The following is a Counterpoint column:
By Melissa Begley
The recent NeighborWoods Tree Fund campaign undertaken by the city of Greensboro and Greensboro Beautiful Inc., along with the removal of mature trees from various locations around Greensboro, have prompted questions about the city's Tree Preservation Ordinance and how it works.
The Tree Preservation Ordinance, adopted in 2001, requires developers of commercial, retail and multifamily developments to save a portion of trees on their property. This ordinance applies only to city properties. It was designed to allow developers to remove trees in order to develop sites, while ensuring that some existing trees remain on the properties. Many times trees are saved around the edges or rear of a property, and a casual observer may not realize the developer is required to save those trees. Tree preservation areas must be protected with orange tree protection fencing or black silt fencing.
The Tree Preservation Ordinance does not apply to new single-family subdivisions or existing residences. Additionally, the ordinance does not apply to N.C. DOT roadway projects or Duke Power line clearance, since the city does not have jurisdiction over state road projects or Duke Power.
Occasionally, citizens will express concerns that the city is not doing enough to preserve our trees. However, it is important to note that city staff is responsible for enforcing the Tree Preservation Ordinance. Other organizations, such as Greensboro Beautiful, can work as advocates to help educate residents but do not create or enforce ordinances.
There are several ways Greensboro residents can make a difference. One of the most important ways is to share your thoughts and opinions with us as we review and rewrite development regulations, including tree preservation standards. Submit your comments and suggestions to: Greensboro Planning Department; Attn: Melissa Begley; P.O. Box 3136, Greensboro, NC 27407 or by e-mail to melissa.begley@greensboro-nc.gov.
In addition, you can speak at City Council meetings during the public comment period and the new business section. Visit the city of Greensboro Web site at www.greensboro-nc.gov or call 373-2065 for information on meetings and your City Council representative.
Another option is to make a tax-deductible donation to the NeighborWoods Tree Fund. The fund is a proactive approach to get more trees planted in Greensboro neighborhoods. The NeighborWoods program and the Tree Preservation Ordinance are designed to work hand in hand to help keep Greensboro great, green and growing. For information on these programs and other useful information, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/forestry/.
The writer is an urban forester with the city of Greensboro.
Comments (6)
"The Tree Preservation Ordinance does not apply to new single-family subdivisions or existing residences."
Why not require that developers of single family subdivisions plant trees to compensate for those they've cleared, or, in the alternative, require that THEY make that "tax-deductible donation" to the Neighborwoods program?
It just seems to me that the developers are making all the money clearing the trees for development, and then the citizens are asked to help "Keep Greensboro Green and Growing..." Seems a little inconsistent to me.
Posted by sc | June 22, 2005 10:42 AM
Yup, let the developers pay for the trees.
What is their argument for NOT paying and making US pay?
Posted by Lilly | June 22, 2005 8:56 PM
I'd be willing to bet that they have a strong government lobby that allows them to escape fees that could go back into planting trees to make up for the ones they've cleared for development. It just astounds me though that after this happens, the local government comes to US under the guise that, "There are several ways Greensboro residents can make a difference."
Why doesn't Ms. Begley appeal to the developers telling them that they can make a difference?
Posted by sc | June 22, 2005 9:18 PM
I've been getting these questions from other people too. We are asking the developers to contribute to the tree fund. We didn't want to specify only them because we want the program to involve all Greensboro citizens, including developers.
On another note, we are currently working on revising our tree preservation and landscape ordinance to get more trees preserved and planted but because it involves a political process it takes time. In other words, we are pursuing other avenues with members of the development community. The NeighborWoods program is independent of the political process and is just a different way to achieve our purpose of getting more trees into the ground.
Posted by mb | June 24, 2005 8:35 AM
The developers can afford to chip in on the tree fund. Afterall, they are paying illegals (and in some cases legals), to do the "work" and pay them hardly a decent wage. Certainly, there is money for them to chip in.
Any developers out there wanna speak out on this, and explain why you cannot "afford" to replace the trees you tear out when you "develop"?
Posted by Lilly | June 24, 2005 12:12 PM
Melissa, Thank you for doing our community a good service. I donated. The points brought up here are interesting, but your organization is actually acting.
Thanks again.
Posted by Dough | June 24, 2005 9:52 PM