The proposed Tree Ordinance published by City Planning on January 21, 2021 has some positive changes, but unfortunately, reads more like a Tree Removal Ordinance. It focuses on prioritizing which trees can be taken down and how to reduce paying recompense fees, which are collected to pay for tree replanting. Unlike our current ordinance, there are no measurable goals to preserve or enhance the tree canopy.
Here are the top 20 reasons why the City's proposed Ordinance does not protect the tree canopy and the ways we recommend fixing the Ordinance.
Top 10 Things to Fix
While there are numerous issues with the Planning Department's draft that was released in January 2021 which we have covered in-depth. To summarize, here are the top 10 things that must be fixed in the City's draft before we can endorse it.
Tree Advocacy Groups' Feedback
The Tree Next Door and other Atlanta tree advocacy groups have serious concerns with the City's proposed new tree ordinance, now expected to be voted on by City Council on either June 21st or July 5th. Click on each logo below to read each group's feedback:
The Tree Next Door
Click here to contact your City Council representatives about the City's proposed new tree ordinance.