The Edina City Council on Tuesday tabled a resolution for a France Avenue development project after trees were improperly removed from the construction site, prompting the developer to propose an enhanced landscaping plan.

Ted Carlson of Orion Investments apologized to the council and neighboring residents for the removal of trees at 7200 France Avenue that were supposed to be preserved under the approved site plan. The trees along the western property line were intended to provide screening for adjacent residential homes.

"It's certainly not our intent to keep the trees and then take them down," Carlson said, acknowledging his team made a mistake. Community Development Director Kerry Teague said the property line was not properly staked and tree protection fencing was not installed before work began.

The developer now proposes planting 20 new trees on the development site and eight additional trees on neighboring private property, including larger evergreen species that would provide year-round screening. The revised plan features black hill spruce, red pine, white pine and tamarack trees ranging from 10 to 16 feet in height.

The council will consider the revised landscaping plan and final site approval on April 16, with the tree replacement tied to the currently under-construction Phase 1 of the project rather than the future Phase 2. The developer must also work directly with affected private property owners to address trees removed from their land.