La Quinta woman claims backyard vandalized by neighboring housing development

A La Quinta woman is seeking answers after a neighboring housing development allegedly cut down several of her ficus trees without giving her notice.

News Channel 3 spoke to Nancy Dunn and is receiving answers from the Vista Dunes Courtyard Homes.

Nancy Dunn says she left her home for three short hours in December, when she arrived she says she saw the following.

"They had taken the chainsaw and just basically hacked off all the branches and limbs," says Dunn.

Over a dozen of Dunn's ficus trees were trimmed by the neighboring housing development without any notice.

"The housing development was opened up and occupied about 15 years ago, and during those 15 years, I never once got a notice, knock on the door, phone call," says Dunn.

We reached out to the Vista Dunes Courtyard Homes and they told us in a statement that they had given Dunn proper notice.

They shared the following statement.

In regards to Nancy Dunn’s statement, National Community Renaissance of California is the property manager for the affordable housing community that is adjacent to Ms. Dunn’s property.  Her trees had grown over onto the community’s property line and wall sufficient so as to damage a retaining wall and rooftop solar panels on the community’s property.  After several attempts to reach out to Mrs. Dunn, we took appropriate actions to ensure the viability of the solar panels and the integrity of the structures on the community’s property. 

Jill Van Balen, National Community Renaissance

Dunn insists she didn't hear from the property manager.

"They couldn't make an agreement with me because I didn't know about the problem," says Dunn.

The latest email exchange between Dunn and the property manager took place on January 17.

The National Community Renaissance said they were discussing the situation and needed Dunn's correct mailing address to send her a response. Dunn has not heard from the group since providing her mailing address.

"I would like them to respond to me I have sent numerous emails, I've called them many times, left voicemails, and they basically have not taken any responsibility at all," adds Dunn.

She also hopes they'll compensate her for the loss of the trees, which she says can cost up to $10,000.

California law allows property owners to trim limbs or roots that cross over a property line.

We reached out to attorney, Robert A. Bonito who says an incident like this one could be considered trespassing because they trimmed sections of branches beyond their property and a homeowner could be entitled to recourse.

The property management company, National Community Renaissance of California said they'd try to provide a record of the notice.

We have not received it yet.