I am writing to express my exasperation with trying to have rules in Mission Beach carried out evenly and fairly to all homeowners in the neighborhood. Our representative to the California Coastal Commission’s office advised me that homeowners were required to trim all foliage on private property back to their legal property lines. The California Coastal Commission required that my plantings and fencing not be higher than three feet tall so I wouldn’t block my neighbor’s views. I have an issue with a tree on my neighbor’s property that has been left untrimmed for the last six years that is dangling over my property. Although the fire department has deemed it a fire hazard, and the commissioner’s office has said it should be trimmed, nothing has been done to satisfy these concerns and laws. I am well aware that new requirements are established for new construction. Having completed construction on my home in December 2010, I had to adhere to specific building codes. Some of them were to make sure I did not block my neighbors’ sun, view and enjoyment of the beach area. If that was a requirement for me, why shouldn’t it hold true for older homes that have trees or shrubbery blocking the view and sun of others at the beach? If there are rules and regulations as to when you can walk dogs without leashes and pick up after them in order for people to get enjoyment out of the beach, why shouldn’t a homeowner be required to keep the beach in front of their home free of debris from the trees that cover the sand in sap, pine needles and pine cones? If rules are to be made to increase land values, as well as residential enjoyment of the areas, then I think they should be applied to all residents equally.





