District 13 Council Candidate Russ Bradford 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?

Communication between departments and better transparency is needed. I think a more efficient means of controlling our tree canopy is by placing ALL trees under Parks or created a special Arborist division within Parks (if there isn't one already), this way one Metro department can manage 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 do support BL2018-1416, I have already emailed the Council to ask that they support it as well. I think what we need to look at for single-family is at the developers end. So many developments start by clear-cutting the area then replanting smaller trees that take years to mature. We should educate more about the benefits of keeping as many mature trees as possible, such as better aesthetics, greater desirability, better property value, providing shade thus decrease cooling costs, etc.

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 do like this idea, the primary issue I have is that property owners have a right to do what they wish and Metro should be careful not to be seen as overstepping. I think making sure owners know the benefits to protect these trees and letting them know that if they choose to cut down the trees the impact that can have on their property value and to the overall canopy and health of our city.

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 this model could work well here in Nashville. I think including tree related concerns in HUBNashville would be great as well.

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?

As I mentioned before, I think showing developers and property owners the financial benefits to keeping as many mature trees as possible. When I was looking for my first home, I preferred areas that already had an established tree canopy over those with smaller replanted 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?

Yes. I believe there are areas of Metro where we are spending too much on outsourcing jobs and that we can instead hire more in house employees for the cost of the contracted labor.

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?  

I think focusing on the financial bonuses and positive impacts having mature trees can improve the chances of laws being passed with little to no push-back from private or State.