DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Longtime DeKalb County residents Marti Keller and husband Richard Cohen aren’t fans of bending the rules.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“We’ve watched it happen in Decatur, how it can work and it can’t work. There are ways to get around it,” Keller said.
DeKalb’s Tree Protection Ordinance is in place because development accounts for 80% of the county’s tree canopy loss. So, for the first time in 20 years, the rules are going to be tightened.
“I think there’s been a lot of development in DeKalb,” County Commissioner Michelle Long Spears said. “For us to continue to protect our tree canopy is why it’s now the right time to focus on updating that ordinance.”
TRENDING STORIES:
- Man accused of stealing 700 pounds of copper wire from Georgia Power
- 2 men wounded in Atlanta; shooter was riding e-bike, police say
- Police investigating deadly shooting at apartment complex
The commissioner has helped arrange a series of public meetings to get input. Many residents don’t want DeKalb to lose trees the way Atlanta has.
Last month, Greg Levine with the nonprofit Trees Atlanta told Channel 2 Action News the city gets a failing grade. The City in the Forest is losing 150 acres of its tree canopy every year.
DeKalb actually gained a little bit in recent years, but Keller and Cohen say the county should aim higher and require developers to do more to preserve the trees.
“They can do things and say, we’re sorry. But the trees have been cut. What are you gonna do?” Cohen said.
The county is holding a string of meetings to update the Tree Protection Ordinance. The next one is set for Oct. 7 at the Tobie Grant Recreation Center.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]