By Jonathan Copsey; Appen Newspapers
July 14, 2010 MILTON – Just when you thought it was safe to cut down that large tree in your backyard, think again; Milton now has a tree ordinance.
In a lengthy discussion, the council approved the new law that regulates how trees are to be handled on properties. For any tree over 15 inches in diameter, the property owner will need city permission to chop it down.
The ordinance was crafted "to further ensure and preserve our rural characteristic in the city of Milton by retaining as many of our trees as we can," said Lynn Tully, the community development director.
The ordinance, which has been in development since 2008, also provides for the regulation and approval of tree removal companies who would specialize in such matters.
Of particular concern to the council was what constituted a "self-imposed hardship." A hardship is when matters on a property prevent the owner from complying with established law. In such a case, waivers can be issued. A self-imposed hardship is, obviously, a hardship the owner brought upon himself.
Council member Julie Zahner-Bailey raised the question that, with the new ordinance, should there be a large, immovable tree in the middle of the property, does that constitute a hardship if it prevents a new building from going up in that site?
If it does, the property owner could be able to chop down the tree regardless of its status with the city.
The ordinance passed unanimously with added wording detailing hardships.
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28 comments:
Does that include DEAD Trees and ones struck by lightning? This is getting ridiculous to have to ask the city to chop down a tree in your own yard. More government intrusion, next thing you'll have to get a permit to have a picnic in your own back yard.
And just how long is the process and paperwork involved in getting permission from the city to do this? Absurd.
So how about those developers who clear cut property to build subdivisions, is the city going to go after them if a 15 inch diameter tree is where they want to put a house? Oh, that would be a hardship right, but a homeowner who is just sick of looking at an overgrown tree, or a dangerous tree that might fall on their house, they'll be the ones getting the fines, not the developers. Mark Law is the culprit behind this one for sure, over the top tree hugger. the city is invading property rights here. At what point can you purchase property and do what you want with it? I guess never anymore, Big Government, Big Brother has arrived and is going no where.
Liberal ordinance pushed on the council by a liberal tree hugger. What is surprising is the entire council supported it? I guess we have no one on council who believes in the rights of individuals. Didn't realize people were just deforesting Milton. Seems like Law just doens't like the tree companies, and this ordinance is to thwart their business, nice to do to them during a recession and the worst economy since the great depression. Forget about the little guy, the small business owner trying to make a living. Don't do it in Milton, get out of here because the city isn't doing a thing to encourage small business and growth. Now they are attacking the tree companies with this stupid ordinance thanks to Law and his personal distaste for the tree companies who are trying to make a living. What's next, replace all the four board fences with plastic, or make all new fences out of plastic? Why not, let's save the trees!
Time to move to Forsyth county. Milton has nothing to offer but taxes and big government.
Your " big brother" and "big government" in Milton is your Republican City Council !
No way in hel* is the city of Milton going to dictate to me what tree company I use to cut down trees !!
"Incorporated on December 1, 2006, the City of Milton is a distinctive community that embraces small-town life and heritage while preserving and enhancing the city's rural character. The City of Milton is committed to maintaining the unique quality of life for its constituents while efficiently delivering essential services to residents and businesses in an interactive community environment".
Are we really receiving this or are we being fed some bull.
They dictated which garbage services you could use people! Then they moved on to how high they would let your grass grow, etc now this!
They were right "Local control". It meant something totally different to them. Controlling the locals is more like it.
That is not what the people wanted or voted for.
I have some news Milton City Dictatorship.
I will do what I damn well please with my property. You have no say in it.
Throw out this ridiculous
o-ridinance.
I think you all are barking up the wrong tree. Mark Law is doing fine. You are responsibile in part because of who you elect to represent you. Easier to blame others though, isn't it. Have you ever met Matk Law? I realllly don't think he has some agenda, People. OUR city hired him to do a job, this is what he does. This is what anyone does in his position, why don't you get over to a council meeting or better yet find out about all these advisory boards and all, and get involved. It's not like they're not giving us the opportunity. They just ain't gonna listen to the same lame complaints, with no solutions offered, from the same people for the last four years. Stop whining already.... Waaaaa. Do something! Believe me, you really can. It's just that some nasty people with very negative energy are trying to disuade you, their trying to take away your power. Seems to be working, don't it? The City of Milton needs YOU! Not your words, they need action. That requires time. It requires effort. DO Something!
Everytime you are inconvenienced with this tree ordinance just think about the Zahner-Bailey mobile driving around and watch the mmeting video to see her wear everyone out until they came up with these stupid rules!
Bailey has enormous powers and is able to influence all council members to give up and follow her lead and as a result we have all these ridiculous rules....surely you jest.
This ruling is in DIRECT response to all the whining open roaders! "We want to be treated like a neighborhood....". Well welcome to the neighborhood morons - and the new HOA rules that come with it. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. We're all just an extension of Crooked Creek now ladies and gents.
As a side note - have you ever clicked on the little wheel chair icon next to the word verification box - pretty cool!
Most people will agree with her just to get her to shut up and get away from her. Ask Bill.
To the 2:11 poster
I have met Law, and he does not like the tree companies, period. Told me so himself in casual conversation, said something had to be done about them, "verbatim". You don't know what you are talking about again. His job is does not encompass taking away the rights of individuals and property owners. Tim post the actual ordinance so we can take look at this pile of horse poop.
All Council members including the Mayor unanimously supported this crap? 5 Republicans and 2 Democrats on this council, and Karen, Bill, Joe Lockwood, Longoria, and Hewitt are drinking the koolaid.
Milton voters have only themselves to blame. You re-elected Karen Thurman, whose loan company finally got caught selling illegal securities, lying to authorities about being licensed and violating consumer protection laws by targeting soldiers. With these serious infractions, do you really think she cares about your property rights?
Feel sure she's had many restless nights worrying about our property rights.
Karen lives in Atlanta National and doesn't give a hoot about people who live on open roads. Nor do the others, just ask Enloe. And Longoria doesn't give a crap about anyone or anything that doesn't affect his beloved Crooked Creek. Bill doesn't care about anything other than his sign on Redd Road, and Lockwood is looking to move up the ladder and out of this pedunk town, and Julie knows she won't get re-elected and her career is over in Milton politics and elsewhere, and Hewitt will go as well he is a flat liner, and Tart is actually the smart one on council but has been tainted by his association to Julie and will fall in the casualties like D'Aversa did due to association to Bailey. Time to elect all new council members who have ZERO association with anyone on council, their friends, or relatives period. Out with the old, in with the new.
I hope someone will report on the first instance of the tree ordinance causing the grief being described here.
I am sure we are all in danger. Next thing you know the police will start enforcing the speed limit on Bethany Rd.
This A.M. discovered an 18" diameter sweet gum had been downed on my property. Apparently someone with a chain saw, equipped with a silencer, did this, during the night, because I did not hear anything, nor did my dog.
My dilemma is... should the police be notified?
Yes, notify the police because there are 16" pines down all over the city now, mysteriously, no one has heard or seen a thing. Get that police officer who catches all the burglars on the case! Quick!
Now it's going to evolve into your neighbor ratting on you if you cut down a tree on your property! Great idea Mark Law and Council, what a terrific idea to create more harmony in our city. What's next, let's tighten up the noise ordinance so everytime someone has an outdoor party or kids birthday party the neighbors will call the cops for sneezing too loud.
Ahhhhhh - such harmony!!
You people don't get involved but your mouths sure are running about something you do not know anything about. There is a tree ordinance for every city of county. The Milton Tree ordinance was adopted from the FULTON COUNTY TREE ORDINANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yes you read it correctly the FULTON COUNTY TREE ORDINANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This was not a council undertaking. It was a committee of 6 citizens who live in the City of Milton that worked LONG and HARD and put in lots of HOURS working for an ordinance that was equal to both developers and citizens. So read the ordinance first before you get your "panties in a wad" as the old saying goes. If you don't like it go ahead and move to Forsyth., or wherever, but you will have a tree ordinance there also. I'm not sure where you will be able to go. How about a boat in the middle of the ocean!!!!
Is this going to be like the U.S. policy on immigration...on the books but not enforced. If so, everything will be hunky dory.
No ordinance should take away the rights of property owners. Period. Doesn't matter, the United States Government under Obama has managed to just about take everyone's Liberty from all of us, and when their policies kick in in 2012, then everyone will say, OMG What happened, how did we get here? Oh because people you weren't paying attention. They control our Lives, our Pursuit of Happiness, and your Liberty is next. So a little tree ordinance is pimple on your rear end compared to what our Federal Government is doing. And all you Obama lovers out there who voted for him blindly, who have put your head in the sand, not wanting to hear, read, get educated or realizing what your Great Leader is doing, ruining our Country, I hope you wake up soon before it's too late and figure out how you were part of the greatest hoodwink in the history of mankind.
In 1806 Thomas Jefferson said:
"Most bad government results from too much government."
Other cities may have tree ordinances as well. But do they say who can come cut down the trees like Milton is saying?
Guess who is camped in a clump of cottonwood trees,just outside of town?
Basically all tree ordinances say the same thing. This is not taking your rights away. Don't we have bigger concerns out there in this country right now than worrying about the Milton Tree ordinance.
To each his own, right.
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