SANTA ANA : It Took TLC to Save Neighborhood Trees

Residents who live along Cabrillo Park Drive learned this week that it is possible to fight City Hall--and win.

Most of the 132 liquidambar trees that line both sides of their street were once only weeks away from being removed because their massive roots were causing extensive damage to sidewalks. But the trees have been saved as a result of the protest staged by hundreds of residents who claimed that removing the liquidambars would destroy their neighborhood and lower property values.

Residents started a petition drive, spoke out at City Council meetings and formed the 400-member Trees Living on Cabrillo Park (TLC) Alliance, and the effort convinced city officials to change their minds about the trees.

“This has really given us some faith in the system,” said Paula Cobb, who led the movement to save the trees. “It’s been a heartwarming experience that has really pulled this neighborhood together. There’s a community spirit now that has never existed before in the 10 years that I’ve lived here.”

This week, city officials sat down with leaders of TLC Alliance and came up with a plan they believe will solve the sidewalk problem and save most of the liquidambars. They plan to install a meandering sidewalk around many of the trees and do some “root shaving” on other trees that they say may reduce the diameter of some of the roots by as much as 50%, said Larry Christian, city maintenance manager.

“It looks like we will be able to save at least 77 trees if we do some modifications and we’re going to do our darndest to save the remaining ones as well,” Christian said.

Before the meandering sidewalk can be installed, at least two-thirds of the residents must approve a ballot measure saying that they are willing to give up a five-foot easement lining the edges of the several condominium and townhouse complexes on Cabrillo Park Drive.

“I believe that when all the facts are presented to the homeowners, we won’t have a problem getting their approval,” Cobb said.

Councilmen Miguel A. Pulido Jr. and John Acosta, who both approved the removal project on May 7, pledged support to the residents during a TLC Alliance meeting last Saturday. Pulido said this week that most of the council wasn’t aware of the impact that removing the trees would have.

To avoid such incidents in the future, Pulido has requested that the council hold a study session to examine the possibility of forming a seven-member tree advisory board that would review all tree-removal projects.

Fullerton resident Alden Kelley, a consulting arborist, said he has been watching the Cabrillo Park Drive situation with interest and has examined many of the liquidambars once slated for removal. He said the trees are in excellent condition and are worth about $5,000 each.