Editor:
In White Rock, we all sit in our houses looking south toward the ocean and the sun. The city limits the heights of houses to 25 feet so we can all share that incoming sun and the ocean view like patrons sitting in a theatre watching the show. Our land values, tax base, and enjoyment of our home sites all depend on this.
However, in dealing with trees, we forget this theory. The tree bylaws we have do not address the issue.
There should be no trees over 25 feet high – same as the buildings – both on public and private property. There are many beautiful species of trees genetically programmed to that height or less. Trimming is also possible for trees that push the limit.
Unless this limit is imposed, the limit on house height is not of much assistance. It is too easy for a homeowner viewing out the front of his or her home to enjoy the sun and/or ocean to plant tall trees in the backyard and deprive their uphill neighbour of the same view and sunlight with no recourse.
The city is already in the view-protection business and rightly so.
Until it takes control of the trees, the effort is half-hearted and will continue to foster conflict between neighbours.
Richard E. Rhodes, White Rock