CM Burkley Allen Speaks for the Trees…

QUESTION #1

The Fort Negley clear-cutting and the NFL cherry-tree incidents illustrated something obvious: When it comes to the urban canopy, there is a breakdown of communication between the segments of Metro Government responsible for trees. The problem is that trees fall under the jurisdiction of many different departments (codes, stormwater, electrical, parks). What internal operational changes need to be made to better protect the existing canopy?

The Mayor’s office needs to reinitiate the weekly intradepartmental meetings that allowed better coordination. In addition, the tree-related employees from Codes, Public Works, Water, Parks, and NES need to meet weekly.

QUESTION #2

Do you support the city’s first tree bill in over a decade (BL2018-1416) in its current form? If not, what changes do you want to see? Or should it be stronger and broader in scope? BL1416 impacts only commercial and multi-family land use types. Do you support enacting tree laws for single-family residential?

I support the increased tree density requirements and the incentives to preserve mature trees in the proposed tree ordinance. I think we need better enforcement of the existing requirements for single family homes, and similar incentives for preserving mature trees.

QUESTION #3

Atlanta, Charlotte and Austin all have laws protecting a class of trees they consider to be “heritage trees; property owners must get approval for cutting them down and pay into a tree bank to offset the loss of a large trees in their communities. We feel this sets a tone that makes people more aware and respectful of the urban tree canopy. Do you approve of such legislation?

I support incentives and regulations to protect mature trees, especially “heritage”. The details of the tree bank need to be worked out, but we have good models in the sidewalk pedestrian benefit zone model.

QUESTION #4

TREES ATLANTA is considered by many to be the model for a public/private cooperative that works to protect urban tree canopy. TREES ATLANTA employees even help the city as on-site inspectors who follow up to make sure developers have complied with tree ordinances. What do you think of this model, or what would you do to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of Nashville’s tree code?

The Nashville Tree Foundation with input from the Metro Tree Advisory Committee could serve a similar function, directing Metro personnel to take note of properties that are not in compliance.

QUESTION #5

How could we entice private property owners not to cut down mature trees? How can we encourage developers/builders to keep mature trees in the designing of the home and lot?

Allowing mature trees to count toward storm water infrastructure is an important incentive. We also need to do a better job of education on the monetary, aesthetic, and environmental value of preserving mature trees.

QUESTION #6

Metro Nashville has just 3 employees to oversee all of Davidson County trees, while other peer cities with less tree canopy coverage have 15 to 20 employees on staff for trees. As a result, the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps has cataloged countless incidents where developers eluded complying with tree codes, the city has hundreds of hazardous trees that need to be replaced, and staff have trouble keeping up with just their everyday responsibilities. Do you support spending the money to bring us up to a par with our peer cities? If not, how will you fix this issue?

Nashville needs, at the very least to allocate funding to deal with the Emerald Ash Borer or we will pay for it in lawsuits from property and personal damage when they start falling in public spaces and rights of way. The cost should be shared between Metro and property owners.

BONUS QUESTION FOR COUNCIL CANDIDATES

QUESTION #7

How will you work to bridge the divisions we often experience when talking about advancing tree legislation in Nashville between the community-builder dynamic? How can we advance Nashville’s livability standards while avoiding the risk of State preemption?  

I think we have to bring the two interests together to strike a balance, including opportunities to “walk in each other’s shoes.” Tree advocates should visit a building site to see and hear about logistics of preserving trees. Builders should visit model sites to see best practices in preserving trees and meeting tree density requirements. Then we need to revisit on a regular basis.