The Simi Valley City Council took an opportunity recently to review how the city's tree removal and relocation ordinance is applied to new development.

While the municipal code mandates the preservation of certain protected trees—including all historic and mature trees, particularly native oaks—by private developers, it does not restrict or prevent the removal of trees associated with public improvements projects.

The law, which has been in place for more than 30 years, establishes guidelines aimed at preserving as many trees as possible, and city staff often works with developers to find ways of saving the most desirable and healthy trees.

Peter Lyons, director of environmental services, said the high cost of relocating a large oak often encourages developers to work around the tree rather than cutting it down and moving it.

"The value of that lost tree is a great big motivation to preserve it—if they can," Lyons said.

The law is different, however, when it comes to public works projects.

The municipal code exempts contractors from preserving or protecting mature trees and from compensating for the value of a tree that it has removed to facilitate public improvements.

Councilmember Barbra Williamson said she would like to see the city, including public works, make a more concerted effort to save mature trees.

"We all respect and we all love oak trees. But it seems to me when you're doing a project, if a tree is in the way, the tree goes," Williamson said. "There doesn't seem to be any attempt to work around the tree."

Currently, there are two roadway-widening projects on W. Los Angeles Avenue that will require the removal of four mature oak trees and one sycamore tree from the public right of way.

Local tree advocate Judy Dwyer, who used to serve on the city's Tree Advisory Board, said she was surprised to hear that four oak trees will be lost due to the road-widening project.

"I don't see why the city doesn't have the same law hanging over their heads as the developers do," Dwyer said.

"As a citizen, I don't want to see them cut down, and I'm sure, knowing the city, they will do their very best to avoid cutting them down," she added.

Councilmember Glen Becerra said that, when feasible, the city should consider the option of rerouting a road to save a tree.

He recalled the extension of Yosemite Avenue in the mid'90s, when a developer constructed the roadway around a very old oak tree instead of going right through it, as initially planned.

"You drive around that unbelievably beautiful oak tree that's in full glory, and it was a huge save for this community," Becerra said.

Councilmember Steve Sojka said he was happy with the current ordinance for tree removal and relocation, saying the city's balanced approach is necessary.

"You don't want to deem a property undevelopable because it has a tree in the middle of its lot," Sojka said.

The council said planning staff should remain vigilant in the protection of the community's mature trees.

According to staff reports, since 2000 the city has issued more than 90 permits allowing for the removal of more than 1,780 protected trees, including 46 oak trees. Another 130 oak trees were relocated.

In every case where trees were removed to accommodate onsite design features, replacement trees were provided, a staff report said.