Coquitlam homeowner in dispute with school district over downed tree

A homeowner in Coquitlam says the local school district is denying any responsibility after trees on school district property fell and damaged his house.

Craig Zurba says it was a shock when a tree crashed into his home eight months ago.

“My girlfriend was sitting in a chair having her morning coffee,” he recalled. “She went for a refill. The tree fell right where she was sitting. Would have unquestionably killed her.”

Repairs to the home cost $63,000. While this was covered by Zurba’s insurance, the claim has already pushed up his premiums.

While this was bad enough, it happened again.

This time, his gutters were smashed, costing him another $600.

Because the trees are on the property of a nearby school, Zurba says the district should foot the bill.

But he says that the district told him that once it fell, it was no longer their tree.

“Possession had changed, and I said, ‘That doesn’t make sense, could you repeat that? Could you say that again?’ They said as soon as the tree falls and causes damage, it’s no longer their tree and it’s not their responsibility,” Zurba said.

“And I said, ‘Well, I think that’s kind of absurd,’ but that’s what they’re maintaining.”

He is concerned that one of the remaining trees is going to fall and do more damage to his home.

“The water has eroded all the soil under the tree. It’s very, very tall, thick, and it’s poised to fall,” Zurba said.

“If you look at which way it’s leaning currently, it’s poised to fall on my house.”

Because the remaining trees currently belong to the school district, there is nothing he can do to prevent them from falling on his property.

Zurba says he has received some support from a local politician; Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West sent a letter to the school district pleading Zurba’s case.

In response to the letter, Zurba shared with CityNews that school district officials have promised to follow up next week.

CityNews has reached out to school district officials for comment.