A contentious public hearing on September 16, 2025, highlighted ongoing disputes between the Broadmoor Community Association and residents of Calle Felicidad in San Clemente, California, over tree height violations. This meeting marked the latest chapter in a saga that began in November 2024, with residents alleging that the Broadmoor Association has failed to enforce its own Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) regarding tree heights, which should not exceed 17 to 20 feet.

During the meeting, city staff reported that the Broadmoor Association had received 11 complaints about overgrown trees, with some residents claiming that these trees obstruct views and pose fire hazards. Despite some compliance from property owners, many violations remain unaddressed, leading residents to call for city intervention. Charlene Marlowe, a resident and homeowner in the Broadmoor Association, urged the city to assume enforcement responsibilities, arguing that the association's selective enforcement has left homeowners vulnerable.

Public comments revealed deep frustration among residents, with many asserting that the Broadmoor Association's inaction undermines property values and safety. Matthew Marlowe echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the CC&Rs do not stipulate view blockage as a condition for enforcement, yet the association has used this as a rationale for inaction.

The city council is considering options for next steps, including the possibility of continuing the public hearing until January 20, 2026, to allow the Broadmoor Association more time to address the violations. However, residents expressed skepticism about the association's commitment to compliance, with some calling for immediate action from the city to uphold its own conditions of approval.

As the meeting concluded, the council faced a critical decision: whether to intervene directly in the enforcement of the CC&Rs or to allow the Broadmoor Association to continue its process, which many residents believe has been ineffective. The outcome of this dispute could set a significant precedent for homeowner associations and municipal governance in San Clemente.