District 12 Candidate Erin Evans 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 maintenance of Nashville’s urban canopy has certainly improved since Megan Barry’s empowerment of an Urban Forestry Program Manager, although it still has room to grow. Given that jurisdiction over tree issues is shared by so many departments, management could be greatly improved by the addition of more personnel whose duties include coordination between departments.

During Nashville’s period of rapid growth, our canopy protections did not grow at a similarly rapid rate and thus have left us far behind peer cities. This issue is too important to let go unaddressed. Trees are good for residents and businesses alike because they allow for clean air and water, protect against flooding, add aesthetic value, and offer the shade that helps preserve our city roads.

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 BL2018-1416 in its current, revised, form. If elected, I would take the time to meet with the relevant municipal employees and urban forest experts in order to determine the best way to address any gaps that may not be covered by the current bill.

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?

As a member of the Metro Beautification committee, I understand the unique value that large trees offer to their community. I do support laws, like the current form of BL2018-1416, that require property owners to get approval for cutting them down. While I share the belief that there must be a tone shift in order to ensure that Nashville residents and developers take seriously the act of removing valuable trees, I am hesitant to require private citizens to pay large sums of money into a fund in order to remove trees lawfully on their residential property. If elected, I would need to further examine the issue, consult with the relevant parties, and consider the specific rates of payment to reach a firm conclusion.

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?

I admire Atlanta’s comprehensive cooperative and would be in favor of a similar system in Nashville. In order to execute this, though, Davidson county would need to allocate more staff to oversee the protection of its urban canopy because, under our current system, employees are already overwhelmed with more cases to review than a staff their size is equipped to handle.

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?

The steps put forth in BL2018-1416 are an important first step in this process. Section 17.20.110 – Parking reduction for preservation of protected and heritage trees, is a great example of the way the city can encourage private developers and builders to retain trees native to their property.

Additionally, public awareness of issues relating to Nashville’s urban canopy must be increased. Currently, many residents are able to take advantage of the benefits a healthy canopy offers to their neighborhood, but are unaware that that canopy could be one day be jeopardized. If more residents and developers are educated on the vast health, safety, and aesthetic benefits trees offer to their communities, they will be more likely to demand that private and residential properties have healthy and sustainable canopies, thus holding developers accountable. If elected, my primary goal is to ensure an open line of communication between my constituents and myself. In order to bring awareness to this issue, I would take the time to meet with the experts, and then provide the relevant information to my constituents in an easily consumable manner. I have a track record of doing just this. After attending the Citizens Water Academy, I created an informational video raising awareness about appropriate waste practices which then received over 30,000 views on Facebook.

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, I support the effort to bring Nashville up to par with its peer cities.

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?  

In order to improve the divisions between developers and communities on this issue, public awareness needs to be increased so that both coalitions have access to the relevant information and can participate in more productive conversations. Additionally, Nashville’s Metropolitan council should continue to pass land-use policies that protect our community's canopy.