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Posts Tagged ‘tree ordinance’

New Tree Canopy Conservation Ordinance

Posted in Sustainability, tagged , , , , on June 16, 2014 | Leave a Comment »

The Decatur City Commission voted to adopt a new Tree Canopy Conservation Ordinance that will go into effect on July 7, 2014. The purpose of this update is to modernize the current ordinance (which dates back to 1988) and to encourage the conservation of existing tree canopy.oakhurstpres

You can learn more about the Tree Canopy Conservation Ordinance at a public information meeting Monday, June 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Community Room at the Leveritt Public Works Building, 2635 Talley Street.

To read the new ordinance, please visit the following website: Tree Canopy Conservation Ordinance

The Design, Environment, and Construction Division is currently working to finalize processes and procedures to implement the new ordinance. More information will be available soon. Questions? Contact John Maximuk, john.maximuk@decaturga.com, 678-553-6570.

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Decatur Tree Ordinance Update

Posted in Sustainability, tagged , , , , on May 12, 2014 | Leave a Comment »

An update process for Decatur’s tree regulations has been underway since this past fall.  The second round of revisions is being considered for adoption by the City Commission on May 19 at 7:30pm, Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St. The purpose to of the update is to modernize the existing ordinance which was developed in 1988, and encourage the conservation of existing tree canopy. Regulation of tree cover is one of several approaches being used by the city to manage the community forest.  The Decatur Tree Conservation Ordinance will provide minimum requirements for the protection, maintenance and renewal of trees.

Timeline

  • Update process started – October 2013
  • Public input meeting – December 11, 2013
  • First draft tabled by City Commission for further review –  January 21, 2014
  • City Commission Work Session to discuss revisions – March 3, 2014
  • Second draft released – April 8, 2014
  • City Commission Work Session on second draft – May 5, 2014
  • City Commission consideration for adoption – May 19, 2014, 7:30 p.m., Decatur City Hall

What are the impacts on residents?

Under the revised draft, owners may remove up to 3 protected trees every 18 months. Homeowners will be required to fill out a free, informational permit which will allow the City to track tree canopy. A protected tree is defined as having a 6 inches or greater diameter at breast height.  If protected tree removal is part of a project that requires a land development permit or is the 4th or greater protected tree removal within 18 months, then the owner must document the existing tree canopy cover and maintain the same amount of tree canopy once the project is complete. For example, if a property has 40% tree canopy cover and the owner decides to build an addition that will cause the removal of a 12” tree with 600 square feet of tree canopy, then the owner will have to plant  600 square feet of new tree canopy cover.

Feedback
Comments can still be submitted using the DecaturNext website

UPDATED Ordinance Materials (as presented on May 5, 2014):

Ordinance Materials (as presented on January 21, 2014):

Tree Fact Sheets:

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Wanted: Your opinion about the updated tree ordinance

Posted in Sustainability, tagged , , , , , on April 18, 2014 | Leave a Comment »

There are 15 days left to weigh in about the updated tree ordinance draft on Open City Hall. The question is “Do you support the adoption of the UPDATED Tree Conservation Ordinance?” You can select from “Strongly Support, Support, Neutral, Oppose, Strongly Oppose” and also have the option to submit a written statement.

What is Open City Hall?

Open City Hall is an on-line forum for civic engagement. Read what others are saying about important Decatur topics, then post your own statement. City officials will read the statements and incorporate them into their decision process.

When you post your first statement, you will be asked for your name and home address. This confidential information is only used to identify statements from residents in and near Decatur – so that users know which statements are from local residents.

Open City Hall is run by Peak Democracy, a non-partisan company whose mission is to broaden civic engagement and build public trust in government. They will keep your information confidential per their strict privacy policy.

As with any public comment process, participation in Open City Hall is voluntary; city officials will consider input from this forum along with all other channels for participation. However you choose to participate, thanks for helping us build a better Decatur.

Share your opinion about the updated tree conservation ordinance right now, online

trees square

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Updated Tree Conservation Draft Ordinance

Posted in Meetings, tagged , , , , , , , on April 8, 2014 | 1 Comment »

Missed last night’s work session about the updated Tree Conservation Ordinance draft? You can see  it (as well as a summary and last night’s PowerPoint presentation) online here.

trees square

 

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