MOORPARK : City Halts Project After Trees Cut
Moorpark ordered a developer to halt construction on a carwash Thursday after contract workers illegally removed trees from the site, officials said.
A 25-inch silk oak and an 18-inch cedar were among the trees removed from the Park Lane property, said Pat Richards, director of community development for the city. A total of 24 trees, including several black acacias, were also chopped down and only 11 trees remain on the property, he said.
However, the property’s engineer maintains that only 17 trees stood on the three-quarter-acre lot and only three trees were removed due to an error on the plans.
City officials have not determined what action will be taken against Moorpark Car Care Inc. and engineer Liston & Associates, although it may include fines, a requirement that they replace the trees or a financial contribution to area parks, Richards said.
The city and developer meet today.
On Thursday morning, the city issued a stop-work permit to the Park Lane site, halting the installation of underground gasoline tanks.
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