N.C. legislators proposal would block tree ordinances

State legislators plan to introduce a bill this month that would prohibit local tree ordinances such as Charlottes, igniting immediate protests from tree lovers.

A legislative study commission this week approved draft legislation that says cities and counties cant regulate the removal, replacement and preservation of trees on private property.

Reaction was swift, with critics accusing lawmakers of intruding into community matters and jeopardizing years of work to protect trees. Its just a very sad approach to stripping local authority yet again, said Rick Roti, president of the Charlotte Public Tree Fund, a nonprofit group that has planted 18,000 trees in the past six years.

Its going to upset a great number of people to learn that our legislators again think (theyre ) in a position to make decisions for local officials about how their cities should grow.

The Republican-led legislature, intent on grooming a business-friendly climate, imposed a one-year moratorium last year on local environmental rules that state or federal laws address.

Charlotte officials estimate that 4,000 trees have been cut down since 2012, when legislators allowed billboard companies more leeway to cut vegetation that blocks their signs.

Sen. Andrew Brock, the Davie County Republican who expects to co-sponsor the bill, said its the overreach of local ordinances that have drawn complaints from across the state. Its the pebbles in your shoes that are getting businesses frustrated, he said.

Brock said nursery owners have complained about city officials policing of how trees are planted. A business owner in Fayetteville, he said, was fined for not planting required trees.

He also cited Charlottes $4,700 fine of Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church in 2011 for improperly trimming eight crape myrtle trees on its property, although the city later relented. The issue, Brock said, is whether cities have overstepped their bounds or can come around to something reasonable where cities are not fining churches $4,700 for trimming up their trees. Brock said the purpose of the legislation is to draw attention to the issue, suggesting it could be modified.

Tree ordinances are often controversial, especially among developers and builders who view them as impediments. Officials of Charlottes Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition, or REBIC, couldnt be reached Friday afternoon.

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N.C. legislators proposal would block tree ordinances