Resolution 19-R-3365 was ADOPTED by the Atlanta City Council on March 18, 2019 and
APPROVED by City Charter Section 2-403 on March 27, 2019

RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMEMBER NATALYN M. ARCHIBONG

A RESOLUTION URGING THE ATLANTA CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO EXPEDITE THE COMPLETION OF THE CITY'S TREE ORDINANCE REWRITE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, Atlanta's Tree Protection Ordinance is an environmentally important law that protects the city's tree canopy and sustains its urban forest for the benefit of residents, visitors and long-term sustainability of Atlanta's ecosystem; and

WHEREAS, despite the intent of the existing Tree Protection Ordinance, the loss of Atlanta's most valued trees and forest resources continues at an alarming pace; and

WHEREAS, the Planning Department contracted with the firm Biohabitats to work on the Tree Ordinance project and develop an urban ecology framework with a mandate to "define a better future condition for the natural environment, including high-level recommendations about future green spaces, green connections, and green policies"; and

WHEREAS, the project commenced in mid-2018 with the collection and analysis of data and community forums scheduled to be held during April 2019, and a final draft of the ordinance projected to be completed by late July or early August 2019; and

WHEREAS, development in the City of Atlanta is on the rise, with over 22,537 construction permits issued for construction year-to-date, which is an 8% increase over 2018 and a 37% increase over 2014 figures; and

WHEREAS, historically Atlanta is called the "city of trees" because it is covered with an extensive canopy of mature trees and this rich history is in jeopardy of being erased; and

WHEREAS, there is a pressing need, substantially related to the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Atlanta to expeditiously enact regulations governing the protection of trees.

NOW, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATLANTA HEREBY RESOLVES that the Atlanta City Planning Department make every effort to expedite the completion of the Atlanta Tree Ordinance rewrite and review its timeline for any modifications which could be implemented to expedite the process.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Atlanta City Planning Department consider reviewing available options for enacting some interim development controls governing preservation of trees until permanent controls are adopted through the Tree Ordinance re-write.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this resolution are repealed.