Saving Some Trees

Environmentalists are known for their doggedness when it comes to saving natural resources. That, after all, is what they’re all about.

But in these post-Proposition 13 times when it’s almost impossible to get a property tax increase past the voters, it was very impressive that 64% of those who went to the polls in Carlsbad last month voted to raise their taxes in order to save a beautiful 52-acre grove of eucalyptus trees. That included considerably more people than just those who consider themselves environmentalists. Unfortunately, under state law, they fell about 3 percentage points short of a victory.

When that many people vote for a tax increase for any reason, it’s bound to get the attention of the elected officials, and that has been the case with Hosp Grove. Because of its narrow defeat on Nov. 4, the City Council last week moved to again place the issue on the ballot in March. And, sensing the depth of feeling over the issue, the council is working out a different financing scheme so that only majority approval will be required.

This is indeed good news for those who view the grove as an oasis of solace in bustling Carlsbad. It also shows responsiveness on the part of the City Council and the landowner, who has agreed to give the city another chance to purchase the property, which otherwise will be used for a condominium and commercial construction project.

To those who don’t live in Carlsbad or regularly pass Hosp Grove on the freeway, this might seem like one more North County flap over growth. It’s not. It’s actually much simpler than that--it’s just a lot of people who want to save some trees.