Peachtree City toughens tree-cutting rules

Anyone who clears, thins or removes trees or vegetation in designated buffers and greenbelts in Peachtree City without written permission and the required permits will now be subject to a minimum $500 fine. On Thursday, the City Council unanimously approved several revisions to the land development ordinance, also specifying that each tree cut in violation of the code will count as a separate citation that would require a court appearance. Planning and Development Director Mike Warrix said 25 percent of the city’s 3,669 acres are city-owned greenbelts, and residents should consult their subdivision plats before cutting because “certain parts of their property may not be their property.”