IRVINE : Allowing Greenery Without Red Tape

City officials have brought their campaign against unneeded government red tape to an unlikely place--trees.

The City Council recently give preliminary approval to a policy that grants homeowners associations and businesses more power than ever to replace and maintain trees on private land.

“Basically, our goal is to give the authority back to the homeowners and businesses while still protecting the city’s interests,” said Clay Martin, Irvine’s urban forester.

The change is being watched closely by residents in a city whose master-planned villages rely heavily on greenery for their identity and distinctiveness--from the palms of Westpark to the eucalyptuses of Northwood.

Officials doubt that residents will notice any difference in the city’s arbor when the rules go into effect. But they predict the new regulations will make it easier for dying trees to be removed and new ones to be planted.

“I think that whenever we can get the government out of mandating certain things that individuals can choose on their own, that’s a better form of government,” Councilman Barry J. Hammond said. “This is something the city doesn’t have to be involved in.”

Under the old rules, homeowners associations were required to obtain special permits before removing trees from residential areas. A permit is no longer required under the new rules as long as the association or individual homeowner agrees to replace the tree with another one of similar size.

The only exception is for trees near major roads. Removing such a tree still requires a permit because it involves altering a public vista, Martin said.

“We are trying to let homeowners associations that have elected boards take responsibility for their own trees,” he said. “We feel (the old system) added a useless layer of review.”

A similar policy exists for trees in commercial areas and business parks. Business owners will now be able to remove trees that have fallen or block signs without receiving city permission. In most cases, the businesses are required to replace each removed tree with another one elsewhere on the property, Martin said.

Officials said they doubt giving property owners the added powers will cause many trees to be cut down, noting that greenery is considered a strong aesthetic asset in the city.

City officials are now working with business representatives to negotiate some concerns about the new rules raised by the Irvine Chamber of Commerce. The rules are expected to receive final approval from the council later this summer.