A resident who identified himself as a licensed engineer urged Yorba Linda officials on Aug. 5 to require removal or trimming of overgrown trees on a slope near 17412 Chicago Avenue, arguing the vegetation creates a fuel line near older homes.

Why it matters: the speaker said the area was identified by CAL FIRE as a high fire hazard area in 2011 and cited Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) guidelines and California Civic Code sections as a basis for action; city staff said the slope has been investigated repeatedly and is not currently a legal hazard.

Peter Meng, who described himself as a licensed professional engineer and broker, said the slope area is “about 30 by 55 foot, about 1,500 square feet” and contains several overgrown trees — pine, pepper and sycamore — within about 100 feet of homes and as close as 10 feet to a structure. He referred to CAL FIRE’s 2011 designation and OCFA guidance on defensible space and asked the city to require property owners to address hazardous trees under California Civic Code sections 833 and 834 (as cited in the transcript).

Meng asked the city to assess and replace hazardous pines and pepper trees “within allowable time period of 15 days to enhance public safety” and requested neutral oversight and outreach to the owner. He said a 2008 Freeway Complex fire affected neighboring pre‑1980 homes and the current summer conditions increased his concern.

City Manager Mark Malone acknowledged receipt of the concerns and said city staff have investigated the slope “numerous times over the years” and have not concluded it is a fire hazard or illegal at this time. Malone invited the speaker to provide any new information for staff review.

What’s next: the city said it will accept any new information from residents and that staff will continue to investigate under applicable county and state fire‑safety guidance.