THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ RECEIVED A FAVORABLE DECISION TODAY (TUESDAY) IN THE FIGHT OVER HERITAGE TREES. JUDGE PAUL MARIGONDA RULED THE CITY IS NOT REQUIRED TO CONDUCT AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF THE CHANGES THE CITY COUNCIL MADE TO THE HERITAGE TREE ORDINANCE IN OCTOBER 2013. (A HERITAGE TREE IS DEFINED BY TRUNK DIAMETER, AGE, OR HISTORIC IMPORTANCE.) THE EXPANDED REVISIONS ALLOW PROPERTY OWNERS TO REQUEST REMOVAL OF THESE TREES IF THEY POSE A HEALTH HAZARD, ARE NON-NATIVE BLUE GUM EUCALPTUS OR ACACIA, OR IF PRESERVING THE TREE CAUSES AN ECONOMIC HARDSHIP.
THE SUIT WAS FILED BY COMMUNITY GROUP SAVE OUR BIG TREES WHO MAY DECIDE TO APPEAL THE RULING.
