Stop the Tree Destruction

4/21/2026 OUTCOME: The Lodi Township Zoning Board of Appeals voted to allow the variance and permit Travis Pointe to remove 244 trees, AND they required a reduced number of replacement trees (103 instead of 742).  These 103 must be planted within 3 years anywhere on the parcels that were a part of the submission.

Based on the 244 trees Travis Pointe was requesting to remove, due to size and age there is specific math and the Zoning Ordinance requires 742 replacement trees.  The planner gave a report showing options for reducing the number required based on "undesirable" species and health ratings.  The ZBA decided to allow the variance and remove the "Undesirable species" and those with a health rating of 1 or 2.

However, the interpretation of the ordinance misses some key factors. For example, just because a tree removed is of an "undesirable" species doesn't mean one shouldn't replace it --  simply replace it with a tree of a desirable species.  There are other concerns about what is considered "undesirable" and other facets of the ZO wording as well and Lodi Twp needs to work on this.

But for now, at least Lodi Township finally held the line to defend our laws, while offering some relief to the applicant that the ZO permitted.  It seemed to be a balanced outcome.

Photos below of at least 8 large, mature trees removed at Travis Pointe near the UUAA border.

More Photos HERE

And now, Travis Pointe has submitted to request a deviation of local ordinance to allow the destruction of 244 more trees with no plans for replacement or relocation.

Zoning Board of Appeals

When: April 21, 2026 @ 7:00pm

Where:  3755 Pleasant Lake Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

AGENDA
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION 

• April | Agenda | Meeting Packet | TPCC Maps | <----SEE PACKET

• There are 18 pages of maps showing trees - some already destroyed, here's one example:

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1. Come speak up at the Board of Appeals meeting: 4/21 7pm Lodi Township Hall, 3755 Pleasant lake Rd.

2. Write the Board of Appeals members and the Board of Trustees members.