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Dawson County OKs environmental ordinance changes, developer objects to tree requirements
Summary
The board approved amendments to Chapter 109 addressing trees, landscaping, buffers, erosion control, watershed management and stormwater after a public hearing in which a local developer opposed the landscaping/tree requirements as costly to builders.
Dawson County commissioners voted 3‑0 on July 16 to adopt amendments to Chapter 109 of the county code covering environmental regulations, including provisions on trees, landscaping, buffers, erosion control, watershed management and stormwater.
Community Development Director Richard Osborne presented the amendments during a public hearing. Michael Turner of Dawsonville testified in opposition specifically to the landscaping and tree requirements, saying the mandate would raise costs for builders: "I have no problem with the watershed, erosion control component of that, but as a developer/builder it costs me money to take those trees out so I don’t want to take any trees out that I don’t have to." Turner added that mandated front‑yard trees could burden customers and represent "wasted effort."
Commissioners did not receive other public speakers on the item and moved to adopt the ordinance changes. The adopted text balances watershed and erosion-control measures with new landscaping requirements; detailed implementation steps will be carried out by Community Development staff.
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