TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Company Won't Replace Trees

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHELE SAGER

msager@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

WESTCHASE - Community leaders for Westchase weren't happy to learn that a group of damaged trees along Linebaugh Avenue may not get replaced.

Westchase Community District supervisors learned from their attorney that the company managing Westchase Town Center will not replace trees damaged by incorrect pruning. Real Property Specialists told Hillsborough County it would rather pay a $12,000 fine.

The company had the choice under county rules between the fine and working with Westchase. Property manager Rachel Slater told supervisors in November that all of the damaged trees, which include oaks and pines, would be replaced.

Slater said not all of the trees are completely damaged and will come back. She recommended those trees stay in place. She said replacement trees wouldn't be as mature and would take decades to reach that size.

She promised regardless of whether sick trees stayed or not, the same number of replacement trees will be planted somewhere on the property. But now the company doesn't believe it can meet the community's timeline and wants to pay the fine instead, said CDD attorney Erin McCormick Larrinaga.

If the company opts to pay the fine, the community is guaranteed it will receive that money back from the county. Also, replacing 22 trees will likely cost more than the fine, said property manager Doug Mays.

All the supervisors but Greg Chesney voted to send a letter letting the county and company know they aren't happy with that solution and further legal action may be taken against the company by the CDD to recover damages.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-1523.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT