New Tree Ordinance Passed in PG - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. -- A new tree ordinance was passed by the Pacific Grove City Council, replacing an older ordinance with harsher consequences.

On Wednesday, council members voted 4-2 to change an ordinance that required homeowners who took a tree off their property to plan 2 new trees in exchange, plus face criminal charges. That ordinance was passed several years ago.

Since it's such a controversial issue in Pacific Grove, it took a whole year and a half to pass a new tree rule. Now if homeowners plan to take down a tree, they will only get a $100 fee for the first offense. City council members say some private property owners may also be required to plant one new tree on their property to replace the one they take down. Some homeowners may be exempt from the rule depending on the size of their property and if they already have several trees on their land.

City council members say the new rule puts more emphasis for people to plant trees, and gives homeowners more freedom on what they can do on their property.