On January 24 the second stand of majestic poplar trees on Camwest "Tyler Creek" property came crashing down. The bordering East Valley Heights neighborhood is furious. A promise had been broken.
Neighborhood leaders insist their community was repeatedly told by the city and Camwest "how lucky they were to be working with such a generous builder...who had made concessions to keep the Poplar trees along the border or E. Valley Heights & Tyler Creek." Not only did the trees provide a nostalgic reminder of the old farm but the trees assist drainage.
According to Camwest, their decision about how to manage the Poplars would be based on the final lot configuration. They made no promises to the community to save the trees during the public review process, though some neighbors couldn't remember.
WHY didn't the city clarify the conditional intentions? WHY didn't the city respond directly to these neighbors when project planning was underway?
Council President McCormick's after-the-fact response was a commiserating tactic of "feel, felt, found". McCormick's findings? The Constitution -- allowing property owners to use their property -- is "the culprit". Not so sure about that! The problem is the city. The city gives "permission" i.e. PERMITS to use the land according to city standards and values. In this case, the city has no standard of conduct. Most unfortunate.
In the least, the city should require one new tree be planted for every fallen tree. More critical - these Poplars were healthy and not a hazard to the community. Camwest removed them primarily because they were "unsightly" and didn't fit with the project entryway.
The City development department is partly responsible for 'trashing' our neighborhood culture. "Together we make a community of good neighbors?" Remember Mayor Ives motto?
[Harkness,McCormick,& emails archived in the Government Email Group on the front page] 1/29/2007
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