Hedge Encroachment

The current HRPHA Building Guidelines read in part:

Hope Ranch Guideline Section 6.06: View Obstruction by Vegetation.

(a) When new planting or growth of existing vegetation, including trees, creates an unreasonable view obstruction, the affected owner may request that the owner of the property obstructing the view take remedial action to restore the view. Restorative action may include pruning or complete removal of the obstructing growth and replacement with vegetation that is less intrusive.

While the "affected owner" is generally understood to be one who has a residence in the vicinity of the view being obstructed, a valid question is: could any Hope Ranch owner who simply uses the Common Area adjacent to the obstructing vegetation be considered to be affected? If so, then there is a rapidly growing (pardon the pun) problem with tall hedges blocking many of the historical vistas in Hope Ranch Park. Some more striking examples of this can be found on Cantera, Cresta, and Corta where, during the last several years, many of the magnificent Pacific Ocean panoramas have been blocked from Common Area viewing. For example, here is the 10+ foot newer hedge that now blocks the once beautiful view along the entire length of the property at 4235 Cresta (currently undergoing renovation).

Below is the historical view.

Instead, this is the present view from the Common Area with an 8 foot pole for scale.

Continuing up Cresta we find this lovely Italian-style villa with a stunning view (owned by friends), but there is only a peek of the Pacific from the Common area. Again, with nearly a 12 foot hedge where a 6 footer would block any view of their home from the Common Area.

The 10-12 foot hedge now blocks what was once a stunning Pacific view from the Common area even though a 5-6 foot hedge would have screened the home.

Between these two properties is a fine example of good view practice and neighborliness with a newly planted hedge. It is the last remaining property on Cresta that has preserved the historical Hope Ranch Pacific panorama view from the Common Area. In other words,"Folks this is what it could (and used to) look like when walking or riding along Cresta when hedges were only to 5-6 feet high."

Here is the owners' new hedge that they have planned to limit to 5-6 feet. Note that the blue maker on the 8 foot pole is at 6 feet and that once the hedge fills in their home will not be visible from the Common Area, but the Pacific will be.

Near the crest of Cresta is another example that has retained the historic character of Hope Ranch Park's Common Area ocean views.

Again preserving wonderful views by keeping a low hedge.

Turning to Cantera we have a peek of the ocean as we begin at the western end.

Which could be improved by some minor pruning as we head east.

This unmaintained and unwatered growth continues across several lots and could rather easily trimmed to provide great views.

This shows the viewshed potential from the Common Area as the lower part gives way to higher diverse and unkept growth.

It continues unkept for about 100 yards, but could readily be pruned to provide wonderful ocean views. Until recently there was a line of Monterey Cypresses here that might have been planted by Harold Chase in an effort to screen the utility poles. 

But then abruptly bumps into a 10 foot monoculture hedge that was planted just a few years ago replacing historic cypress trees that allowed lovely ocean views.

The dense hedge now completely blocks any peek of the ocean as it continues beyond the entrance gate, climbing to 12 feet or more.

It continues where another Cypress tree was destroyed by the property owner with a view like this.

It continues where there is now a trash can area behind a screened gate. 

This is the view that just a few years ago was visible from the Common Area. 

Next coming to the intersection we turn up onto Corta passing by a 7 foot tangled hedge blocking the ocean view.

It continues to a screened gate.

View from over the gate.

We come to a driveway leading to a home with undoubtedly a spectacular view. We wonder why the owners needed a 15 foot hedge.  

If the hedge were 5 feet instead of 15 feet it would allow a terrific view from the Common Area while shielding all but the roof of the home. 

Turning around and returning to Cantera and walking down it very steep gradient we are rewarded with this striking view.

As we approach the Mariposa intersection our view is blocked by a recently planted 8 foot hedge no doubt destined to be 12 feet or more.

The very tall hedge on the left and the on the right side give Cantera a dark "hedgerow" look.

Rounding the corner onto Mariposa we find another 10+ foot hedge.

 But we soon emerge from this green tunnel to be welcomed by a traditional Ranch home that is not hidden from the Common Area.

And even better on the opposite side of Mariposa is a welcome scene of bright green open space bordered by roses instead of a hedge.  

Followed by more open space with the now rare, but once prevalent, cedar rail fence. Such scenes increasingly hard to find. 

Another different, but equally beautiful, bucolic non-hedge view can be found on Llano down from Mariposa in this park-like setting.

The owners have elected to share the view of their property as Harold Chase envisioned it when he coined the name "Hope Ranch Park." 

Summary

During our walk in one Hope Ranch neighborhood we observed a number of instances where lovely vistas that were once observable from Common Areas are now blocked by tall hedges. While it would be difficult to make the case that all Hope Ranch owners are the "affected" party for these situations we have to ask if some consideration shouldn't be given to preserving views for all owners to enjoy. Another question regarding tall hedges relates to their utility. That is, wouldn't it be less costly for our community to maintain hedges at 6-8 feet? That would reduce the amount of water and other resources that are consumed. This is not to be critical of hedges in general or using them for privacy screening, as indeed many of us do, but we must ask ourselves, for example, what if La Cumbre Country Club had established a 8-10 foot hedge adjacent to Las Palmas and Lago? How would we feel if we could no longer view Laguna Blanca with the Santa Ynez Mountains as a backdrop? Isn't the Club's policy an example of a best practice for hedge management?