It is more than just trees, it's about peoples lives.
A former Board member and business owner in Ocean Park needed a retreat where they could get a break from their busy life. That description fits many of our members. We will call this member "Don". He is a multi generation native of this area. He not only supports funds to community projects, but also a considerable amount of physical labor for worthy causes. He likes to recount his canoe adventures as a growing young man, in the Surfside area before it was a Surfside.
As a young family with his wife and son, they found a perfect spot for their retreat. They purchased three wooded lots along the canal in Surfside. Over the years the three lots became a mini forest retreat with a mixture of Pine, Fir and Hemlock trees. They spent many memorable hours by the bank with a camp fire building lasting memories.
Because of septic regulations, the three lots were not buildable . But, they did provide exactly what they wanted. A retreat close to home. While most of us only pay dues and assessments for one lot, they paid for three.. For them, it was worth the cost.
The relaxing retreat became a nightmare with numerous tree height complaints year after year. These complaints originated from the chief tree complaint member. We will call him "James". James seemed to take pride in his public self admitted complaint against this property.. After years of "topping" the trees, the labor and health of the trees resulted in the removal of all trees from the property.
I visited the lots when the clearing work started. It really was a beautiful retreat that was well groomed. Anyone would appreciate the wooded privacy on the bank of the canal. The neighbors were distress because the trees provided a wind break in their wooded setting. One, a well known artist, sold her property and moved. An RV lot across the canal also sold out.
Do you see how in just this one instance. tree topping covenants affected lives? I am sure there are many other similar stories. This is the biggest shame of Surfside.
Click on the pictures for a larger view:
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| The J Place complaint writer. Notice the "pole barn" below the house. This picture from tree removed lot |
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| It's compliant now |
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| There once was trees and shaded mowed green grass here. |
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| Artist home at the end of what once was a forested tree retreat. |
7 comments:
That's messed up. Let's dissolve this ridiculous association, and get on with better lives.
Where do I sign to get out of this mess. This is absolutely ridiculous. A sorry sad state of affairs.
I had a lot on the canal close to this property. I got a letter generated by you know who and cut the trees at a cost of 2300 dollars. I then got a letter from the office that the trees were not cut low enough. I drove from Portland to measure the trees again and took pictures and advised the office that yes they did comply. Never got a sorry from the office but who would expect that. I wish all the karma that clown deserves and by the way how did he get away with different siding on his pole barn. I hear all the time you knew the rules when you bought except if your on the board. I have a property close to me that his pole barn was denied metal siding because it did not match his house which was cedar shingles. He had to comply at great expense.
George, your pictures are merely “the tip of the iceberg”. There are more than a dozen lots that have been denuded because of “James” and Ms. Olds. Many of them just cut the trees and have let them lie where they fell. 7:52 the question is not only thsiding but other folks are Clancy was on the Board and the Treasurer at the tiniest, does that tell you how he got it approved? Nobody else here has had a “service building” approved. Why him?
Because he is so special. Just look at all the good he has done to surfside. And, he is going to do a lot more to us.
Given the appearance of some of the lots around George's neighborhood I don't understand his obsession with the pole building.
Georges neighborhood is an old one, not a new board approved "service building" what exactly does it serve?
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