Residents say developer removed trees on private property; city staff say developer in violation, amended plan expected

Residents living near the 7200 France Avenue redevelopment told the Edina City Council on March 4 that trees intended to screen adjacent private property were removed and asked the city to require immediate remedies and penalties.

The complaint, raised during the meeting’s community comment period by Sandy Carlson, said trees on and adjoining the 7200 France property had been removed, that some private-property trees were taken, and that neighbors had repeatedly asked for screening (Sandy Carlson, resident). “Some trees on private property were taken. And that should just never never occur,” Carlson said.

City staff confirmed the developer removed trees the site plan required be preserved. “We verified staff, verified with their landscaper that they did in fact take out trees along the lot line on the 7200, France property in addition to trees on the adjacent private properties. So that puts them in violation of the approved site plan for phase 1,” Director Carrie Teague said. Teague said the developer and landscape architect promised a revised landscape plan by the end of the next day and that staff planned to meet with affected neighbors and the city forester to develop a remediation strategy.

City Manager Andrew Neal said staff intend to bring the matter, including any required CIPA (conservation/park/agreement) and final site-plan documents, to the March 18 council agenda for review and possible action. Neal said staff are already working with neighbors and the developer: “We intend to meet with some of those neighbors, share the plan, work with the forester, maybe make some revisions to that plan,” he said.

Several council members pressed staff for stronger remedies than replanting. Councilmember Pierce said she did not believe replanting alone would be adequate and asked staff to ensure replacement trees provide immediate screening and long-term survival. Neal said the city has “a fair amount of latitude to make people who harm other private property owners get them whole” and that staff are discussing what additional penalties or conditions are available under the city’s authorities.

Teague and Neal said the timeline is driven in part by the 7200 site’s remaining final site-plan approvals for phase 1; the city will consider the revised landscape plan and final documents at the March 18 council meeting.

Ending: Staff said they expect to receive the developer’s revised landscape plan by the end of the day following the meeting, will meet with neighbors and the forester, and will place the item on the March 18 agenda for council review. The council indicated it expects a robust discussion at that meeting.