RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond’s mayor says dozens of mature trees were cleared from the Washington Redskins summer training camp site because original site plans were modified.

Mayor Dwight Jones says the city’s Urban Design Committee and the Planning Commission approved updated plans that resulted in the project being shifted by 100 feet.

The camp is being built on state-owned property behind the Science Museum of Virginia. Grading and excavation began last week.

Jones says the shift occurred to protect the visibility of a future special events center behind the museum.

He says the plan’s original intent was to save as many trees as possible. Jones says the lost trees will be replaced, and he plans to improve communications with project developers.

City Councilman Chris Hilbert says the loss of the trees is shocking.

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