District 2 Council Candidate - Kyonzte Toombs - Speaks for the Trees!
Kyonzte Toombs
District 2 Council Candidate
Nashville Tree Conservation Corps asked candidates running for Nashville’s 2019 election how they would solve some of our city’s most challenging tree canopy issues. See how they responded in the question and answer below!
Kyonzte Toombs 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 would have to study the role of each department that has a part in dealing with the city’s trees and how those departments interact (or not) to answer this question appropriately. The cherry-tree situation did illustrate a breakdown in communication. So, there should be some internal changes if our goal as a city is to protect our tree canopy.
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 protecting the city’s tree canopy. I need to know more about the pros and cons of this bill to determine whether I would support it in its current form or suggest amendments. The same goes for enacting tree laws for single-family residential. How much of the costs will be passed on to buyers? What impact will that have on the affordability of housing? What environmental impact will this bill have other than having a lot of trees that are aesthetically pleasing and help with air quality? Will the preservation of trees help with some of the infrastructure (i.e., flooding) problems that result from the development in particular areas due to the uprooting of trees and changing of the landscape? These are just a few questions that I have. The bill is a good start simply because it puts the issue before the Council for its consideration and a discussion with the public.
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?
Does “property owners” refer to developers? If we are referring to actual residents, then I have to consider that the median income in my district is about $35,000. So, when an additional cost is proposed, I have to consider how my lower income residents will be impacted. What would be the process for getting approval? Would there be a cost to getting approval? What would be the cost of paying into the tree bank? This is an issue that I would have to discuss with my constituents before taking a position.
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 would need to know more information. As a government attorney, having a public/private relationship related to regulation gives me pause. A few questions: What control does the City of Atlanta have over the Trees Atlanta employees? Is the city completely dependent on Trees Atlanta for its inspections? How much does this arrangement cost, and how is each party’s financial obligation determined? My preference is for a government function (i.e., regulation) be performed solely by government employees.
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 market controls what developers/builders build. If there is a demand for mature trees, then more mature trees will be preserved. Attend community meetings when some of these development projects are discussed and educate the public and the developers on the importance 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?
We need to spend money on so many things as a city such as our schools, teachers, and first responders. I would want to study the budgets of those other cities and compare those budgets with Nashville’s budget to see how those cities are funding things such as education in comparison to Nashville. Perhaps those budgets can provide some guidance in determining how to provide resources to protect our tree canopy.
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?
Relationship building. You have to build the necessary relationships on the front end, so that when proposed legislation is presented, stakeholders on the local and state level are more receptive to what you have to say because they know and respect you (even if they do not necessarily agree with you). If you build the necessary relationships on the front end, then you are more likely to reach some type of compromise. For example, creating an ally in your local state representative could help you navigate, or avoid, issues with the state legislature.