Tree Concern Archived

336 Kent Way American Canyon, California Show on Map Hide Map
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Reporter

(Guest)

Issue ID:

1995036

Submitted To:

American Canyon, CA

Category:

Tree Concern

Viewed:

679 times

Neighborhood:

American Canyon

Reported:

on

Description

My name is Denise McCann Azevedo. I've been a resident of American Canyon for over 30 years. In fact, I watched the house my family now owns, being built in the early nineties. There were only 5 houses on Northampton, (off of Elliott Dr.),
at that time. The city later planted trees along the easments, & one of the two trees, that is directly next to the courtyard in our front yard is causing numerous safely issues and problems.
I've made several calls to various city departments, incuding the "Street Dept.". The person who answered the phone was very rude and sarcastic, I couldn't believe his nasty attitude, (especially in light of the seriousness of issues involved). The tree had many low-growing branches, and young children in the area started climbing the tree every day. The most urgent issue at the time was when there would be a child in the tree, other kids would be on the ground, throwing rocks at them. The man I spoke to was very cavilier about it, so I asked him, "who will the child who falls parents sue, after a child falls & is injured (or worse)"? He laughed, and said, "well I guess that depends on where they land". I didnt see the humor in his reply. In addition, the roots from the tree grew so big that the sidewalk cracked, and had a big "V" shaped, rough-edged piece sticking up from it, in addition to the tree conpletely obliterating the corner streetlight, (which ironically, is a "handicapped" acess curb). Again I was rudely blown off by the person I spoke with at the city, about the dangers posed. This issue has gone unresolved for years already, and with daylight saving time ending on Nov.1, everyone who works grom 9-5 in this court will have to try to navigate to their way to mailbox in the dark again. The major probem I'd anticipated finally happened. I didn't see it myself, but was told about the incident by a neighbor who did. An elderly man in a wheelchair had used the designated handicapped curb, and was going down the street, when his wheelchair hit the raised "V" jutting up out of the sidewalk. He fell into the street, and was injured badly enough that he had to be transported by ambulance, to the hospital for treatment. Apparently he didn't sue the city, (yet), since nothing has changed. It would be much safer, if before it starts getting dark bery early, if the streetlight was at least visible. Another issue that has become a bone of contention is the fact that the tree is also infected with some nasty illness, causing blight and sooty mildew, which continually drops leaves into our courtyard, & front yard, as well as infecting our trees, shrubs, & plants. The moldy, sooty scum that drops all over our front yard, and tiled area of the courtyard area causes it to become extremely slippery, especially when it's wet. It seens like it's just a matter of time before someone falls, and is injured. The courtyard is already covered with the yearly, blackish, slippery moldy substance, which is very time and energy consuming to remove, and involves a lot of unnecessary water usage. I've asked the city to, (at the very least), prune the tree way back, although the only permanent, feasible solution would be to remove the tree entirely, only to be told that "the tree is your responsibility", (even though it's not even on my property, but I'm not allowed to remove it, but we did prune off the liwer branches, rmto keep kids from climbing it), despite the years of safety issues, problems, mess, disease, & the nasty, moldy mess, that covers the patio & front courtyard area, an issue that's continually caused many problems, & ill will. I actually watched this & the surrounding houses being constructed, I know that the tree(s) weren't here when the house was built.
To add insult to injury, awhile back, I was parking in a court a few blocks over, when I saw a "City of American Canyon" work crew, removing a number of trees, in the easement area, between a home & the walking trail. I saw the homeowner leaving, so I asked her, "why is the city removing those trees"? She replied, "I called once, to complain about all the leaves that fall into my yard, and said that I'm tired of cleaning them up, so they offered to remove them"!
It's hard to believe that the city is more concerned about a homeowners excess leaf problems, than the potential physical dangers involved with the problems I've pointed out, and asked them to fix.
*I also happen to have been legally declared "permanently medically disabled", due to a near-fatal car accident, almost 20 years ago, which has prompted several people who are aware of the numerous safety issues regarding the sick/dangerous trees, broken sidewalk, undetectable street light, & other related issues, to urge me to contact a "Disability Rights" attorney. I'm not a "litigious" person, all I've asked is that the "City" take care of the obvious safety problems that are ongoing issues. The unnecessarily rude, sarcastic, and dismissive responses I've received, the few times I've politely contacted the "City of American Canyon", have me ready to possibly rethink this issue. I really hope we can come to a safe, satisfactory solution, to what should be a "non-issue". I hadn't planned on texting you this letter via cell phone tonight, but I'd be happy to provide you with photo documents, showing the problems.
Thanks for your concern.
Denise McCann Azevedo,
336 Kent Way, American Canyon, Ca. 94503.
Cell or Text: (707)-290-2523


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