Video: WTSP
” City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said Miller & Sons LLC illegally cut down 28 protected trees in 2019.
Tampa’s mayor is sending a strong message to anyone cutting down trees illegally in the city.
Her message comes after a Tampa Bay area tree cutting firm was given the largest fine in the city’s history.
Miller & Sons Tree Service was fined $234,427.50 for violating state law. Mayor Jane Castor says in 2019, Miller & Sons cut down protected trees along Gandy Boulevard and on Schiller Street without a permit.
City arborists determined the trees were healthy, however, owner Jonathan Lee deemed the trees dangerous.
In 2019, the state changed the law saying local governments had no say over dangerous trees on residential properties.
The city argued both properties were not residential. A circuit court judge ruled at least one location was zoned for commercial use, the Gandy property.
The city filed an ethics complaint and last month, the International Society of Arboriculture issued a public reprimand against Lee.
‘They found that his behavior was unethical and illegal in this instance,’ Castor said. ‘They were found in violation…'”
— Niko Clemmons, WTSP