Local News in Brief : Sherman Oaks Group Saves Cedars From Ax

A cluster of 70-year-old cedar trees that forms the “gateway” to Sherman Oaks will not fall to a road-widening project, Los Angeles city planners ruled Thursday.

Planning commissioners voted 4 to 0 to preserve the seven trees, which line a block-long section of Van Nuys Boulevard south of Ventura Boulevard.

City engineers had proposed that the first of the trees be chopped down as a requirement for construction of an eight-unit town house development on the west side of Van Nuys Boulevard. Officials said they anticipated removing half a dozen other huge cedars on the block later so the street can be widened.

Sherman Oaks residents and the developer of the condominium opposed the tree-removal requirement, however. They contended that the stately cedars form the scenic gateway to Sherman Oaks’ residential area.

Planners meeting at the Van Nuys Woman’s Club agreed. They said the city would not benefit from the widening of such a short section of Van Nuys Boulevard.

“I see no reason to do it based on the pristine view of what a road should be by some engineer who doesn’t live in the community,” said Daniel Garcia, planning commission chairman. “The trees will stay there.”

To the applause of homeowners, Garcia added: “See, you can fight City Hall and win.”