Board to contact HOA after large trees removed on Deep Creek; ordinance penalties noted

Board members discussed recent unauthorized removals of several large trees on Deep Creek within Hunting Hills condominium association land and agreed to establish facts before recommending enforcement.

Chair (unnamed) reported he had seen photos and confirmed “there are big stumps left there” and that the work occurred without prior city notice. The chair said the board needs to determine whether those trees are classified as street trees under the city ordinance before pursuing penalties. "The ordinance says we can charge from 75 to 750 per tree," the chair said, quoting the penalty range in the municipal code as discussed during the meeting.

Members agreed the first step is direct communication with the HOA leadership to learn the background and any planned remediation; the board identified the HOA manager in the record as Belinda Smith and asked staff to obtain contact information and pull plats to verify right-of-way lines.

Board members emphasized the Forestation Board’s role is to recommend action to the city; enforcement and any penalty assessments would be handled by the city. The board said it preferred an initial conciliatory approach to learn the circumstances and then decide whether to recommend penalties or remedial plantings.

Next steps recorded: staff to contact the Hunting Hills HOA manager (Belinda Smith) for details, pull the plat to determine whether trees were within public right-of-way, and then return with a recommendation. No enforcement action was taken at Wednesday’s meeting.