Vice Mayor Jim Schulman 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?

We have to make it very clear to all departments that cutting down/harming trees on public lands is not an acceptable practice and must be stopped.  The quickest solution is to place all issues regarding our trees in one department and make it clear, through ordinances or policy, that only one entity has jurisdiction.  That one jurisdiction must then have strict policies in place that must be followed.

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?

As the Vice Mayor, I do not get a vote on legislation unless there is a tie vote.  However, I am a big proponent in protecting our environment and protecting our trees.  I would like to see our tree density consistent with other cities our size. And though I understand the rights of a single family residential homeowner, I would advocate for passing any allowable and well-thought out protections.

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 certainly do.

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 am concerned that there are too many situations where trees are inappropriately taken down.  We must make it very clear what the laws are and then properly enforce. I have not studied the TREES ATLANTA model but it certainly sounds like something Nashville should review and look at implementing.  Our environment is everyone’s concern. 

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?

Provide incentives (in the form of technical land use requirements) to developers to keep 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 has a variety of major issues currently being discussed.  We have concerns regarding educational funding, infrastructure needs, and public safety.  Those are significant City issues. But if we do not protect the City’s overall environment (which includes our trees), we will have even bigger issues to deal with down the road.  It is time (past time) to refocus on what our priorities are and step up to deal with them. Making sure that our City protects our environmental future is one of them.