Dan Fitzpatrick 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?

I believe we run into the same problem with sidewalks and other transportation issues in town. There needs to be one body that oversees all tree related issues. Additionally, we as a city are completely lacking in the amount of arborists we need. I believe that by hiring the appropriate amount of arborists then a singular department under which they all sit will emerge as the bureaucratic body overseeing all tree related issues.

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 do support it in its current form. This is because it was introduced over 6 months ago and is in a constant state of deferring. We need action now and can amend as time goes by. I'm also proud of my current councilman, Anthony Davis, for being a cosponsor on this bill. I would support heritage tree laws for single family residential if it still respected an owners property rights.

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 getting approval and paying into a tree bank. The main problem for me is less of aesthetics (although I of course love old, robust trees and the romanticism and memories they evoke) and more of drainage/ water. Every tree and greenery that we lose effects our neighbors "down hill."

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?

To me this is all about staffing up with arborists/ other professionals. We need more folks who are trained and educated to be working for the city under a singular department.

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?

It's about setting expectations and not turning anyone into the enemy. The goal is to preserve trees while increasing our canopy and being a good neighbor all at the same time. Time is money for developers, so, the faster that a project can get started the better off they are. As an enticement I would encourage them to submit plans that the neighborhood would approve and be proud of. The neighbors would want the historic trees to be included in these plans.

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?

Yes. Increasing staff is the only solution.

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?  

Again this is all about being good neighbors. Expectations set on the front end for builders/developers that plans that are consistent with the neighborhood's previous wishes and protective of the environment would have a higher likelihood of moving forward sooner.