Laguna Hills council directs staff to remove flammable junipers on Paseo de Valencia slope, fund replanting

The Laguna Hills City Council directed staff to proceed with removal of juniper shrubs on the south side of Paseo de Valencia between La Paz Road and Alicia Parkway and to implement replanting to reduce fire risk and avoid erosion.

Staff reported two vendor proposals for removal (approximately $37,000 and $47,002.50) and a replanting and irrigation repair proposal of roughly $64,000; the combined proposals reviewed by staff totaled about $101,000. Staff indicated $130,000 is available to roll over from the prior year’s landscape maintenance budget and could cover the project without a new appropriation.

Council members and staff cited Orange County Fire Authority guidance that lists juniper among undesirable vegetation near residential property and noted residents had submitted seven electronic comments in favor of removal. Council Member Hazel described junipers as highly flammable and urged removal; Mayor Pro Tem Kaskey and others supported pursuing community volunteer replanting (Rooted project) to reduce costs and increase engagement while cautioning that replacement planning must be coordinated so removal does not leave bare slopes at risk of erosion during the rainy season.

After discussion the council unanimously directed staff to make the project a priority, pursue contractors via competitive bid or use existing contractual extra‑work rates, explore volunteer replanting partnerships, and use the available $130,000 rollover to fund removal and replanting.