Dear Drew Valley Residents,
Eight years after our city’s incorporation, the Brookhaven City Council has unanimously approved a tree ordinance that will protect our canopy, enhance the health of our children and wildlife and improve our quality of life in a big way.
Many concerned citizens have served on the Brookhaven Tree Conservancy and contributed to the rewrite of this important document, and more recently, the addition of India Woodson, Brookhaven’s Arborist and Jeff Dadison, Brookhaven’s Tree Canopy Manager has served us well with their collective expertise.
In recent years, Brookhaven’s tree surveys have demonstrated substantial canopy loss, but with our city’s enforcement and our vigilance, this trend will reverse. And since city staff can’t be everywhere, our alertness will help assure that only approved tree cutting is happening.
While below are some of the major changes to the tree ordinance, it’s important that we understand the process which briefly explained is this…
- A builder must apply for a land disturbance permit from the city.
- Included in the LDP application is a full diagram of the property with all trees, 4” DBH (diameter at breast height, 4 ½’) and larger identifying size, species, and health. Also marked on the diagram are trees intended to be cut.
- Based on provisions in the ordinance, all trees to be cut must be approved by the arborist who will deliver a sign at least 5 days in advance of the tree removal. It will be placed at street level, highly visible and trees to be removed will be ribboned.
If you see questionable activity about to happen with no signage having been posted, please call Brookhaven Code Enforcement at 404-637-0500 on weekdays or till noon on Saturday. After business hours, call 911. Your call will be confidential.
Although it’s well known that the majority of Brookhaven’s tree canopy is situated on private property, the overwhelming number of trees cut have been from tree cutters contracted by builders and developers.
The legitimate tree cutters who apply for permits have been notified of the new ordinance. We need to thwart the ones who perform virtual clear cuts of lots without obtaining permits.
Some key provision changes…
- The Tree Ordinance applies to citizens, developers of residential and commercial property, and to city-owned property.
- The City Council agreed that we will protect high value trees and established a Specimen Tree Table that protects our best trees. Permits will not be granted to cut specimen trees and homeowners can only remove 2 non-specimen trees in 18 months.
- Sidewalk Ordinance guidelines will protect specimen trees.
- Replacement trees must be native species.
- Overstory and understory trees are required to be planted or preserved in front yards.
- Trees in the city right-of-way cannot be removed by developers or homeowners.
- Notice of tree removal signs will be visible from the street and posted 5 days in advance; these signs are issued by the City Arborist.
- Chain link fences are required around tree protection zones, so no parking or storing of materials or equipment is allowed.
- Better boundary tree protection, by ensuring homeowners know their right to protect their trees from a neighboring build.
- The Alternative Compliance provision was removed, and variances will be heard by the Board of Appeals, which will prevent clear-cutting of lots.
- Increased the diameter at breast height (DBH) requirement from 120” to 130” per acre.
- Recompense raised from $200 per DBH inch to $240 per DBH inch to match City of Atlanta, as we share streets and neighborhoods.
- Added negligent driving penalties for damaging tree roots with heavy equipment on landscaped yards, building sites and rights-of-way.
- Established principles for use of the Brookhaven Tree Fund.
Next steps for the Brookhaven Tree Conservancy will focus on educating citizens, builders and property owners about our trees and our tree protection ordinance. We welcome your volunteer efforts to help with this.
Please share this information with friends and neighbors. Your help is essential in making Brookhaven a beautiful and healthy place to live.
courtesy Lori Gray and Lissie Stahlman
July 14, 2021