Representatives from the engineering firm and developer Vandercar Holdings Inc. say the trees were cut down after they got approval from Dave McElroy, Warren County Soil and Water District administrator. But they were supposed to get that approval from township Community Development Director Tim Hershner.

Even though Hershner said he would have likely deferred to McElroy's opinion, the situation angered residents who have opposed the Shoppes of Deerfield development.

"At the get-go, (the development plan) was violated," resident Kate Olsen said. "We're disheartened. We've just plain had it. ... We came to an agreement." Trustee Lee Speidel argued at least one of the cut trees would not have been on the township-approved chopping block. Many of the trees that remain are smaller than ones removed, he added.

Trustees Lee Speidel and Randy Kuvin could not agree Tuesday on final plans for a retail center part of a Mason-Montgomery Road development. Kuvin voted in favor of the plans and Speidel voted no, so the plans failed.

The township's third trustee, Barbara Wilkens Reed, has not participated because her family has interests in area property.