Project may put old tree on chopping block

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Project may put old tree on chopping block

By APRIL HUNT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/24/08

Avondale Estates' answer to the $68 million question: The tree most likely will have to go.

The tree is a water oak, estimated to be 80 to 100 years old, near the intersection of North Avondale Road and Oak Street. It is scheduled to be cut down to make way for a retail project that city officials hope will be the beginning of a downtown makeover.

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The developer, Century Retail, says its plan to bring condos, shops and a Publix store to the four-block area won't work if they can't cut down the tree to make room for a parking deck.

But nearly three dozen residents tried Wednesday night to convince city commissioners to demand that the oak be saved before they approve the final development deal.

"They've sunk so much money into this, if somebody had the guts to say to them, 'The tree stays,' they aren't going anywhere," said James Gelin, who went to the commission work session to argue for the city to save the tree.

The City Commission is split. Commissioners Lyda Steadman and Sandra Varian talked of finding ways to save the tree, while commissioners Michael Payne and David Milliron have argued for the development.

With Mayor Ed Rieker weighing both sides and not committing to either, the draft of the development agreement will go to developers today — without a clause to save the tree.

"I am not hearing a consensus to change the development agreement at this time," Rieker said.

The city's Downtown Development Authority, tree board and City Manager Clai Brown all recently have recommended that the council move ahead on the development deal — without the tree.

"If you put everything on the table, and put the sentimental aside, the tree needs to go," Brown said, citing two reports from arborists who inspected the tree and said it is unhealthy and needs to come down, regardless of development.

But the tree's protectors say a retired arborist they asked to examine the tree came to the opposite conclusion. While many water oaks begin to decline at about 80, they say the Avondale tree shows no signs of problems.

Preserving the tree would, at a minimum, force the redesign of a project more than two years in the making. That would disrupt the timeline of a July 2009 opening of the boutique grocery store, because the development agreement must be done this summer so DeKalb County can begin issuing the necessary permits.

That could cost Avondale hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees. The city raised property taxes 5 percent this year, though officials said then they hoped the project would help them keep rates stable next year.

Any delay also could transform the look of downtown. Even if the tree stays, the business it stands in front of is moving.

Peachtree Credit Union will close in the next 45 days. So will Avondale Pizza Cafe and Finders Keepers consignment shop. All are relocating as part of the redevelopment.

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Comments

By awm

Jul 31, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

Developers always take the easy route. Why would they try to save a tree when it is easier to start with a clean slate?

By Tim

Jul 31, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

Several years ago an associate commented to me that he had heard that Atlanta was being called "The City of Trees". Flying into Hartsfield people are amazed at the canopy of trees below them for such a big city. (a canopy that is rapidly dwindling) Look at this tree as an example folks. Atlanta does sit within some beautiful geographic setting such as on the side of the ocean or a mountain. It does not have a river running through the middle of the central core. The only thing it really has going for it is its trees. Without the trees, the city would just be an ugly wasteland. Look around. The beautiful trees surrounding all of us is what gives the city its special charachter.

By Will

Jul 30, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

I'm not a tree hugger, however have we had enough building in this DeKalb County and it's cities? I mean they have started clearing another tract of wooded area on Covington Hwy.

There are mortgage crises all around, but yet developers keep building subdivision, houses, etc. Our roads, streets and highways are as crowded as they can ever be, but the developers keep on building.

We need a very substantial amount of green space. Trees and vegetation help balance the atmosphere and the temperature of the surrounding area. No wonder we have severe lack of air quality days or months, and it makes the air dangerous for anyone to breathe.

QUIT WITH THE BUILDING AND DESTROYING OF OUR GREEN SPACE WOODED AREAS ALREADY!!!

By Benevolus

Jul 29, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

That water oak isn't 80 to a 100 years old. I hate to see trees cut down, so it would be great if it could be saved and incorporated into the new design, but if not, cut it down and plant some more. One of the benefits of having more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is that trees grow back faster!

By Rick

Jul 29, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

Its interesting that the two commissioners who want the tree saved are women and the two that want it chopped down are men. I'm starting to see, that despite all historic claims of patriarchal superiority (particularly via religion), that women are actually much more evolved than men. Much more than we've ever been led to believe.

By DecaturDog

Jul 28, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

I agree with gwarfan....

this tree hugging frenzy in our city has gotten out of control.

By Grampus

Jul 27, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Avonadale's only hope for survival is to be merged with Decatur where the liberal elitists are tempered by a little bit of capitalist common sense.

By JA

Jul 27, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

I don't think that developers or governmental (city or county) agencies want to keep green space or trees. This happened in Stone Mountain, where the Magnolia Tea Room was and the City as well as the Preservation Commission let the new owners cut down the historic oak trees for a parking lot. There are other ways to put in parking (under ground but more costly) and also does Avondale need a Publix or more stores, that is something to think about. When developers built parking lots they don't put any trees in but a few. The designs are laid out wrong because they want more parking spaces, but in doing so eliminate the areas for tree planting. Take a good look around DeKalb County and the cities, there are empty stores everywhere and why does building a Mall going to help the downtown area of Avondale. The City Government of Avondale needs to get its priorities straight and listen to the people.

By Jogger

Jul 25, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

I think the tree could be saved. Why don't you build around it. You see it all the time- trees in the middle of a parking lot/deck or even a sidewalk. Get some of the environmentalist planners out there to on something. The tree is gorgeous.

By TC

Jul 25, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Yes, its very easy to "be creative" with someone else's money isn't it? I have a better idea: all of you obsessing over this tree should pool your money together to pay for it to be relocated. You seem convinced the two arborists who pronounced the tree in bad health are either liers or incompetent, so surely its strong enough to live through a relocation. Somehow, I doubt you'll find this proposal appealing though, because it doesn't involve placing demands on how others should spend their money.

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