Oracle CEO Settles Suit Against Neighbors over Tree Dispute
Updated: Oracle CEO and billionaire Larry Ellison has settled a civil suit against his neighbors that had been scheduled for trial next week.
The dispute centered on the neighbors’ trees that have grown so tall that they are blocking Ellison’s views of San Francisco Bay, the Wall Street Journal reports. Ellison had claimed he would suffer “irreparable injury” from lower property values if his views were not restored.
Ellison’s views will be improving as a result of the settlement, the Wall Street Journal reports in a separate story. Under the deal, Bernard and Jane Von Bothmer will cut three redwoods and an acacia to open views for Ellison.
The Wall Street Journal says tree disputes are so common in San Francisco that the city has passed a “Tree Dispute Resolution Ordinance.” It requires the aggrieved party to seek initial reconciliation with the tree owner and to submit to arbitration before going to court.
Ellison had previously offered to pay his neighbors $15 million to buy their property in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, but the couple turned him down. For their part, the Von Bothmers said they caught workers on their property in 2006 preparing to trim their trees, and they believed Ellison was their employer. Ellison denied dispatching the workers to his neighbor’s property, and said there was no chance they would go there of their own accord.
Updated at 9:38 a.m. to include news of the settlement.
