City May Force Resident to Replace Lopped Trees

A Highland Park resident faces some pricey penalties at an administrative hearing on Thursday for lopping the tops off of trees in order to clear a view of the lake.

Want Highland Park news in your inbox every morning? Subscribe to Patch's newsletter.

The resident, who will be identified during Thursday's administrative hearing, held at 1:30 p.m. at , had the trees in back of her property by the Park Avenue Beach lopped.

"It looks like a giant lawn mower went in," said Highland Park City Manager Dave Knapp. 

According to the city's code, it's unlawful to "remove or perform any act that results in the death, loss in value, loss in aesthetic value or substantial destruction of any tree… in the Steep Slope Zone… without first obtaining a Tree Removal Permit issued by the City Forester."

Knapp believes that the resident will likely be required to replace the trees. He said the administrative hearing officer could fine the resident as well.

"I suspect the penalty to be you could plant trees of a comparable size," Knapp said. 

has spoken out against the tree lopping.

"The trees in HP are an important part of what makes this community a tree city USA," Rotering told CBS. "It's part of why people come to this area, for the beauty."

Knapp suspects the resident cleared the trees to get a better view of the lake, something he says has happened before.

"It happens from time to time," Knapp said. "Right on the edge of the lake there's a real temptation to get them out so you can get the view."

For more news and updates, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.