Did the Ravine Tree Removal Ruling Go Far Enough?

After learning that an administrative hearing had ruled that , many Patch readers are wondering if the ruling went far enough.

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

Shrago Design and Build owner Bob Shrago said he didn't realize he had violated city ordinance when , a landscaping term that refers to cutting the tops off of trees.

"We made a mistake," Shrago told Patch after last week's hearing. "I take ownership of the situation."

Instead of levying fines right away, told Shrago to work with O'Neill to come up with a plan for replacing the trees that they would present at a follow-up hearing on Sept. 6. Levenfeld indicated that the better the plan, the less severe the fines would be. 

Read more:

"This guy knows the ordinance, he has built homes in the ravines before," writes Patch reader . "He must think he is above the law, I hope they throw heavy fines at him!"

One reader thinks that Levenfeld should go even further, regardless of what the plan looks like on Sept. 6.

"He should be banned from working in the city," writes . "That is nothing short of blatant disregard for the city, its trees, and the environment."

Not all readers are eager to throw the book at Shrago. One reader thinks that basing the severity of the fine on the quality of the restoration plan makes the most sense.

"Replacing 100 full-grown trees and ravine restoration should be very expensive," writes . "I think it's fair to reduce the fine based on the quality of the restoration. Otherwise, by what method can the city compel them to do a high-quality restoration?"

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