Politics & Government

City Tree Crushes Gazebo, Spa: Will They Pay?

An oak tree maintained by the city crushed her spa and gazebo. Will her insurance company collect the $17,000 they think is due?

Will the city cough up $17,000 to replace a resident's gazebo and spa Monday night?

When a large oak tree the city maintains fell on a Barcelona tract home, it caused lots of damage, said resident Lisa Bracken.

"My husband was in the backyard when he heard a cracking noise and noticed the tree appeared to be leaning towards our home," she said. "My husband immediately called the city and as he was on the phone the tree snapped and landed on top of our backyard destroying the gazebo covering the spa."

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The oak also damaged their wall, fence, furniture and some plants. Bracken said their house was spared because the gazebo stood in the way.

The impact also damaged the block wall, destroyed the wrought iron fencing and some outdoor furniture and plants. See photos of the damage attached to this story.

Find out what's happening in Mission Viejowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

City staff is recommending that the council reject the damage claim filed by Bracken's insurance company.

It took a crew of about 10 workers a day and a half to clear the debris, Bracken said. She said the city also cut down a neighboring tree that threatened a neighbor's bedroom.

The Brackens have lived in the home for over 25 years, and cite the large oaks as one of the main reasons they purchased the home.

"These were beautiful, very old huge oak trees and we are very sad they are no longer there," she said.


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