Editor’s note: This story has been updated since our print edition appeared on Thursday, June 23.
Last week the Seal Beach city attorney sent a letter formally demanding $89,300 to cover the cost of replacing more than 150 trees that were removed without permission from Gum Grove Park in March. The total includes legal fees for the city as well as replacement of the trees. The trees were removed from behind a house at 1105 Crestview Ave. The letter was addressed to Rocky William Gentner, owner of the Crestview house, and Tom Curran of A Plus Tree Trimming in Garden Grove.
According to City Attorney Craig Steele’s letter, which was sent by certified mail, the city’s arborist determined that 153 trees were alive when they were removed. Steele’s letter demanded payment of $89,300 by July 1. According to the letter, the payment is not negotiable and the city will sue for three times that amount if the money is not paid.
“The canopy of the trees in that mature grove collectively measured approximately 1,800 square feet in size. Because of the unique nature of the trees and their maturity, the city requires full replacement of the entire mature canopy as soon as possible,” according to the Steele letter.
“Further, specifically directed to Mr. Gentner, with the cutting of the city’s trees it has also been revealed that you have trespassed on the city’s property at the rear of your home and installed landscaping and paving stones without permission from the city. All of those illegal encroachments must also be removed immediately,” according to Steele’s letter.
District Three Councilman Mike Varipapa, whose district includes Gum Grove Park, said the letter was a good first step. He also said he hoped the matter could be solved “expediciously.”
Some Seal Beach residents are unsatisfied with the city’s response.
“This selfish act of destruction has violated a very special place that belongs to all of us. Such violation deserves punishment,” according to Robert Goldberg, a citizen watchdog. “If someone throws a brick through a window, shouldn’t the penalty be more than just the cost of replacing the window?”
According to Goldberg, the city prosecutor should file misdemeanor charges in the matter.
The Sun has made multiple attempts to reach City Prosecutor Steve Rosenblit.
None of the calls have been returned.
As previously reported, City Attorney Steele has said the prosecutor can make an independent decision whether to file charges.
Barbara Wright, whose home backs up to Gum Grove Park, had a similar opinion of the city’s demand. “It seems like that $89,300 really was in adequate,” Wright said.
“It looked to me like he was going to extend his property,” she said.
According to Wright, about 10 or 15 years ago, the city checked property lines near Gum Grove Park and ordered the removal of encroachments on the park.
According to a March 19 Seal Beach Police report, Gentner spoke with police by phone and told police he had hired a service to remove 20 trees from behind his Crestview Avenue property. Gentner was in Hawaii at the time.
According to the police report, Gentner told the police that he believed the trees were dead, a fire hazard and provided a place for juveniles to commit crimes. According to the police report, Gentner said he had been asking the city to remove the trees for 15 years.
According to the police report, Gentner said that he believed the city did not care if he cut the trees down himself.
Police also spoke with Curran of Tom’s A Plus Tree Trimming. According to the police report, Curran said he had worked on several of Gentner’s properties and assumed the trees that were cut were on Gentner’s property.
Goldberg obtained Steele’s June 15 letter last week through a California Public Records Act request.
The police reports concerning the tree cutting investigation were attached to the letter. The Sun called Gentner and Curran multiple times. The calls were not returned.
