A complaint by residents on tree clearing taking place at the Northside Shoppes development led to the developer being compelled to improve its “landscaping” in an effort to replace what was removed without authorization.
The total development area that received permit approval was 5.85 acres. However, another. 2 acres was cleared that should have remained untouched.
The Ghazvini Development owns the property located at Velda Dairy and Thomasville roads and was issued a “Voluntary Compliance Notice” on June 19.
John Reddick, who heads the city’s Growth Management Department, said the notice required the property owner to obtain the “appropriate environmental permit to authorize and mitigate the tree removal consistent with the requirements of the City’s Environmental Management Ordinance,” in an email to the Tallahassee Democrat.
“The property owner was given 30 days to come into compliance and did so by obtaining an Environmental Management Permit, demonstrating that all construction and landscape activity on the property is compliant with the standards of the Environmental Management Ordinance,” Reddick wrote.
When asked about the violation, if it was a mistake and what remedies they were pursuing, the developer behind the project, Justin Ghazvini, told the Democrat there are no current violations.
Justin Ghazvini is a partner at Premier Commercial Group and Sandco FL LLC, all companies with ties to the Ghazvini Development, which specializes in development services, home building and land development.
“I am not aware of any ongoing violations at Northside Shoppes. You may want to check if this is open with the city,” he said, adding he was copying two others within the company for details, including Steve Ghazvini, a well-known developer within the Ghazvini real estate empire.
Steve Ghazvini contacted a Democrat reporter admitted fault to the additional tree removal, adding the company “jumped the gun” in a what he described as a misunderstanding.
He said the Northside Shoppes development consists of Phase I and Phase II and the company wanted to clear necessary trees for both phases sooner rather than later. Ghazvini said he instructed his engineer to “talk to the city. We need to make sure we can get everything cleared.”
However, the site also had two diseased trees that were encroaching Thomasville Road that created “a dangerous situation.” Ghazvini said his team mistakenly thought the city provided approval for tree clearance related to Phase II but, in fact, had only received a green light to clear the diseased trees.
“Between me and my engineer, I thought they basically authorized for the other trees also,” he said. “It was not an under-handed thing.”
As part of the notice mitigation, the company will replant trees of varying heights that may include magnolias and other trees, to create an additional buffer between the site and nearby neighborhoods. He said: in “10 years, five years, there’s a good hedge out there.”
City official offers details on Voluntary Compliance Notice
In an interview with the Democrat last week, Reddick explained why the city got involved.
He said the property owners had an active permit to begin site work. While that was taking place, the city was notified by neighbors adjacent to the site who suspected more trees were being cleared than what should be allowed.
“We went out and visited the site and confirmed that to be true,” Reddick said. “They had some additional clearing south of where they were permitted to be doing.”
As a result, the developer was required to obtain a permit for what had been done and “improve the landscaping throughout the project as well,” said Reddick, adding “they’ve since done all of that. They are now in compliance.”
Background on what’s taking shape at the Northside Shoppes site
On both sides of the new constructed intersection at Velda Dairy and Thomasville roads, the busy thoroughfare looks nothing like it did just a few years ago.
The same developer backing the Northside Shoppes site, estimated at $3 million for the site preparation alone, has cleared land and built out parcels across the street. Those include a car wash, a Starbucks, a Trulieve store front and more. The Northside Shoppes development hasn’t been able to escape the sharp scrutiny for tree removal in the area, which has become a jarring site for passersby and homeowners who now have a view of Thomasville Road traffic.
The site is slated to be a commercial development with a mix of businesses. One of the confirmed businesses include a new 100,000 square-foot self-storage facility will be built on the land at the Northside Shoppes that was purchased by Doran Companies.
It’s one of Minnesota’s largest women-owned businesses, for $2.9 million, said Brad Parker, a partner and broker at TLG Real Estate, who partnered with Ghazvini Development on the sale, as previously reported.
Last month, the Democrat reported there are plans for a drive-through restaurant spanning about 1,000 square-foot and a 5,600 square foot tire and oil change auto service station, based on permit materials.
Share your story: If you live near the Northside Shoppes Development site and have been impacted by the tree clearing, contact tlwaters@tallahassee.com.
Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Northside Shoppes development hit with tree removal citation
Reporting by TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
