Neighbors Fuming About Removal of Old Oak Tree

The lot at the corner of Virginia Avenue and Alt. 19. has got some people in Palm Harbor fuming once again.

Last June, 11 residents spoke at a Pinellas County Commission meeting about their concerns regarding a zoning proposal that would have allowed the construction of a Family Dollar Store at the location. The residents told commissioners they were worried about an increase in traffic and the trees that would be cut down if a retail store were to be built there.

Commissioners turned down the zoning request and residents were happy.

But now, many of the trees that were on the lot, including a large old oak tree, have been cut down. That has some residents angry, once again.

"I'm so pissed off about that," said Troy Allen, 48, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1999.

"All they had to do was clean up the tree," he said pointing across the street at  the old oak tree that workers had cut into pieces.

"I've sat under that tree many times. I love that tree," said Allen.

Palm Harbor resident Carol Hewitt spoke before commissioners when they were considering the zoning change back in June. Hewitt brought a photograph she took that showed the large oak tree that Allen liked to sit under.

"That was one of my arguments, was the importance of saving that tree," said Hewitt, who was upset to learn the tree had recently been cut down.

"It just makes me sick to my stomach," she said.

Hewitt thought that a parking lot could have been constructed around the tree, instead of it being cut down.

However, last spring it had been determined that the large oak would have to come down, regardless of whether the Family Dollar Store was built. Pete Pensa, who was with the engineering firm working on the Dollar Store project, said that an arborist had determined that the tree had been hit by lightning and it was rotting and splitting down the middle (see accompanying photo taken of the tree last June).

"It's a tough situation," said Pinella County Commissioner Susan Latvala Wednesday afternoon.

"Nobody likes to see a tree come down."

Latvala said that when trees are diseased they become a liability for the property owner.

Ralph Goddard, who purchased the property with his wife Melinda in December, said they did not have any other choice but to cut down the old oak tree. Goddard said some water oak trees on the property were also diseased and had to be cut down. Cherry laurel trees were also removed. Goddard said these trees are considered an invasive species in Florida.

Goddard said they got the proper permits to cut the trees down and talked to the county beforehand.

"I have no desire to take down trees that do not need to be taken down," he told Patch.

Goddard said the large, old oak tree posed a safety risk.

"It had been hit by lightning and it never healed. Over half the tree was hanging over the parking area. From an insurance standpoint, I could not leave the tree," he said.

"We didn't want somebody getting killed," said Melinda Goddard.

The Goddards have lived in Palm Harbor 12 years and their two children graduated from Palm Harbor University High. They're very fond of the Palm Harbor community and say they have been talking with neighbors about what will happen to the property. They have been giving away wood from the trees. Some wood went to a local artist and a nearby school also used some of the wood in its playground.

"We're just trying to do what's right," said Goddard, who plans to move his internet retail business "Silver Mine Gifts" into the building at the site.

"I'm trying to be a good neighbor. I don't know what to do. It's a no-win situation. If I could have kept the tree, I would have kept it," he said.

What do you think about the removal of the trees? Share your thoughts by commenting below!

 Related-

•  Family Dollar Store Zoning Denied
•  Neighbors Fight Proposed Family Dollar Store

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