Sandy Springs on Cutting Edge of Tree Conservation
In what may be the most significant change to an existing Atlanta area tree ordinance,the City of Sandy Springs is drafting an entirely new tree ordinance. The new one is proposed to replace the standing ordinance, which is currently a duplicate of the Fulton County ordinance with a few administrative changes. The changes are not small. Rather than give the existing ordinance a tune-up, the proposed ordinance will dramatically change the way trees are inventoried, preserved, and replanted on construction sites and new developments. There will be an emphasis on tree canopy cover instead of trunk inches, and an improved method of accounting replacement and protected trees. Sandy Springs citizens will have more opportunities to comment on the City’s proposed Tree Ordinance in the coming months. There will be a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2007, at City Hall. The Advisory Committee will meet at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 and Jan. 22, 2007. A draft of the ordinance, which promotes conservati