The unpermitted removal of trees within the city of Langley continues to be an issue, as is evidenced by the recent slashing of 10 trees on one property.

At a meeting Monday, some bad news spurred council members to resume earlier discussions about how to improve code enforcement related to tree removal, which includes the possibility of stronger penalties.

Meredith Penny, Langley’s director of community planning, explained that about 10 trees in the Brookhaven community had been cut down without permits since the May 16 meeting, at which the problem was a topic of conversation. To complicate matters, the senior low-income housing is located on federally owned property, meaning city regulations may not apply. Penny said she is awaiting a response about the issue from the city’s lawyer. As of Thursday, she was still waiting for answers.

Current code allows the city to issue an after-the-fact permit for trees cut down without proper paperwork and charge double fees, which amounts to $100 a day. Several council members have argued that this is not enough.

On Monday, city council members continued to lament the loss of two large trees that were on city property but were cut down by a nearby property owner, who was granted an after-the-fact permit before officials realized the location of the trees.

Councilmember Rhonda Salerno said the trees, which were on Furman Avenue, measured close to three feet wide.

“They were huge carbon sequesters and they belonged to the city,” she said.

Mayor Scott Chaplin said the trees were worth close to $10,000 each. Although city code can require a replacement ratio, he said it was “a little bit ridiculous” to replace a 20-ton tree with two 5-pound trees.

“I think we won’t be just issuing permits after the fact when people should know better,” he said. “I think we’ll be taking other courses of legal action when appropriate.”

When asked by a Record reporter if the city was planning to take legal action in the case of the two Furman trees, Chaplin said they are looking at different options.

Council members shared their dislike of after-the-fact permitting and again voiced a desire for tougher consequences.

The council directed Penny to update the city’s fee schedule regarding the topic. As she pointed out, other municipalities have adopted codes that include fines that can reach up to a maximum of $30,000 for unpermitted tree removal.