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Council leaves $6,600 reforestation fine intact for Homewood Drive homeowners
Summary
At its April 13 meeting the Anchorage City Council declined to reduce a $6,600 reforestation fine assessed to Vic and Nicole Topper for failing to plant required replacement trees after 2023 permits; the city forester cited removal of mature specimen trees and inconsistent replacements.
Anchorage City Council members on April 13 declined to reduce a $6,600 reforestation fine assessed to Vic and Nicole Topper for their property at 2106 Homewood Drive.
City Administrative Officer Reneé Major summarized that the Toppers had building permits in 2023 that included two forestry permits signed by Vic Topper. The permits required replacement of 34 trees within one year and specified minimum sizes; the city determined replacements were not planted as required. The city assessed a fine of $200 per tree for 33 trees (originally $6,800 with a $200 credit for one recently planted tree, leaving $6,600). Major said certified and hand‑delivered notices were issued to the homeowners.
The Toppers told the council they had planned to plant replacement trees in summer 2025 but delayed after their landscaper advised against planting because they would be out of town and new trees require regular watering. The Anchorage Forester, Jason Coomer, reviewed the permits and the property and recommended assessment of the $6,600 fine, noting that mature specimen trees originally designed by the Olmsted Firm circa 1900 were removed and replaced with low‑cost Green Giant arborvitae that “barely meet the minimum standard,” which he said is inconsistent with the spirit of the city’s reforestation requirements.
Councilmember Hunter Wilson moved to reduce the fine by half, but no councilmember seconded the motion. Councilmember Diane Cook emphasized the delay exceeded the one‑year replacement requirement stated twice on the permits and said the onus is on the homeowner to meet permit conditions. With no second and no further motions, the fine as mailed by the city remains $6,600.
Cooperative follow‑up and enforcement adjustments were discussed. Forester Coomer said he will draft a follow‑up letter to be sent to residents nine months after a tree removal permit is issued, and Forestry Board Chairperson Jan Ruzich suggested making the one‑year replanting requirement more prominent on permits. The council did not take further action at the meeting.
The fine is recorded as assessed; the city will pursue its standard enforcement process unless the Toppers take corrective planting action or otherwise resolve the matter with staff.
