To: Decatur City Commissioners

Trees Decatur Petition

@ TREES DECATUR PETITION @
September 14, 2013
PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION ASKING THE CITY OF DECATUR TO DO MORE TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE HEALTHY TREE CANOPY IN OUR COMMUNITY
1. Trees benefit our community in many ways, such as: aesthetics; decreased urban noise and air pollution; energy and soil conservation; minimize flooding; food and cover for healthy urban wildlife; and economic value and stability to business and residential neighborhoods.
2. Tree canopy cover in Decatur has decreased 4% over the last 17 years. This loss is due to more and larger commercial and residential developments in recent years. A reversal of this trend is essential to the quality of life in our community.
3. Decatur’s tree ordinance and administrative guidelines are weak and need revision to improve clarity, consistency; and strength including: tree canopy conservation requirements; updated standards and a recommended tree species list.
4. The capacity for program administration is inadequate to meet current community forest management goals. Decatur should hire a full-time City arborist and utilize a Tree Preservation Board (Environmental Sustainability Commission) for a more cost-effective administration and an improved Tree Protection Program.
5. Community Education and Involvement is a critical component of the Tree Preservation and Protection Program. The City should help educate homeowners and businesses about benefits of tree proliferation/preservation; use of good practices to ensure trees remain healthy; local requirements and more.
6. Tree Protection Plans and resulting tree fees from new development and redevelopment projects must result in actual tree protection. Swift enforcement should be taken against developers or other individuals who impact trees previously designated as protected. Repeat offenders should be publicized and not be granted additional development in Decatur for a specific time period.
7. Tree Bank Funds must be used exclusively for tree protection and canopy preservation purposes with emphasis on preservation, protection and/or replacement of trees in immediate neighborhoods affected by significant canopy loss due to development activities.
8. Decatur must evaluate and publicize the recent comprehensive tree inventory and designate historic and specimen trees for recognition and additional protection.
9. Decatur should create an incentive plan for builders and renovators to keep existing trees in buildable lot areas rather than removing them. Incentives may include (but not limited to) yard signs/flags recognizing tree-friendly site development plans; discounted permit fees; fast track permitting and variance request privileges; and special taxation considerations.
10. We concur with the conclusions and recommendations of the City of Decatur Community Forest Plan (November 2012) that support the statements presented above. We believe improvements should be made now, not later, to slow down the on-going destruction of the City’s urban forest.

Why is this important?

The oldest and most beautiful trees in the City of Decatur are disappearing at an alarming rate due to rapid development and a weak regulations. City Officials are considering a possible amendment (including adoption of a stronger Tree Protection Ordinance) to improve City of Decatur Tree Protection Program in the near future but will only do so if local residents support it. This petition describes many of the documented program weaknesses and suggestions on how to improve Decatur's Tree Protection so we can to preserve and promote a healthy tree canopy. We must work together to preserve the best of Decatur. Thank you for your support!
We will present the petition in October at the City Commissioners meeting when trees are discussed on their agenda.