Atlanta's Trees (Roswell, Decatur, Druid Hills: home builders, neighborhoods, construction)

[globalnomad]

One of the best things about Atlanta are its trees.

"Trees cover 27 percent of metro Atlanta compared with only 16.6 percent of New York City, 21 percent of Boston and 11 percent of Chicago".

But, according to this article from the New York Times, the developers and bulldozers are winning and "Atlanta's lush canopy is thinning".

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/us/06atlanta.html

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by globalnomad

One of the best things about Atlanta are its trees.

"Trees cover 27 percent of metro Atlanta compared with only 16.6 percent of New York City, 21 percent of Boston and 11 percent of Chicago".

But, according to this article from the New York Times, the developers and bulldozers are winning and "Atlanta's lush canopy is thinning".

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/us/06atlanta.html

It's true. Read my thread on the development of N. Druid Hills area. A terrible plan, jmo.

TakeAhike

[Kimberly silver]

Does anyone know what kind of tree these are?

[atlantagreg30127]

I found one particular quote in the article very interesting...


"Stephen D. Palmer, president of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, questioned the city’s use of the collected fees. Only a fraction of the millions of dollars raised under the tree ordinance has paid for the replanting or care of trees, as required by law, he said.

“Our question is, ‘Where the heck is the money?’ ” Mr. Palmer said. “There seems to be money missing.”


Indeed, with over one hundred million dollars "missing" from Atlanta's budget which the Mayor and City employees still can't account for, this adds yet another question mark as to what the city has been doing with various collected taxes, fines, and funds over the last couple of years or so. Hopefully, more people will be asking questions like the one above soon, and the Feds will step in to investigate.

[gt6974a]

yeah but n-hoods with all the trees were clear cut 60 years ago, just look at pics.

You're allowed to take down a tree w/o permit if it's within 6-10 feet of your foundation, after that, cough it up. It's not so much to save trees, it's just another tax. That's why the money is missing.

People generally take down their Pines but leave their oaks, spruces, dogwoods, etc.

[TakeAhike]

Individual homeowners removing random trees is not the source of the 'loss of Atlanta's lush canopy'. Count the strip malls, watch the high density development encroach upon the neighborhoods once sheltered by trees that have been there for over half a century.

I have pics of my neighborhood in the 50's with scrawny saplings planted in front yards. Now we have majestic oaks, magnolias and mature trees that are 'Irreplacable'. It makes me sick to my stomach when I see a freshly bulldozed gash in parts of Briarcliff Rd and the area around it to make room for unnecessary high density mixed use developments.

Leave well enough alone--will we and our elected officials never get the priorities straight? At least there are those who care about Fernbank Forest and have taken steps to protect that resource. You can just bet that those living around Emory University/Druid Hills/Decatur and vicinity have found legal remedies for retaining their Green Spaces. Hopefully, others will soon be so motivated.

I cannot describe how very green and beautiful NE Atlanta was 50 years ago--once farmland and after the war the suburbs were created. At that time DeKalb County did give some thought to how the future would be shaped as the area developed. Sidewalks were laid, now in need of critical repair and public parks and recreation areas were incorporated. Bonds had to be issued and the taxpayers unfailingly, trustingly approved the proposed improvements and strongly supported public education, libraries, law enforcement and health care for those with challenges.

Now the Boomers and their parents are told that there is 'No $' for your needs and we will do as we please with your communities---cough--designated town centers/cash cows---and where, oh, where did all those tax dollars go, Vernon and Commissioners?

I will be casting a vote for 'Change' November and taking a much more serious look at what elected officials propose.

By golly, if Decatur, GA can retain its charm--nice for the elected officials to work/live there--then my area deserves to preserve the character and suburban ambience that made it a good place to live for years. 'Town Centers'--yes, if it is like Decatur or Roswell---if it is like Atlantic Station--not only 'No', but 'H', NO!!!!

TakeAhike

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by TakeAhike

By golly, if Decatur, GA can retain its charm--nice for the elected officials to work/live there--then my area deserves to preserve the character and suburban ambience that made it a good place to live for years. 'Town Centers'--yes, if it is like Decatur or Roswell---if it is like Atlantic Station--not only 'No', but 'H', NO!!!!

TakeAhike

Actually, TakeAHike, the city of Decatur has paid a price for wrongheaded development as well:
The complete destruction of its' historic African-American community (The Beacon) to make way for the Allen Wilson housing project.
The destruction of a large part of the courthouse square so that MARTA could be tunneled through it. MARTA could have easily been run along the railroad tracks between downtown and Agnes Scott (at a much lower cost), but there were a handful of Decatur good-old boys (who enjoyed a close personal relationship with those involved in MARTA's planning) that stood to make a fat profit from the condemnation.
Many of Decatur's most beautiful homes on Sycamore were destroyed to make way for MARTA as well. The character of that beautiful street was irretrievably lost.
The 60's and 70's saw a profusion of high density public buildings (and the HIDEOUS parking decks that accompany them, fronting right on major streets). The same period also saw the construction of two unattractive highrises (First National Bank and Decatur Federal buildings) that continue to be a blight on the city.
Decatur is great, but it could have been so much more.

[George Chong]

I think that this thread is a good spot for me to make a shameless plug for one of my favorite local non-profit organizations - Tree's Atlanta.

Trees Atlanta Home

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Actually, TakeAHike, the city of Decatur has paid a price for wrongheaded development as well:
The complete destruction of its' historic African-American community (The Beacon) to make way for the Allen Wilson housing project.
The destruction of a large part of the courthouse square so that MARTA could be tunneled through it. MARTA could have easily been run along the railroad tracks between downtown and Agnes Scott (at a much lower cost), but there were a handful of Decatur good-old boys (who enjoyed a close personal relationship with those involved in MARTA's planning) that stood to make a fat profit from the condemnation.
Many of Decatur's most beautiful homes on Sycamore were destroyed to make way for MARTA as well. The character of that beautiful street was irretrievably lost.
The 60's and 70's saw a profusion of high density public buildings (and the HIDEOUS parking decks that accompany them, fronting right on major streets). The same period also saw the construction of two unattractive highrises (First National Bank and Decatur Federal buildings) that continue to be a blight on the city.
Decatur is great, but it could have been so much more.

Decatur has retained much of its 'Character'--truly some poor decisions have been made all over town --historically. It enrages me--and this little 'Proposal' is just not something I am going to support. cough--There are 'Others' who share my beliefs, that is all I can tell you. I suppose we must endure 'The Process' but at least Sembler isn't breaking ground as we speak--that is something.

'Corruption', yes, when you use a thesaurus--DeKalb County should be listed as a synonym for malfeasance. I think that is the legal term.

Don't get me started--I know 'too much' and thinking about what I know activates my inner 'Norma Rae'/Erin Brockovich. So, I will attend the meeting tonight and Sunday and Monday and hope to hear from those with greater expertise and cooler heads.

'Zip Your Lip' --that is my mantra for today.

We just don't need 'More' of much of anything other than Green Space in this area. And if the developers proceed--from what has already been added it does not seem to me the market is going to support this development--wasted effort all the way around.

'Hold Your Elected Officials Accountable'--so sayeth the Talkmaster and I do try.

TakeAhike

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by TakeAhike

Decatur has retained much of its 'Character'--truly some poor decisions have been made all over town --historically. It enrages me--and this little 'Proposal' is just not something I am going to support. cough--There are 'Others' who share my beliefs, that is all I can tell you. I suppose we must endure 'The Process' but at least Sembler isn't breaking ground as we speak--that is something.

'Corruption', yes, when you use a thesaurus--DeKalb County should be listed as a synonym for malfeasance. I think that is the legal term.

Don't get me started--I know 'too much' and thinking about what I know activates my inner 'Norma Rae'/Erin Brockovich. So, I will attend the meeting tonight and Sunday and Monday and hope to hear from those with greater expertise and cooler heads.

'Zip Your Lip' --that is my mantra for today.

We just don't need 'More' of much of anything other than Green Space in this area. And if the developers proceed--from what has already been added it does not seem to me the market is going to support this development--wasted effort all the way around.

'Hold Your Elected Officials Accountable'--so sayeth the Talkmaster and I do try.

TakeAhike

LOL I'm listening to the 'Talkmaster' as we speak.
I'm so torn...the meeting re: NDH redevelopment and the one regarding the high density redevelopment of the Wachovia building on W Ponce are both scheduled for tonight at 7:30. I suppose I'll be a NIMBY and attend the latter.