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Board denies developer request to remove 114 trees on Salquist property before escrow closes
Summary
Hex LLC asked to remove 114 trees before Feb. 1 migratory-bird protections begin; after legal review and board concern about liability, trust, and local tree code the board voted to deny the request (Motion 55).
Superintendent Tracy Klinger told the board Hex LLC, the purchaser of the Salquist property, requested access before close of escrow to remove 114 trees because the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections begin Feb. 1. Klinger said the city had approved the development removal pending their review, but she consulted legal counsel about liability concerns.
Board members said they were uncomfortable approving access given recent controversy around the site and the district’s limited benefit in granting the request. “They don’t want to degrade any more trust,” the minutes report, and the board voted to deny Hex LLC’s request (Motion 55) on a 4-0 vote with two absent members.
Staff noted no other procedural impediments to closing were identified but recommended denial based on counsel advice and lack of district benefit; the decision means tree removal must await normal permitting and escrow.
