Former Seattle Mariners first baseman and current Clyde Hill resident John Olerud wants that community’s Board of Adjustment to order Bruce and Linda Baker, his neighbors, to chop down a 50-foot Chinese pine tree on their property that, according to Olerud and his wife, Kelly, blocks their view of the Seattle skyline.
Olerud, who attended Washington State University, spent the majority of major league career with Toronto (won the 1993 American League batting title) and spent 2000-04 with the Mariners, and his wife have been asking the Bakers for more than two years to get rid of the tree. The Bakers have consistently refused.
In a Seattle Times story Monday, the Oleruds say that tree “unreasonably obstructs” the view from their $4 million property, which faces Lake Washington, Seattle and the Olympic Mountains, and that property values in the neighborhood are closely associated with views.
The Oleruds built their 6,680-square foot home in 2008-09. The pine was there years before the Oleruds began construction.
Olerud has offered to purchase a replacement tree for the Bakers, one that wouldn’t block his view, but the Bakers say the tree is an important part of their home and has been valued by an arborist at $18,000.
Olerud must demonstrate to Clyde Hill’s Board of Adjustment that the pine not only blocks his view, but decreases his enjoyment of his property. He must also show that removing the tree wouldn’t decrease Baker’s enjoyment of his property.
The Board of Adjustment will make a decision on whether the tree goes or stays in November if the Oleruds and Bakers can’t come to an agreement before then — unlikely since the families have been haggling over the tree for two years.
The Oleruds and Bakers obviously need to some help resolving the issue, which is where you come in.
[polldaddy poll=6525436]
8 Comments
Memo to John: In case you didn’t know, many of the middle American working folks that bought tickets to go see you play baseball over the years have been losing their homes and jobs thanks to a recession you might not be aware of. Don’t expect much sympathy on this one.
Your neighbor’s acting on principle…maybe you ought to follow his lead.
Memo to John: In case you didn’t know, many of the middle American working folks that bought tickets to go see you play baseball over the years have been losing their homes and jobs thanks to a recession you might not be aware of. Don’t expect much sympathy on this one.
Your neighbor’s acting on principle…maybe you ought to follow his lead.
Why should Olerud’s neighbor be forced to cut down a tree just so he and his wife have a better view? If I’m going to spend $4 million for a house, I’m making damned sure I get the view I want before signing the closing papers.
Even better–guess where Olerud and his wife lived for 8 months while their house was a-building? Yup. With the neighbor who owns the Chinese Pine.
Why should Olerud’s neighbor be forced to cut down a tree just so he and his wife have a better view? If I’m going to spend $4 million for a house, I’m making damned sure I get the view I want before signing the closing papers.
Even better–guess where Olerud and his wife lived for 8 months while their house was a-building? Yup. With the neighbor who owns the Chinese Pine.
Ya, I think the poll is barking up the right tree. And bring in Barry Ackerley as a mediator.
Ya, I think the poll is barking up the right tree. And bring in Barry Ackerley as a mediator.