Salem has issued a fine of more than $138,000 for the removal of more than 100 trees in the city.
According to the city, 48 of those trees were Oregon white oaks, which are protected, The Statesman Journal reported. The fine was issued to the property owners, property manager and a local tree service connected to the vacant property.
The owners also will be required to plant new trees that are equal in value to the trees removed.
City ordinances require city approval before removing some trees on private property, depending on the number, size and type of tree.
Officials told the Statesman Journal in December a permit application for the tree removal was neither submitted nor approved by Salem’s planning department.
Following public concern over the tree removal and questions from the Statesman Journal, staff in December began investigating.
Marion County property records list three individuals as owners. They appear to have owned the land for decades through a trust and are based out of Washington state. It wasn't clear if they plan to pay the fine or appeal.
They own several parcels of land in the area and the land where the trees were felled is zoned for commercial retail use after being rezoned from residential agricultural and developing residential in 2016.
No applications for development have been submitted to the city in recent years.