Editor,
As a professional landscape architect, Ann Christoph, the designer of the slope
surrounding the high school baseball field, knew the eucalyptus and California
oaks were a sensitive subject. On Fridays, prior to Tuesday’s school board
meeting, the agenda for the upcoming meeting is posted on their website.
Instead of feeling hurt that she was not notified of the meeting when the trees
were to be discussed as an agenda item, she should have kept herself abreast of
the school board agendas. Once again, the school board has placed the trees
back on the agenda for the June 9 meeting, up for yet another vote to
appease Ms. Christoph.
The school board voted on May 12 to remove the
eucalyptus by a 3-1 vote and voted 2-2 on removal of the California oaks with a
member absent.
Several years ago when the California and Mexican fan palms were planted along
Park Avenue, she wrote to this publication to complain that someday those palms
would grow to block residents’ views up the hill. This is the same landscape
architect who designed and had planted 28 fire-prone eucalyptus with 10 that
grow to be 70 to 90 feet.
As a former mayor, city council member and design review board member, Ms. Christoph should have done the opposite and designed no eucalyptus or California oaks, and protect the community from fire and respect our newly passed view ordinance. In addition, she planted 10 California oaks that can grow to 70 feet and are protected by the state and cannot be pruned.
Once again, we urge community members to attend the June 9 meeting at 6 p.m. at the school district headquarters across from the high school and let your voice be heard.
Stephen and Jamie Crawford, Laguna Beach
The authors live near the high school.