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Loma Linda council asks staff to attempt repairs aimed at saving oak tree after resident appeal
Summary
After a resident appealed to remove an oak tree that city staff deemed healthy, the City Council directed staff to open the sidewalk and investigate the water lateral with the intention of preserving the tree; the motion passed 4-1 and staff will report back if removal proves necessary.
The Loma Linda City Council voted 4-1 to direct city staff to work with the homeowner at 25624 State Street to investigate and attempt repairs to a leaking water lateral while seeking to preserve the mature oak tree in front of the property.
Christopher Judith Patel, the homeowner who appealed a prior staff decision, told the council the tree's roots have "broken the water main line to our house, risking contamination of our drinking water," and that the same root system lies on top of his natural gas lateral. "Preservation cannot come at the cost of a resident's health and safety," he said, asking the council to overturn staff and approve removal so he could make permanent repairs.
City staff and the city's arborist told the council the oak appears healthy and that prior council direction has favored preserving mature street trees. City Manager Jarb said staff has repeatedly visited the property, that the city has historically repaired sidewalks and relocated utilities in similar cases, and that the city is willing to work with the homeowner to determine whether the leak is on the city's side. "Let me work with my staff and try to do our best," Jarb said.
Council members pressed for technical clarity before any removal. Several asked staff to open the sidewalk and meter box to confirm whether the leak is behind the meter (the homeowner's responsibility) or in the lateral on the city's side. One council member summarized the consensus: if city crews determine the leak is on the city side or that preservation is feasible after targeted repairs, staff should proceed; if not, the council asked staff to return with findings and recommendations.
Neighbors also addressed the council. Nancy Wolf, who lives at 25623 State Street, said prior sidewalk lift and root problems had posed a tripping hazard and that the city had previously replaced sidewalk and driveways in the area to address similar damage.
Council members discussed costs and precedent. Transcript estimates referenced exploratory work quoted in the homeowner's packet (examples included about $5,000 to inspect and bids up to roughly $7,000 for limited work), and staff noted tree removal can cost on the order of $20,000. Staff said sidewalk and curb repairs have been funded in past years using CDBG and gas-tax (Measure I) money and that, if a lateral on the city side is implicated, the water fund can be used for repairs.
The council motion directed staff to open the meter/sidewalk area, investigate the leak location and root intrusion, and make repairs with the intention of saving the tree if feasible; staff must return to the council if they cannot preserve the tree. The motion passed by a reported vote of four ayes and one nay.
City staff said they will report back to the council with findings and recommendations at the next meeting or within a month, and that if investigations show the city tree caused damage the homeowner may file a claim for reimbursement per city procedures.
