CM Nancy VanReece 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?

Transparency with the public and more consistent communication between departments.

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 absolutely support this tree bill and any passable legislation that protects the tree canopy.

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?

It would be great if we could enact legislation that would require property owners to get approval before cutting down trees, but the state legislature is prone to be bullish on individual property rights.

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 haven’t had time to review the model to which you are referring, but here is what I have done so far to protect trees in my district:

During my first term, I secured $1M in funding to revitalize Oakwood Park, which now provides a safe, clean, and family-friendly environment for neighbors to use. The construction agreement went to a local, women-owned business who worked with Tim Netsch and Mark Bradfield of Nashville Parks to save what may be one of the most beautiful collections of natural hardwood forest in the urban core.

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?

We can prioritize working with developers like LDG Development and green builder, Samaroo Development - who I am currently working with projects in Madison - and others who prioritize sustainability and green space, to keep mature trees in the designing of the home and the lot.

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?

At this time, I do not support a property tax increase; however, if in the future the Mayor's office and the Metro Council identify additional revenue sources and there is room for spending money on trees, then I absolutely support this.

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?  

Over the four years I’ve served District 8 on the Metro Council, for all of the development projects, I have prioritized holding meetings between members of the community and the developer in order to collect community input on the project, including whether or not to move forward with it and the design, as well as to ask any questions they may have.  These conversations also often include discussion on the future of the trees in the area with the intention of identifying ways to keep, replace, and add as many of them as possible.