Cleveland mulls tree preservation measure

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Developers may have to put more consideration into trees and neighbors when they prepare building sites.

The Cleveland City Council last week gave initial approval to adding a tree preservation ordinance and amended buffering requirements in city zoning regulations.

The changes have been discussed for months by builders, residents and city officials.

“As a whole, we are in agreement,” said Chris Spors, president of the 170-member Ocoee Region Builders Association. But some questions are left to future “tweaking,” he said.

The biggest concern for builders, he said, is that construction not be delayed while obtaining permission to clear trees.

The work done by the city’s Community Development Department grew out of complaints by residents in the Lennox Hills subdivision. A developer cut all the trees on a wooded hillside that surrounds their neighborhood. The residents, some in tears, came to the City Council to protest, but by then the trees were gone.

Community Planning Director Greg Thomas said the size of the buffer between properties depends on what kind of commercial use might happen next to residential areas.

Christy Williams, who spoke for the Lennox Hills families and is now a City Council candidate, said she supports the changes but has some reservations. She said she still believes the buffer between commercial development and residential areas is too narrow.

She pointed out that Chattanooga also is considering requiring buffers.

“That is what we are trying to do, and it is an excellent thing,” she said.

Mayor Tom Rowland noted that he challenged Cleveland residents in 1991 to plant 30,000 trees by 2000. He said the goal was achieved ahead of the deadline.

Councilman Richard Banks said tree preservation is an environmental issue, too, because trees cool houses and lower air conditioning demands.