**Tonya Hancock**

*District 9 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!

Tonya Hancock 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 do not think the mayor needs to make unilateral decisions. Mayors should discuss the options with each relevant department, and if the answer is not clear, then hold a meeting with an expert in each relevant department in order to make the best decision for the city and the residents of Metro Nashville.

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?

BL2018-1416 is something I support. I also support enacting tree laws for heritage trees, on commercial and residential properties with reasonable exceptions to protect a family home.

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?

Yes, as I stated above, I support enacting tree laws for heritage trees, on commercial and residential properties, and providing education classes to the public about the importance of tree canopy, and planting two seedlings for every one tree cut down. Education on invasive and hazardous trees should also be included.

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?

TREES ATLANTA is a smart way to ensure building sites are inspected before and after to ensure regulations are followed. In addition we should consider geographic information systems (GIS) that can measure tree canopy, and use technology to measure the health of the trees 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?

In addition to protecting Heritage Trees, as mentioned above we need to provide education classes to the public about the importance of tree canopy, and planting two seedlings for every one tree cut down. We should also encourage developers to use their designs to enhance the natural landscape features, especially including heritage 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, we need to allocate more resources to get on par with our peer cities in number of staff allocated to managing and inspecting development where trees are concerned, but we need to do it without increasing our current debt, therefore we will have to make cuts elsewhere.

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?

[The candidate did not provide a response to this question.]

District 9 Council Candidate - Tonya Hancock - Speaks for the Trees!