Even the city needs a permit to pull out a protected tree.
During demolition and clearing of the 401 Rosita site for construction of a soccer and ball field, the city pulled out a protected redwood tree.
But they issued themselves a permit to do it.
"If there's a rational, good reason for taking out a tree out, it comes out," said Bruce Bane, director of public works.
"Trees and playing fields don't mix. We were sorry to take it out, but we can't have it in the middle of a soccer field. Or out in left field, either," Bane said.
Neighbor Marya Keeth was not happy to see the city pull out many 40- to 50-year-old trees.
"If I had known, I would have stayed home from work and chained myself to a tree," she told the council.
In Los Altos, four species of trees are protected, said Larry Tong, director of planning: oak, redwood, sycamore and laurel. Trees that are 48 inches around at 48 inches above ground need a permit to be removed, Tong said.
Weed abatement at Tree Farm
The Los Altos City Council granted a three-week extension to the Tree Farm developers to clean up the weeds and debris on their land at 4434 El Camino Real.
Then the city plans to enact its new weed abatement ordinance and go in and clean it up and bill the owners if the work is not done.
In a Jan. 12 letter to the city manager, Oliver Lin, a Los Altos resident, member and spokesman for the Tree Farm Associates, offered to deposit $20,000 with the city to ensure that the debris is removed within three weeks.
The Tree Farm folks could go to bid and possibly get the work done for less than the city would charge as the city's fees would include administrative costs.
The city has been working with the Tree Farm developers for months to clean up the site.
On Oct. 23, 1998, one of the partners, Beverly Brockway, sued the other partners. This action has thrown the project into a legal limbo.
- Joanne Griffith Domingue
Call Domingue or editor Bruce Barton at the Town Crier with news tips: 948-9000.