I suppose when you own as many homes as Donald Trump you are bound to have a few neighbors who wish you weren’t part of the hood. Such is the case in California where the real estate mogul has once again upset his just-as-wealthy neighbors.
According to news reports, this time the problem has to do with ficus trees. (Oh, to be so rich and problem free that trees are enough to set you off.) The Donald reportedly planted hundreds of the trees without the city’s permission to screen the nearby driving range from the multimillion-dollar mansions that border his golf course. The move infuriated homeowners who decided complaining to Trump was a waste of time and went straight to city leaders instead. In true Trump fashion the billionaire downplayed the controversy.
“It was done for two purposes: beautification and safety,” he said of the trees. (About 45 of them are 12 feet tall and another 300 are about 6 feet high.) “They’re bushes – they look beautiful and everybody loves them. We have not had one complaint,” Trump told reporters.
The “Apprentice” boss also noted that the trees were planted for the Michael Douglas & Friends celebrity golf tournament. The charity event was televised and according to Trump, provided a green backdrop for television cameras. That, of course, is of little consolation to homeowners whose ocean views were obstructed by the trees. A group of disgruntled neighbors noted that Trump’s trees are in violation of landscape rules– specifically the one that requires city approval for all trees and other vegetation. (Trees taller than 16 feet or those that block views aren’t allowed.)
In the days since the complaints reached a fever pitch, the Trump Organization reportedly applied (belatedly) for revisions to its landscape permit so the trees could stay. The organization also added it was “willing to remove or trim any trees harming anyone’s view.”
Sounds like an easy solution. However, the ire over the illegal tree planting is rooted much deeper than meets the eye. According to Trump’s neighbors, Rosie O’Donnell’s nemesis has a reputation for breaking the law. First he erected an unauthorized 70-foot flagpole at his Trump National Golf Club then he built a tee 8 feet higher than allowed. Not to mention the “mysterious” and illegal freeway sign pointing to the ocean bluff golf course.
As for the ficuses, the mayor told reporters that in order for Trump to keep his oversized flag flying he’d better get the tree situation settled or else the flag and the trees would get the boot. Sounds as though neighbors wouldn’t mind if Trump went with them.
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