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Shade Tree Commission forwards code edits to council to broaden pollinator program, clarify mowing and invasive-species rules
Summary
The Athens Shade Tree Commission voted unanimously to forward proposed municipal code edits to City Council that would let renters apply to the native/pollinator yard program, remove a $25 application fee, require pesticide-warning flags by commercial lawn services, allow some larger vacant lots to remain unmowed and tie the city’s noxious-weed references to the state list.
The Athens Shade Tree Commission voted unanimously to forward a package of proposed municipal code edits to the City Council that would broaden the native/pollinator yard program, change mowing rules for larger vacant lots, require warning flags after pesticide applications by commercial lawn maintenance firms and clarify which invasive-species list the city will use.
The vote to send the draft language to council came after commissioners discussed multiple edits to city code, including changes to Title 41 (development standards) and to the city’s noxious-weed references in Title 9. The commission’s action was a motion to ask Council to consider the changes; a voice vote approved the motion. No numeric roll-call was recorded in the transcript.
The package would allow renters, not only property owners, to apply for the native and pollinator-friendly yard designation and would remove the $25 application fee for that program. Commission discussion also noted a new requirement for commercial lawn maintenance operators to place warning flags after applying pesticides.
Commissioners said the Title 41 edits aim to close a gap in the city’s development rules that can let very small developments avoid landscaping and tree requirements. One commissioner summarized the concern: small lots created under current Title 41 exemptions can “get away from being able to be responsible for any tree or any of the tree requirements that we have,” and the edits would make it clearer that small lots must meet landscaping obligations or contribute to the tree fund if no planting space exists.
On invasive-species policy, commissioners recommended referencing the State Department of Agriculture’s list so the city’s noxious-weed code is tied to an up-to-date state list rather than an internally maintained, unspecified list. A commissioner observed that the state list changes with geography and is updated more regularly than a static local list.
City code staff were asked about next steps. David Riggs, a city code official, said, "Generally, when you make changes to the code, you'd have you'd wanna have a sponsor. So that would be, 1 of the council members," and recommended that the draft be reviewed by the city law director before a council introduction. Commission members agreed to forward the draft to the law director, identified in the meeting only as Lisa, for review. A commissioner offered to work with Council Member David Walker to introduce the item after legal review.
The commission did not set a council hearing date; members said the draft will be sent to the law director for a clean copy and legal review and then to a council sponsor for formal introduction.
The commission’s vote to forward the edits and the prior brief approval of the meeting minutes were the formal actions recorded for this topic.
