Atlanta Council exempts some city infrastructure from parts of tree-protection rules, adds sunset and replanting limits

The Atlanta City Council on Monday adopted ordinance 25‑O‑01129 as amended, temporarily exempting some city-managed public infrastructure projects from parts of the city's Tree Protection Ordinance (TPO) while retaining requirements that the city replant or pay recompense for trees removed.

The measure, introduced through the Finance and Executive Committee and finalized in committee, applies to public works administered by the Department of Watershed Management, Atlanta Department of Transportation, Department of Enterprise Asset Management, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and PATH Foundation. The council voted 13‑0 to adopt the ordinance as amended and later voted to transmit the legislation to the mayor's office posthaste by the same margin.

Council members and advocates said the exemption aims to keep long-delayed public works and federally funded projects from stalling while the council finalizes a revised tree-protection ordinance. But advocates for canopy protection warned the change reduces protections and urged a prompt return to stronger rules.

Councilmember Marcy Collier Overstreet, one of the lead…