Tens of thousands of dollars hang in the balance over a potential code violation in Anna Maria.
A case involving the alleged removal of six grand trees at 610 N. Bay Blvd. was continued for a second time during a Feb. 17 special magistrate hearing.
City staff members claim six grand trees were removed from the property last fall.
City code defines grand trees as those with 8-inch diameters at 4.5 feet above ground level — excluding ficus and Australian pine trees — and prohibits their removal without city commission approval.
The city is seeking the same fines against each of the three alleged violators involved in the case, including $5,000 for each of the removed trees and a $100 administrative fee.
That would result in $30,100 in fines per violator and $90,300 overall.
The alleged violators claim that the removed trees either did not qualify as grand trees or were cleared for removal under state law due to an arborist’s assessment of unacceptable risk.
The case was presented to special magistrate Gerald Buhr, an attorney out of Lakewood Ranch, on Jan. 20, but he postponed a ruling in lieu of the arborist who assessed the trees.
It was continued again during the Feb. 17 hearing, sending the case to the city’s next special magistrate hearing at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
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