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Neighbor asks Oak Ridge to enforce tree‑preservation rules after developer cleared Lot 16
Summary
Joanne Morris told the council that trees shown on earlier plans for the Ashford subdivision were removed near her property and asked the town to require the developer to replant trees to meet the town's tree‑preservation ordinance.
Joanne Morris, who said she lives at 6727 Brookbank Road and whose property borders the Ashford subdivision, told the Town of Oak Ridge council on Feb. 6 that trees designated in the project's 30‑foot tree‑preservation area were reduced to 20 feet on the plan for Lot 16 and that clearing activity removed trees up to the preserved boundary.
"The town of Oak Ridge has adopted a tree preservation ordinance, which calls for the replacement of any trees to comply with the tree coverage standards. And we are requesting that the town require the developer of Ashford Subdivision to replant the necessary trees in order to comply with that ordinance," Morris said during public comment.
Morris said the tree‑preservation line on Lot 16 was not marked during removal and the tree‑company operator said he was unaware of any restricted area; she credited her husband with stopping additional cutting by pointing out the protection line.
Town staff direction: Mayor and council directed Morris to speak with Sean Taylor, the town planning director, who the mayor identified at the meeting and who the mayor said would investigate whether the town could take action.
Why it matters: Morris told the council that the tree‑preservation standard had been reduced on the plan only for Lot 16 and that the subdivision subsequently sold that lot to a builder who arranged tree removal. The complaint asks the town to enforce its ordinance by requiring replanting to meet tree coverage standards.
What the council did: Council asked the resident to work with Planning Director Sean Taylor and for staff to investigate whether the town can require replanting or otherwise enforce the ordinance. The meeting record shows no formal vote on enforcement at the Feb. 6 meeting.
Ending: Morris offered a sample landscape plan intended to be acceptable to the builder and neighboring homeowners; the mayor and council asked staff to follow up with the resident and developer.
