![28 Year Old Business Harrassed For Cutting Cedar Trees On Private Property [wKvtOdhtbmw] cover](/mikehansonarchives/media/assets/8f0229068a002a93e590a8d39e82f715/images/artwork_large.webp)
Austin Business Owner Fined for Unauthorized Tree Removal
Rob Armand, owner of Capital City Auto Parts in South Austin, faces a $1,500 fine after cutting down over 100 protected cedar trees without a city permit. Armand claims the trees provided cover for homeless individuals who frequently burglarized his business over a 28-year period. City investigators discovered the clearing while responding to reports of auto fluids leaking into South Boggy Creek. Officials also cited violations regarding fencing and vehicles placed within the floodplain danger zone. The City of Austin investigation remains ongoing to determine if further legal action against the business is required.
austin· capital city auto parts· rob armand· south boggy creek· land development code
00:00 You can't cut down large trees in Austin without a permit, something is South Austin business found out the hard way. The owner now faces a fine and must remove the cut down trees from a nearby creek. KITVS Greg Watson is live where all of this started so Greg why were these trees cut down in the first place? The owner of Capital City Auto Parts tells me the homeless lived in those trees and they would break into his building after his workers went home for the night. Now he admits, he didn't know to get a permit but says he was just trying to protect what is his. If they try to break in here possibly we can get him on the video Rob Armand has owned Capitol City Auto Parts for 28 years
00:42 And for most of those years, he says he's taken on thieves who are taking his metal and his profits. Now it's getting to where if this continues I'm going to start letting some people go so to save his business, he cut down trees where he says thieves were making a home. Rob says he didn't know he had to get a city permit that cut down the trees on his own property. What I told instructed my employee was clear out all the cedar trees. I didn't have a clue that Cedars trees are protected and we have strict criteria follow no matter which excuses being used The city says a tip about auto fluids being released into nearby South Boggy Creek led investigators to the area. Investigators say that is when they noticed more than 100 trees have been cut down, a possible violation of Austin's land development code. The city says it also noticed fencing and cars along the South Boggy Creek floodplain. The more than 100 trees the city says were cut down or also placed too close to what investigators say is the danger zone in a heavy rain rob agreed to move the vehicles to keep fluids from leaking
01:39 But he is facing a fine of almost $1500 for cutting the trees down. Now, if you're having work done on your property, the city says to file a site plan that way you can keep up with the latest rules and ordinances now we've put a link to the city's website on our website. We are austin.com just look for my story and click on the big blue eye. That's her story live here in South Austin tonight Greg Watson KIA TV news Now the city did tell us this investigation is not yet over and a decision on whether to take more action against Capital City Auto Parts will be made later on.