trimming, topping or removing any protected, heritage, dedicated or city-owned tree without a tree/alteration permit.

Among protected trees are any coast live oak on developed private property measuring 4 inches or more in diameter, trees with special significance as deemed by resolution of the City Council as well as city-owned trees.

When in doubt, call Lilly Schinsing at 289-4134 or email her at lschinsing@ci.sausalito.ca.us with questions.

Note: A eucalyptus is considered an "undesirable" tree in Sausalito and many other locations.  Know your local code!