Forty trees cut without permission in Penn Valley over the weekend.

Click here to listen to Brian Foss

According to Nevada County Planning Director, Brian Foss, the trees were cleared by a company hired by Gateway Center in Penn Valley property owner Ethan Conrad. Foss says that Ethan Conrad knew that the trees were not to be cut.

Foss says ongoing communication with representatives of Ethan Conrad reinforced the position that the trees could not be removed. The county reached out to Ethan Conrad after a tree cutting company contacted the County saying they had been contracted to remove the trees.

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Ethan Conrad sent a representative to meet with county officials.

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At this point, Foss says that the county is investigating its options.

Click here to listen to Brian Foss

The Planning Director believes that the trees were cleared for visibility purposes, but says there were acceptable alternatives to tree removal such as trimming and thinning branches.