Illegal tree removal on Santa Barbara’s Riviera brings criminal charges
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - If there is one thing many people in Santa Barbara can agree on, it is a love for the trees in the community.
Eugenia Trees still standing on Paterna Rd. (Beth Farnsworth/KEYT)
One homeowner is finding out the hard way.
The City Attorney’s Office has filed a misdemeanor complaint against James Allen Carr and Enrique Calles Vasquez for their alleged role in a tree removal incident on the 1700 block of Paterna Rd. on the Riviera. The tree-lined street is less than a half mile from the historic Belmond El Encanto hotel.
Three trees were cut down in the parkway in front of the house, on city property
A homeowner on Santa Barbara’s Riviera hired a crew to cut down four trees without a city permit on Saturday, sparking a backlash in the neighborhood and furor among city officials. (Contributed photo) By Joshua Molina, Noozhawk Staff Writer | @JECMolina
December 23, 2020
| 12:58 p.m.
In a swift and bold response, the Santa Barbara City Attorney s Office said Wednesday that it would be pursuing criminal and civil cases against a Riviera neighborhood homeowner who chopped down four trees without a permit.
As first reported in Noozhawk on Monday, James Carr hired a Los Angeles company to cut down three Eugenia trees on city property in the parkway in front of his house. He also cut a fourth tree on his property, within the front yard setback.