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Tree-cutting gets complex : Proposed PTC ordinance limits homeowners to thinning no more than three 10-inch trees a year

By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@thecitizennews.com

Peachtree City homeowners can still cut down the occasional small tree or thin underbrush on their property under proposed revisions to the city’s landscape and tree preservation ordinance.

But the bigger the job, the more complicated it will get, including the requirement to apply for a new city tree-cutting permit.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes during their meeting Thursday night. The revised ordinance, which resulted from a citizen’s task force, has already gotten approval from the city’s Planning Commission.

City staff is recommending council approve it as well.

A public hearing is required first, however, since the new ordinance significantly changes the manner in which city residents can remove vegetation on their property.

City spokeswoman Betsy Tyler said the rules wouldn’t change on what kinds of trees require a permit for removal.

At issue is the size of the trees. As defined in the current ordinance, “protected” trees in the city include:

• Any “deciduous canopy tree 15 inches in diameter four feet above the ground”;

• Any “evergreen canopy tree 18 inches in diameter four feet above the ground”;

• Any “understory tree four inches in diameter at four feet above the ground.”

Homeowners can still remove non-protected or “specimen” trees on their own property without getting a permit and paying a fee, as long as they do the work themselves.

However, they would be limited to removing no more than 30 caliper inches of trees within a 12-month period.

According to Tyler, that would mean three 10-inch trees could be removed within a year, but no more, for example.

If a homeowner wants to remove more trees or larger trees, a $25 permit is required. City staff must come out to approve the removal, and a professional licensed tree removal company must be hired to do the job.

“We’re just making sure preferred companies are out there doing the job and they’ve got the proper permits,” said Tyler, adding that some fly-by-night tree services had done business in the city and left customers disappointed.

The ordinance strictly defines the rules about hauling off debris after a tree comes down, which has been another sticking point for the city, Tyler said.

“We’re simply adding stipulations on when the work can be done and by whom,” said Tyler.

In a nutshell, concluded Tyler, “Can you cut down a tree and do it yourself? Yes. But if you pay a company to do it, you’re going to have to get a permit.”

The City Council meeting is at 7 p.m. at City Hall.