City Moves to Protect Lake Views
Shrubs grow along Lake Mission Viejo, but maybe not for much longer.
In a move to protect the views of the city’s artificial lake, the City Council on Monday denied an appeal by the Lake Mission Viejo Assn. regarding a row of young oleander and calliandra bushes planted along a 1,500-foot stretch of shore.
Lake officials will have to remove the plants within 10 days or turn in a site plan detailing when the bushes must be trimmed, where they can be planted and other restrictions.
“Had the lake association come in with a site plan on these issues . . . all of these things would have been properly considered,” Councilwoman Sherri M. Butterfield said.
The Planning Commission ruled Nov. 10 that the shrubs violate a city ordinance enacted in 1989 to preserve lake views.
About 40 people showed up Monday for the appeal.
Among the group was Alan Burns, an attorney for the association, who criticized the city’s lake view ordinance as vague.
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