CM Mary Carolyn Roberts 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?

There needs to be complete transparency with the community and the Council’s Parks, Library, and Arts Committee when it comes to urban canopy. If elected to Metro Council, I will do everything I can to support the Parks Department and get the community engaged and aware so these incidents do not happen again.

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 the bill and currently am a sponsor.

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 would be open to looking at enacting similar legislation, but I would want to read the actual bill before fully supporting it.

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 think TREES ATLANTA is a model we should certainly look at implementing. It is also a great way to get more of the community engaged when it comes to preserving and growing Nashville’s tree canopy.

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?

Mature trees automatically increase property value, so there is an incentive to both the owners and the builders. We could also provide a tax rebate to the property owners and pay for the maintenance of the trees to also help entice them to not cut down the 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?

In my opinion, Nashville is way behind our peers. Since 2017, I have been asking the Council to fund an additional 6 more urban forester positions, because I worry that at this rate we will look back and see a lot of new construction and no canopy of trees.