Rich people problems

An appraiser hired by John and Kelly Olerud said their $4 million home would be worth $255,000 more if the rare Chinese pine and the Colorado spruce across the street were cut down and replaced with smaller plants. The Chinese pine's value is estimated at more than $18,000.

Sounds like a private right of eminent domain. I hope the tax assessor took note of the increased value.

So a rich guy got the government to destroy someone else's property because he felt entitled to something.

So, a guy goes and starts a legal battle with his neighbor to deprive his neighbor of part of his property because he wanted to be able to see through where a neighbor's tree was located? I think there's a name for that type of person. Well, actually maybe a few. Let's see...asshole? Dick? Jackass? Self-important bastard? Oh, wait, that last one was more than one word.

Wow. John Olerud is a total douche. Can I go back and unroot for him?

$5 says a HOA would have ordered it cut down long ago.

Jesus. What a prick.

So you bought the house knowing the trees were there, knowing the view you'd have.  And you have enough money to shop around for a house with a better view if so inclined.  THEN you go to the HOA to get the trees removed?
 
Prick.
 
Unless there's more to it.

No, a HOA is never a good thing. Well I'm sure they can be but all the ones I've come across are assholes.

/no, my grass being half an inch too long does not affect your precious property values

My dad tried to get one of those about 20 years ago, but the guy had way more money to fight it. So, one winter, dad and a neighbor just cut them down. :)

Winning!

/Yes, we're a family of felons.

They did make Olerud pay for the removal. I probably would have taken that deal in negotiations.

I will cut down any tree in my yard for $18,000

They're going to kill a tree so that their property's value increases and they can see Seattle. That's pretty unfair. Why doesn't he just buy another place with a clearer view of the skyline?

I have 14 pine trees lining my property, I am glad my neighbors are not that rich.

The only good HOA is that thing Lou Bega yells during "Mambo No. 5."

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that thing was there when he bought the place.

All these people have a much better life than I do if they can spend so much energy on this...

Aarontology: So a rich guy got the government to destroy someone else's property because he felt entitled to something.

Hey we're all just trying to move Forward like Barry would want us.

smitty04: I have 14 pine trees lining my property, I am glad my neighbors are not that rich.

if i had rich neighbors who tried that, they'd find everytime they pushed on it, parts of their property would burst into flames. if they're going to make my property look like crap, i'm going to return the favor

The Olerud guy sounds like a prize coont. Is there a US equivalent of a tree preservation order or something? It certainly looks like the tree was there first.

Internet tough guy: I'd burn the assholes house down.

Trees were there when he moved in. It's not like they grew up over night.

I'd take an appeal to the town council, and then to the courts if necessary. Hard to believe a guy who lives across the street from a $4 million home can't afford that.

I don't know, my HOA is dragging its damn feet over a neighbor who has covered all the windows on the front of his property with plywood on the inside, it wouldn't be bad if he would just paint it white or black but leaving it unfinished looks very ghetto fabulous.

/The rules state "All window treatments facing the street must be white or black facing the windows."

What an asshole. He's rich so he gets whatever his whiny biatch ass wants?

Also:

Karac: I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that thing was there when he bought the place.

It's like people who buy property near airports then complain about the noise.

Spiralmonkey: The Olerud guy sounds like a prize coont. Is there a US equivalent of a tree preservation order or something? It certainly looks like the tree was there first.

They said the tree was worth at least 18k too. That stupid tree is worth almost as much as I make in a year. If the jerk insists on it being cut down he sold have to reimburse them for the cost of the tree, a suitable replacement, and the labor involved with it, if he is so desperate for a nice view. Or he shold buy the house across the street, or one with a better view. I would also sue the appraiser for putting the idea in his head.

Satanic_Hamster: Internet tough guy: I'd burn the assholes house down.

thats taking it a bit far, but torching (or cutting down if you live in a fire prone area unlike seattle) a big rose bush, or a decorative tree? that seems like the right way to get the message across

The tree is at least fifty years old. It is not the HOA that is trying to force this. It is the City of Clyde Hill. If the property value is increased by $255,000 just for improving the view - the tree owner should demand no less than half up front for removing the tree.

/Wait until tax reassessment comes.. that $255k in additional value will mean a higher property tax bill by >$6,000.

I'm pretty sure the trees can be safely moved to some "other" part of the peoples property? If not, it could still be moved somewhere else. It's still a dick move. $4 million home and your gonna quibble over $225,000? These people really need something to do to occupy their time.

Never suspected Olerud would be a grade a douche bag.

If I was the Baker's I'd hire Clark Griswald to decorate my house for Xmas

Tom_Slick: /The rules state "All window treatments facing the street must be white or black facing the windows."

Are you saying that putting up forest green or maroon curtains is against the rules?

Also, realize that the Bakers allowed the Oleruds to live in their home with them a year while the Oleruds' house was being built. Seems to be that the Oleruds are being the ultra duchey selfish neighbor.

Another vote for "John Olerud is a shiathead". And we already know about Alomar. Hopefully Devon White and Joe Carter are ok guys.

Why are not the tree grandfather in and thus exempt from removal because they predate the 1991 ordinance.

I'll go with "he's a douche nozzle".

it would be a shame if his house burned down.

And someone needs to egg Clyde City Hall about 7,000 times

MrBentor: Also, realize that the Bakers allowed the Oleruds to live in their home with them a year while the Oleruds' house was being built. Seems to be that the Oleruds are being the ultra duchey selfish neighbor. 

GAT_00: $5 says a HOA would have ordered it cut down long ago.

Or the HOA would have just removed the trees on their own while the owners were away and then send them a bill.

airplane_mech2: I'm pretty sure the trees can be safely moved to some "other" part of the peoples property? If not, it could still be moved somewhere else. It's still a dick move. $4 million home and your gonna quibble over $225,000? These people really need something to do to occupy their time.

Trees that old, that big? No. Probably not. Its root systems is likely too extensive to move it without killing it.

Wow, what a dick.

In other news, the neighbors had decided their attic need better ventilation.

He may have won this battle but I have a feeling that the war is FAR FAR from over. Except the first flaming bag of shiat on your door way when the clock strikes one!

Is there a US equivalent of a tree preservation order or something?

In my state trees along the edge of a road are semi-protected, so-called "shade trees." You need a permit from the town tree warden to cut one down. Trees within property lines are fair game unless they are near wetlands.

There was a roadside tree in the path of development. Developer applied for a removal permit for a healthy 130 year old tree. Tree warden said NFW, build around it. Time passed. Work started in the area. Developer applied again for a removal permit for a 131 year old tree that had been battered by construction equipment and appeared unlikely to survive. Tree warden approved the permit.

John Olerud is an asshole.

Per the article the tree was not something new added after the asshole bought the property, so this is exactly like the assholes who buy a house near a school/train track/highway/airport/daycare and then sue because of the noise.

I wish I was a theist so I would at least have the satisfaction to believe that the asshole would one day be judged for his bad behaviour but I can only hope he get google bombed instead.

What a farking douche

offacue: Are you saying that putting up forest green or maroon curtains is against the rules?

Yup they would have to have a white liner.

Farkin bs. You're not entitled to an amazing view from your home. Nor are you entitled to the maximum possible value your property could possibly be worth if only your neighbors would rearrange their property for you. Well...I guess it was determined that the guy is in fact entitled to these things. Shouldn't be though. I hope his house burns down.

We ( neighbors and I ) routinely cut down trees on the unmaintained city property each year--- same reason. These are 'wild' trees the grow like weeds.

i hope his house gets caught up in a mudslide and then he can learn what happens when you clear the land in the name of scenery.

Meh. I had DirecTV until the trees south of my house grew too tall. I never considered suing my neighbor because of it, I just switched to cable.