The Fayette Citizen-News Page
Wednesday, May 5, 1999
Tyrone tackles Wieland over trees

By JOHN THOMPSON
Staff Writer

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The Town of Tyrone takes its trees seriously.

After the town learned recently that one of developer John Wieland's workers had cut down a 100-year-old hardwood in the Estates subdivision, the town slapped a stop-work order on all development in the subdivision.

"They have really done a nice job of landscaping out there. I don't know why they did it," said town manager Barry Amos.

After hearing about the tree cutting, Amos hurried out to the site and expressed his dissatisfaction with project manager Bob Stewart.

In addition to the century old tree, the crew also cut down two other trees with an approximate 36-inch circumference. Amos doesn't think the cuttings were an accident.

"Someone made a conscious effort to cut those trees instead of saving them," he said.

Spokesmen for John Wieland Homes could not be reached for comment.

The next day, Amos was told by a resident that the crew had come in during the night and removed all evidence, including the stumps, that the trees were ever there.

After getting in touch with Wieland officials, Amos said a mitigation process would have to be established.

"Obviously, you can't replace a 100-year old tree. But we may require even more extensive landscaping throughout the subdivision," Amos said.

Monday, Amos said he had lifted the stop-work order after the company had installed tree-safe fencing around the other large hardwoods on the more than 100-acre site.

He also expected a mitigation proposal to be on his desk by late Monday or early Tuesday morning.

Amos emphasized the town is committed to keeping the area green and will not hesitate to issue stop-work orders if developers attempt to get around the town's tree ordinance.


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