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<\/p>\n(KRON) \u2014 An Oakland couple was slapped with nearly $1 million in fines from the city for chopping down three dozen trees on and near their private residential property on Claremont Avenue.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the city council voted in favor of fining the property owners, Matthew Bernard and Lynn Warner, $915,000. Most of the trees cut down were oaks that are protected under the city\u2019s tree ordinance, city leaders said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Oakland City Council voted to\u00a0hold accountable a District 4 property owner who illegally cut down over three dozen trees. By a 5-3 vote, a majority of City Council voted to support a motion originally made by Councilmember Janani Ramachandran to impose a record fine,\u201d Ramachandran\u2019s office wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are named \u2018Oakland\u2019 for a reason,\u201d Ramachandran said at the meeting. \u201c\u200aWe have less than 4,500 oak trees in this city right now, because of the destruction and development over the decades.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite warnings from city employees, the duo removed 38 trees from their property in 2021 and 2022 without obtaining city permits, according to the councilmember\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
According to city records, on February 2, 2021, city workers responded to a report of illegal tree removals in progress on a vacant lot adjacent to 7401 Claremont Avenue. The workers saw eight mature trees that were either recently removed or were in the process of being removed. They also observed Bernard cutting trees with a chainsaw, records show.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe property owner, Mathew Bernard, replied to Tree Services staff by forcefully and abruptly telling staff, in sum, that this is his property, he will not engage in dialogue with or respect the authority or jurisdiction of Tree Services staff. Mr. Bernard refused to stop the tree removal work,\u201d records state.<\/p>\n
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One of the chopped down trees is seen. (Photo via City of Oakland)<\/p>\n
Several more illegal tree removal incidents on the property followed, records show.<\/p>\n
Ramachandran said Tuesday, \u201cWe are sending a clear message that Oakland is serious about enforcement and will hold accountable those who flagrantly disregard our laws and trash our land.\u201d<\/p>\n
The councilmember described the Claremont Avenue incident as \u201cthe most egregious tree removal violation case in the city\u2019s history.\u201d<\/p>\n
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