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Agenda Item
4.1 26-0267 Subject: Violation Of The Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 12.36 (Protected Tree Ordinance) At Assessor Parcel Number 48H-7672-18
From: Oakland Public Works Department
Recommendation: Conduct A Public Hearing And Upon Conclusion Adopt A Resolution Finding Matthew Bernard And Lynn Warner, Owners Of Record Of Assessor Parcel Number 48H-7672-18, In Violation Of Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 12.36 (Protected Trees) By Illegally Removing Thirty-Eight Protected Trees At Said Parcel And Imposing A Penalty, Per Chapter 12.36.150 Of The Oakland Municipal Code, Of A Total Sum Of Nine Hundred And Fifteen Thousand, One Hundred And Thirty-Five Dollars, And Forty Cents ($915,135.40), To Place On Hold Any Building Permits, And Place A Lien For Said Property Until This Penalty Is Paid In Full
Hello, I am an Oakland resident, in District 3. Please hold this landowner accountable. I support the fine, but the landowner should also be required to restore what they have destroyed. We cannot set a precedent that our laws are a pay-to-break system for those who have enough money. If someone can simply pay the penalty and then proceed to build on land after removing protected trees, the protection those laws are meant to provide is effectively undermined. I am not anti-development, but we need to find ways to balance development without losing our irreplaceable native species and natural habitats.
Trees provide benefits beyond individual properties. When trees are lost, the entire community feels the impact, especially those most vulnerable to rising heat, pollution, wild fires, and landslides.
Not only do I support the fine levied here, I’d like to ask the council to consider preventing the owner from developing the land. Oaklands native habitats are disappearing and if developers see that they can cut down trees for a fine, then we will see even more trees being cut down. We already experience illegal tree removal and this will show that Oakland is tough on environmental policy to protect us and our children’s’ futures
Hello, I am an Oakland resident, in District 3. Please hold this landowner accountable. I support the fine, but the landowner should also be required to restore what they have destroyed. We cannot set a precedent that our laws are a pay-to-break system for those who have enough money. If someone can simply pay the penalty and then proceed to build on land after removing protected trees, the protection those laws are meant to provide is effectively undermined. I am not anti-development, but we need to find ways to balance development without losing our irreplaceable native species and natural habitats.
Trees provide benefits beyond individual properties. When trees are lost, the entire community feels the impact, especially those most vulnerable to rising heat, pollution, wild fires, and landslides.
I strong support holding the homeowners responsible for the destruction of so many native trees.
Not only do I support the fine levied here, I’d like to ask the council to consider preventing the owner from developing the land. Oaklands native habitats are disappearing and if developers see that they can cut down trees for a fine, then we will see even more trees being cut down. We already experience illegal tree removal and this will show that Oakland is tough on environmental policy to protect us and our children’s’ futures
I support these homeowners being held accountable for removing trees, They should pay the fine and replace the plants that they removed.