This one is so low to the ground that it creates a hazard by blocking the view of oncoming traffic for people turning left by the Mozy Cafe.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Shrub City USA
While the city is killing Encinitas' historic 101 canopy, it's replacing the stately Eucalyptus trees with small species like arbutus that hardly merit the word "tree."
This one is so low to the ground that it creates a hazard by blocking the view of oncoming traffic for people turning left by the Mozy Cafe.
This one is so low to the ground that it creates a hazard by blocking the view of oncoming traffic for people turning left by the Mozy Cafe.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is an example of a city that is at war with residents about things that we cherish and which matter to us. They ignore our true identity and try to replace honored symbols of community character with cheap and ugly substitutes. If this is what they have in mind for Streetscape, I am worried.
ReplyDelete6:27, you worry too much.
DeleteThe city of Encinitas is the laughing stock of SD county. None of the current nor future elected council people have a clue. It's time to clean house of politicians and upper management staff at city hall.
ReplyDeleteThe council and staff were elected and hired by the idiots of this city.. Of which there are plenty.
Too bad your story doesn't include the dead oleander bushes that are pushed as landscape......
Have you thought about moving?
DeleteOleander are now obsolete - they have a disease called "scorch" that is incurable. It is spread by sharpshooters (flying insect) and is here to stay. Don't use them for landscape, as they will eventually get the disease. Olive trees get it too - if your olive tree is looking shabby, it may have it too.
DeleteOleander is on the invasive species list as too too toxic. Olive trees were given a reprieve by the warden, the council, but likely too late if the flying insect will kill the tree instead of the city.
DeleteSpeaking of canopy . . .
ReplyDeleteThe best mature shade canopy in Encinitas is on Second St, between D and F. It would be so cool to close those two blocks to traffic and create a brick walking district. Leave the east-west cross streets open, just close two blocks of Second, install some planters, fountains, outdoor cafés.
It would be possible if they built extra underground public parking at PV.
Now this is a great idea. Too bad all idiots in this city won't/can't agree to back this plan for a better Encinitas.
DeleteI agree.
ReplyDeleteUsing some of PV for parking, above and underground, makes a lot of sense.
Underground parking at PV would cost as much as the purchase price of the property. Then the Coastal Commission would tell the city to bury it in 20 years.
DeleteThe Downtown Specific Plan says the ficus trees that make up most of the canopy on Second between D and F will be removed and replaced. This was discussed at a council meeting some time back. Somebody suggested removing and replacing them one at a time over a long period so the visual damage wouldn't be so noticeable.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should amend the DSP?
DeleteDo people really want to rip out these trees? Are they hurting anything? Santa Barbara has the same trees lining State St. (their main drag).
Part of our community problem is too many ex-county employees are being hired by Sacramento Gus Vina. They don't care about the environment. That ex-El Cajon planner Manjeet Ranu hired as a planner in Encinitas definitely loves concrete. He voted for the One Paseo mega development in Carmel Valley.
Delete4:12
DeleteBy "people," let's suppose you mean residents, more than half of whom are registered voters.
Since when does it matter what we want? The council goes by what the staff and the tax revenue-producing developers, commercial property owners and merchants want.
For the council to be responsive to "people," there has to be a court decision requiring that, a mandate from a higher authority like the Coastal Commission or state, or something close to a revolution, like the intense density bonus protest.
The coastal Commision is not a higher authority. They are evil people masquerading as doing the publics good. They are not. Worse still, tax dollars pay and fund them, how sickening.
DeleteIf the Coastal Commission makes a decision, the city has to follow it, not the other way around. That makes the CCC a higher authority. It's a state agency. Encinitas is a municipality. It's lower in the authority hierarchy.
DeleteA large part of a property's value accrues to a mature and stately landscape. To chop down 50 year old trees because they raise the concrete a bit is ludicrous. These trees add charm to the neighborhood and should be accommodated. The concrete mentality keeps them busy - turning Encinitas into a predesigned hamster box.
Delete9:02, Go down and check out the 100 year old ficus trees in Balboa park. Those trees on 2nd street will not only raise the concrete but the entire street and foundations of all the business.
Delete2nd street is 90% service oriented businesses with D thru F st supplying over 50 parking spaces (that are full most days). There is no 40% vacancy rate. There is a large clinic, Community Resourse Center, American Legion, 2nd Street Printing, Photography/Framing shop, Christian Science reading room,and architect, Dudek, Wealth Preservation (whatever that is), an insurance agency, Chiropractor, offices, attorneys, Encinitas Glass, Yoga classes, Graphic artist, Realtors and a few nondescript and uninviting places where God knows what goes on. If you're looking for a pleasant stroll, you don't do it by a smell good plumber's store. To block off D thru F to make it more "pedestrian friendly" is not a good idea. It would remove over 50 parking spaces, killing the service businesses that work well there. It would make a cozy venue for a few more bars though.
One tip: Don't plant a ficus near your home, condo, duplex or trailer. Friends don't let friends plant ficus in the wrong place.
Pacific View has seismic issues--as was disclosed by the School District to our council. Despite that, Shaffer stated that this was no secret. Is this really the best locations for undground parking--which is expensive even when it is not dug into a fragile bluff?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't all of California have "seismic issues"?
DeleteDon't all the condos on the bluff south of Lomas Santa Fe in Solana Beach have underground parking?
Several condos on the bluff in Encinitas have underground parking.
DeleteFour lots south of Beacon's (or "Beacon"), there is a new home being built right on the bluff top with a full basement 50 ft from the edge.
DeleteSurely if this was approved, putting an underground garage under the east half of PV is doable.
Big, deep hole in the ground less than 50 feet from the bluff edge between Phoebe and W. Jason. Two-story house with a luxury basement complete with elevator going in there. The place will sell for $10 million or more.
Delete5:15, making the PV purchase look like it was made at the 99 cent only store.
DeletePV is not on the bluff. The ocean is visible only from the northwest corner of the property.
DeleteBuild it and the tax base will grow.- that's the motto of the valid state workers association.
ReplyDeleteToo much hyperbole about the canopy in Leucadia. As we know, the Euc is non-native, and a lot of these trees are at the end of their lifespan. Add to that the fact that they've been cutting a lot of the old trees down over the last 20 years, and you don't have a story.
ReplyDeleteCalling this a war with the residents is a bogus statement. New trees have been planted, are being planted, will be planted. Has the city cut down some trees that didn't need to be removed, yes, could they have a better back and forth with residents on this issue, yes.
But the conspiracy theory on the city all being composed of tree haters is just silly.
Hey Prop A people,I hear a four unit three story condo project on Vulcan will now be a seven unit project ----- density bonus ------- Prop A says NO NO NO To three stories..I ask you is this better? An unintended consequence Or just stupid?
ReplyDelete4:21 PM
ReplyDeleteAddress and case number, please.
Arbutus grow up to 98' tall. What species did you have in mind? Redwoods?
ReplyDeleteTo see a current example of excavating near a bluff, check out the project just a few doors south of Beacon's on west side of Neptune and get back to us. Yes, underground parking for part of PV is ideal.
The ficus that were planted downtown in the 60's turned out to be "some of the widest trees on the planet" when mature, spreading up to 100 feet. BIG mistake to plant them next to a sidewalk and buildings. Gotta go. And if you want to see a bushier tree by Mozy's, try planting a traditional bluegum Eucalyptus. They stay thick at the bottom for over 5 years. You guys are a bunch of 1st world whiners. Go plant a tree you like and feel better about yourselves.
Arbutus is the genus. What's the species?
DeleteThe ficus trees on Second were planted in the '60s? I lived there in the early '70s. The ficus trees already had big trunks and full crowns then. Birds liked them. At roosting time about sunset, what sounded like hundreds and hundreds of birds put on a chirping symphony.
The address is the gray house at the corner of Jason and Vulcan...
DeleteHold your horses 4:21. 8:43 is right about the location. They're not 3 story but 2. And their 7 unit plan failed. Unintended exaggeration or just ornery?
Delete5:45, Yep, early 60's and by the 70's were pretty good size. They stay fairly small indoors in pots, but watchout when they're freed next to a sidewalk, house or business. They do make for a wonderful canopy and a lovely roost for a choir of birds as the foundations of everything below slowly and quietly bursts into pretty chunks of useless cement.
ReplyDeleteBS- The cement can always be replace. The trees are beautiful living trees.
ReplyDeleteYou should watch Avatar to get a better understanding of life.
Saw avatar. In 3D. A thinly veiled political statement from bleeding blue heart liberals inherently superior and in touch with their environment, to the callous rightwing whitey who can only interfere. Sappy and predictable. I gave it one star forCGI, and another star because Anthony Newly didn't sing.
DeleteMy neighbor has ficus trees about the exact same size as those on 2nd Street. Yes, they are beautiful. But their root systems are DESTRUCTIVE. Totally ravaged my neighbors' foundation and has jacked my sewer line. The sidewalks on 2nd Street are pushed up and hazardous and the adjacent structures are at risk. Any arborist know that ficus are a very bad choice for a location like that.
ReplyDeleteArborist -- Means tree surgeon. Nothing more. They know how to kill trees not save trees.
ReplyDeleteWe know which side you are on. tree killer.
10:06 Can you back up your statements? Mr. anonymous
Deleteyou are an ignoramous fool.
But I do agree in some ways. Not all "Arborists" know what they are doing.
The latest specimen to go on the hit list is directly behind Cafe Ipe. It is a healthy Monterey Cypress with no overhead lines even close to it.
ReplyDeleteIt looks to be just off the property owners lot line and on the public right of way on the sidewalk more or less. Tree city?????? What a farce.
If there is a reason this has to come down I don't see it. If anyone else does please post and let us know.
Better yet, contact this 'Tree City' ? representative John Ugrob at city hall and let him know you have concerns about why this has to come down and why now. If he hears from enough of us maybe it can earn a reprieve.
10:06 your bitterness is awesome! Blasting out with "Tree killer" because the prior poster mentioned well known problems with ficus trees? Damn.... You folks need to mellow out.
ReplyDeleteSave the ficus, replace the concrete. There is room to modify areas at base of ficus along second street, removing them would be another "hall of shame" move by the council. They have achieved enough damage, especially Barth.
ReplyDeleteYes, those are beautiful specimen. That spiritual church on the corner of 3rd and E St. pulled all their mature ficus trees a couple years back and the ambiance changed. The church didn't like the clean up required, so they slaughtered the trees. The trees' ghosts haunt the place now.
DeleteOh Please...fucking hippie. Ghosts.....???/
Delete12:14 PM Your "articulation" says it all.
Delete12:14 PM An ignorant droid - dead to the world, encased in his own concrete tomb of stupidity.
DeleteRemove Barth.
Delete4:24- at least I don't see ghosts......
DeleteNo 6th sense?
DeleteMy 6th sense says you're a hippie....
DeleteTREE COMPLAINERS - YOUR "BARK" IS BIGGER THAN YOUR BITE. ADOBT A TREE AND TIE YOURSELF TO IT!
ReplyDeleteBetter yet, live in it. Remember the dude that did that for a while. The City waited him out, but he had a small impact. You want to keep our trees, then let's mobilize and take shifts sitting in them. Maybe you can catch a few bees to give to Kranz. I hear he is low, although he does have platy of chickens in his yard, for what it's worth.
ReplyDeleteI went down Second this morning. The trees really are beautiful. I also noticed that the vacancy rate along those two blocks is terrible. Has to be close to 40% empty. A walking district there with some character could not hurt downtown.
ReplyDeleteThe E St. coffee joint was popular, but apparently run poorly. Bring in a Starbucks on Second St. - that'll draw them in. Move the Farmers Market to this location - might revitalize it.
DeleteWhat's to revitalize with booming (service style) businesses already in place? If you mean change the types of businesses there from services to shops and cafes to fit your patio idea and relocate the existing places, that sounds more like a Redevelopment District. Boo bad.
DeleteMade a left at Mozy Cafe today. The tree doesn't obscure vision of oncoming traffic, but the true flowering shrub half way down that median does.
ReplyDeleteI saw you make that left. You didn't signal.
Delete3:31, I didn't feel the need to signal since no one could see me for the shrub. I guess they could....
DeleteThe Monterey Cypress behind Cafe Ipe is scheduled to come down tomorrow! I have seen a copy of the tree company's assessor report and already have seen one of the reasons he used for its removal is false.
ReplyDeleteIt was claimed because of running sap that it was damaged and needed to come down. There is running sap in this hot weather all over the trunks and no visible points where damage was apparent. That discounts one of the assessors reasons for its removal. Could there be more?
Call John Ugrob at the city and ask to delay this removal for a week while a second opinion can be obtained by Mark W. This assessor is looking for a pay day for his company. Mark W is not.
Due diligence is called for and what will one more week mean to having an honest unbiased opinion from someone we can all trust.
Please let Ugrob know you want a little more time for this beautiful tree. The shapes of some of the limbs are so unique and this deserves a little extra consideration other than a company looking for a removal fee.
The Mitt Romney approach: Make all the trees the same height.
ReplyDeleteThe city's tree guy is John Ugrob and his number is 760 633-2854. His office is at the old Mossy Nissan property.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for volunteering Mark W for his opinion. I had thought he had been contacted about this before now and had been asked for his trusted assessment. That apparently is not true, so to Mark W, sorry for bringing your name into this. Your contributions in the past have impressed me so much that I thought of you first off and thought you were already on to saving this tree this time.
Anybody who can please, let Ugrob know you want a few more days for this cool tree to survive until we have a second trusted unbiased assessment and go have a look at this cool tree while you can. There are some of the coolest shaped limbs on this cypress so see them while you can.
The Knights who say Ni demand a sacrifise!...We want...a shrubbery!
ReplyDelete“First you must find... another shrubbery! Then, when you have found the shrubbery, you must place it here, beside this shrubbery, only slightly higher so you get ..."
Monty Python
... a two layer effect with a little path running down the middle. ("A path! A path!") Then, you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forrest... with... a herring!”
ReplyDeleteIt was very sad to see the Dragon tree get slain today. I looked at the cuts closely and did not see a whole lot of beatle rot in the trunk. The stump also looks pretty healthy too.