Be aware; speak up to save local trees
THE SAME CRAFTSMAN as it looks now, with the long-standing trees having been removed.
PRIOR TO BEING removed, a mature deodar cedar stood in the front yard and a 70-foot ash stood in the backyard of a Windsor Square Craftsman house.
The recent unlawful removal of mature trees in the Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) of Windsor Square has put some neighbors on high alert. Lauren Gabor, a longtime resident, first noticed well-loved trees being removed without approval in 2023. Since then, she and other locals have seen more trees being razed on other properties, often to make way for constructing accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
In fact, an historic Craftsman Windsor Square house that Gabor and her husband owned for decades lost a 70-foot ash tree, a mature Chinese pistache and a likely 108-year-old deodar cedar when the new owner decided to clear space to make room for a pool and ADU on the property.
Not knowing who else to call, the couple lodged a complaint with the city, and further tree-cutting ceased. The city stop work order had been put on the property pending review before the Windsor Square HPOZ Board for unauthorized removal of historic trees.
Gabor was heartened to learn that, because Windsor Square and Hancock Park are both HPOZs, there are rules and penalties for homeowners who don’t follow the rules. But, as Gabor pointed out when we spoke, not many people are aware of the protections that are in place and, because of this, trees are being unnecessarily lost.
Neighbors vested in the historic, leafy charm of these neighborhoods hope to educate residents and potential buyers about governing regulations. “It’s one of the few places, aside from Griffith Park, where you have such old trees,” said Gabor. She pointed out that, in many areas of the city, the sun beats down upon us. In juxtaposition, these local areas with old growth trees have filtered light coming through trees that shade homes, provide oxygen, offer habitats for animals and keep energy costs down. “The trees keep the neighborhood looking the way it does and contribute to the urban canopy,” she said.
Because, years ago, neighbors worked hard to designate Windsor Square and Hancock Park as HPOZs, residents of these areas are part of a powerful collective community. As such, decisions regarding building facades and landscapes are not left to one individual.
Gabor informed us that mature trees, in front and in back of residences, fall under the purview of the HPOZ Board. Those property owners who do not comply with regulations are subject to penalties.
The Bureau of Street Services also has rules about tree removal. It prohibits people from removing trees native to California, and noncompliance with the Bureau’s rules results in fines plus the cost of replacing trees and the suspension of building permits for up to 10 years.
Spreading the word about these guidelines is of utmost importance. Even though these safeguards are in place, neighbors are the ones responsible to be the eyes and ears that lead to city enforcement.
Residents who notice unlawful tree removal need to know they are within their rights to call the city. Complaints go to the Department of Building and Safety and, often, a halt is put on any permits that rule-breaking homeowners were hoping to submit. A red alert is put on the property, alerting city departments that work cannot be continued until the registered complaint is resolved.
According to the Code Enforcement Bureau, the case of the Windsor Square craftsman owner who removed two mature trees has been upgraded to an official order to comply.
Residents can help safeguard trees by making sure HPOZ board members are aware of noncompliance issues. Also, when putting a home on the market, sellers can ask their realtors to inform potential buyers about HPOZ guidelines and can encourage brokers and prospective buyers to follow the HPOZ Preservation Plan.
Gabor says she knows that it is a privilege to live in an HPOZ area, but that, “It gives us the authority, but also the responsibility” to take action to care for these neighborhoods. She believes that acting swiftly to save a tree before removal is key.
For more information visit tinyurl.com/2h3sm8vd.
Category: People