Trees cleared to chase out the homeless

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A South Austin salvage yard is under investigation for cutting down more than 100 trees as a way to discourage the homeless from camping there, city of Austin officials say.

Austin Watershed Protection officials said some of the trees are more than 19 inches in diameter and are lining the sides of South Boggy Creek, creating a major flood hazard.

City code compliance officers found the trees after they received a tip about an illegal fence and an oil spill near the creek.

"Trees do receive protection in the City of Austin," said City of Austin arborist Michael Embisi. "And we carefully dictate what can happen to trees, when a tree is allowed to be removed."

Rob Ormand, owner of Capitol City Auto Parts said he asked his cousin to cut and pile the trees on the shores of South Boggy Creek to rid a crime problem.

"What I said to myself was, 'I want to take their cover away,'" Ormand said.

The 30-year owner of the property said he lost more than $10,000 in 2009 from homeless "transients" stealing catalytic converters, batteries, and other parts from his salvage yard.

"I didn't wake up one day and go, 'Oh, I think I'm going to cut down all these trees,'" Ormand said. "It's because of these years of theft."

Watershed protection inspectors combed the salvage yard Friday looking for clues as to exactly how many trees came down.

Workers estimate more than 100 trees were removed from a 10-acre swath of land, City of Austin Arborist Micheal Embisi said.

Embisi said property owners must have a permit to clear trees on their own property.

The salvage yard received a citation for working without a site plan, Embisi said.

He also said a stop work order was also issued to stop the salvage yard from cutting down any more trees.

The city will now work with Ormand to come up with a plan of restitution.  Ormand could face financial penalties and be required to pay to clean and clear the property, since it sits in a flood plain as well

Ormand was also required to move vehicles away from the creek so no fluids would leak into the flood plain, Watershed Protection Department officials said.