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    March 14, 1999

    On Thursday, March 11, all DeKalb County Commissioners, Department of Public Works, and Legal Department met in a Work Session from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Many citizens, DeKalb Citizens Committee for New Tree Ordinance, developers, homebuilders, and Atlanta Homebuilders Association were present. The dialog between commissioners and Public Works was productive with each gaining a better understanding of each other's goals and objectives without becoming overly suspicious. While several points of consensus were reached it is not clear in what form these exact ideas will take until the Law Department submits the actual text which should be prepared for next meeting March 17, 1999 at 2:00pm. I will attempt to have the amendments posted as soon as possible. In summary form amendments being discussed are summarized below.

    1. Individual homeowners needs tree survey, etc, if they have more than five trees to remove. Any homeowner may remove five (5) or fewer under thirty (30) inches DBH on any single-family residential property, within a single calendar year without permit. If more than five trees are involved, then there will be a set of criteria (to be drafted by law dept.).
    2. For homeowners, if no trees removal is involved an arborist, forester, landscaper can provide site approval instead of tree survey in obtaining building or land disturbance permit.
    3. Infill development needs arborist's OK for removal of specimen trees and reforestation.
    4. For grandfathered site development, uncleared lots follow process in ordinance and cleared lots follow chart
    5. For nongrandfathered site development, limit survey to trees with diameters of some amount for than 8" dbh and less than 24" dbh.
    6. Hardship applications no longer accepted once amended tree ordinance is adopted.
    7. Projects conditionally zoned to site plan before February 9 are grandfathered from Tree Ordinance

    Next meeting with commissioners is Wednesday, March 17, at 2 PM; at that time the Chamber will present their proposals for amendments on Commercial & Vote on amendments is scheduled April 13.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Next meeting is Wednesday, March 17, at 2 PM. At that time the law department the points of consensus in amendment form. Vote on amendments is scheduled April 13.

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    Facts

    Views

    Arabia Mountain. Hike to the top for a beautiful view of DeKalb County's trees. For that in the forest feel go across the street (.5 north from trail to the top) and visit DeKalb County's Arabia Park and hike to Arabia Lake. It is about 1 mile to the lake. It is especially gorgeous in the fall. Off of Klondike Road south of Lithonia.

    Fernbank Forest. One of seven virgin forests in all of the United States. Paths are paved which is convenient for strollers and wheel chairs. Located behind the Fernbank Science Center (do not confuse with the Fernbank Museum).

    Piedmont Wildlife Refuge. Located about 1.5 hours south of Atlanta in the Oconee National Forest, approximately 25 miles north of Macon. The refuge may be visited by exiting I-75 at Exit 61 in Forsyth and driving east along the Juliette Road for 18 miles to the refuge office and visitor center. Enjoyable display on the history of trees in the area. Be sure to pick up a map of the Oconee for further exploration on the many Forest Service Roads. For old growth go by the Ocmulgee River where the trees seemed to have been there for a long time.

    Stone Mountain. Yes, Stone Mountain is under new ownership and it shows. They have built a beautiful nature trail 1/2 mile past the parking lot for the train station and trail to the top. Take the red trail for a gorgeous views of American Beech and creeks.

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