Palms, Schmalms : Yorba Linda Almost Bans Lofty Southland Symbols

What’s the difference between a lofty palm tree and an ugly power pole?

Hardly anything, according to City Councilman Mark Schwing, and he wants the trees banned.

“I just don’t like palm trees in Yorba Linda,” Schwing told fellow council members Tuesday. “I think they are great. They just don’t belong . . . in the rural Southern California atmosphere Yorba Linda is trying to emulate.”

Schwing’s motion to ban the trees resulted in a 2-2 City Council deadlock.

“Southern California is replete with palm trees,” said Councilman Roland E. Bigonger, who voted against the motion.

“Today palms, tomorrow ficus trees,” cracked Councilman Irwin M. Fried, the other “no” vote.

Schwing said the extremely tall palms planted at the new Yorba Linda Packing House shopping center at Imperial Highway and Yorba Linda Boulevard show why the trees should be prohibited.

Power poles along the street were removed as unsightly, he said, then they were replaced with “all these poles with leaves on top.”

Mayor Gene Wisner sided with Schwing. “In residential areas, palm trees can be used quite nicely, but we’re doing everything we can to get our utility poles underground. Why have landscaping that looks like telephone poles?” Wisner said.

Councilman Henry W. Wedaa, who could have cast the deciding vote, was out of town, according to the city staff.

City Manager Arthur C. Simonian apparently settled the issue, however, when he assured the council that he would advise future developers that palm trees are a “sensitive issue” with the City Council and other landscaping alternatives should be considered.