The city of Alachua’s Building and Planning Department placed a stop work order on the Tara Phoenicia property near Mill Creek Sink Thursday morning for unauthorized clearing of land.

According to the order, the complaint applies to Alachua County tax parcel 03066-002-000.

Principal Planner Carson Crockett said the city received the complaint Thursday morning and doesn’t know who was removing the regulated trees, although it typically falls on the owners of the land.

Developer Sayed Moukhtara owns Tara Phoenicia through Tara Forest LLC. The property is poised to serve as the commercial component of a five-development plan bringing more than 1,000 homes to the karst-sensitive land over the Floridan Aquifer.

Alachua’s Planning and Zoning Board issued a highly contested but unanimous rejection of a special exception permit for stormwater infrastructure on the Tara April property in January, seemingly halting development for the time being.

Crockett said no more trees are allowed to be removed until the complaint is sorted out. Although response varies for different properties, he said this can look like coming to the city with a restoration plan or getting proper approvals.

The landowners would have around 30 days to submit a restoration plan or else face fines.