SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The Planning Commission at Monday’s informal work session expressed to Shellbank Landing Condominium representatives that they were unhappy with a proposed remediation plan to replace trees that had wrongly fallen in July.

The city issued a stop-work order to Shellbank Development LLC  on July 24 after officials realized  the trees, that were listed to remain, had been cut down.

About 11 trees—nine Southern live oaks and two cypress—were cut down, building official Bruce Renkert has said.

Developers told city officials that in the two-year gap from when the site plan was approved there was a misunderstanding with what trees would be cut down,  Renkert has said.

Shellbank Landing representatives have  said the trees that were cut down were dead, or about to be.

Shellbank Landing is a new condominium development on Battleship Parkway at Morris Lane and will comprise 57 condo units overlooking the causeway, Renkert has said.

Developers have said they would replace the trees, but their remediation plan isn’t what the Planning Commission had in mind.

“I’m not happy with the sand oaks replacing the live oaks,” Planning Commissioner J.R. Smith said.  “We had 24-inch and 16-inch oak trees down there.”

Developers have said they would replace the Southern live oak trees that were cut down, which ranged from 12 to 24 inches chest-high diameter, with sand live oak trees that have a diameter of only 3 inches.

“We need some larger-diameter trees,” Smith said. “I want to see something come back with the live oaks and a larger diameter.”

Smith said he wants to see a new plan with larger caliper live oak trees.

Development representatives said the live oaks would live better in this environment, but Smith said he spoke with five landscaping companies and they said live oaks would have no problem living and thriving at Shellbank Landing.

Developer Ray Hix said he wants to create the best possible environment for the trees.

“We’re open to make this situation right,” Hix said.

About 168 diameter inches of trees were cut down, but Hix said once the trees are replaced the total diameter of trees will be about 255 inches.

Developers have said the sand live oaks wouldn’t grow as tall as the Southern live oaks, which allow for a better view of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.

There will be a new remediation plan by the next Planning Commission meeting, Hix said.

However, the city wants to be sure the trees will be replaced no matter the state of economy, in case the condo project is canceled.

“We want to see the project go forward,” Planning Commission Chairman Carl Nelson said.

To ensure the trees are replaced, the city has thought about a performance bond, a cash bond or letter of credit, City Attorney David Conner said.

 Conner said he will look into the three options.