Developers accused of removing huge swaths of local trees

From Staff Reports

HENDERSONVILLE — After hearing concerns expressed by the Hendersonville Tree Board and recommendations from the city’s Tree Ordinance Committee, Hendersonville City Council on March 7 postponed making a decision on tree proposals until its April 4 meeting.

Specifically, council’s decision to delay action — reportedly — was in  response to the widely varied comments voiced during a public hearing at the March 7 meeting.

After the hearing, council asked city staff to work further on the tree project, taking into account public comments and concerns, and to present revised recommendations at the April 4 council meeting.

The recommendations for changes were intended to protect and rebuild the city’s declining tree canopy, which, proponents contended, has been a concern of the city Tree Board in Hendersonville for more than a year. 

To that end, The Tribune Papers, in a report on the March 7 council meeting, stated local tree officials are worried that “the city’s tree canopy is rapidly disappearing as developers remove huge swaths of trees, including many beautiful mature trees, to build housing units and commercial properties. These unsightly clearings are easily visible as one drives throughout Hendersonville.”

The TP story also noted, “Members from the community spoke on the ordinance proposals. Strong opinions in favor of preserving the landscape and character of Western North Carolina were voiced

“However, Chamber of Commerce board member Randy Hunter spoke in opposition to these tree ordinance changes, wanting to give as much encouragement as possible to developers. 

“Others differed. They consider a healthy urban forest a crucial component of life, health, and well-being in Hendersonville. Some said that the standard of the establishment of canopy preservation applying only to lots that exceed 2 acres and 30,000 square feet was too large; topsoil removal, which is allowed with development, was another concern,” the TP story stated, adding, “Another viewer spoke about the permits needed in Asheville, which are more stringent. She also wanted more well-qualified arborists involved in the making of these decisions.”