Gwinnett Commission Candidate Proposes
Stronger Tree Ordinance

April 21, 2004 - Gwinnett County Commission Candidate Mike Beaudreau said today that, if elected, he would immediately propose changes that would strengthen the county's Buffer, Landscape, and Tree ordinance. The tree ordinance is designed to preserve green space in the county by requiring tree preservation or replacement when land is cleared for development.

"As Gwinnett County continues to grow, citizens are losing large amounts of the tree canopy to development," the candidate said. "While the current ordinance requires replacement of trees cleared for new development, it does not sufficiently address the need to preserve the trees we already have, and provide for additional trees in newly developed areas".

For example, the current tree ordinance allows developers of residential lots and subdivisions to clear the entire subdivision of existing trees, and comply with the ordinance by planting two new trees, two inches in diameter, per lot. This loophole allows them to bypass creation of a Tree Preservation Plan that promotes the maintenance of the existing tree canopy.

Beaudreau noted, "In many new residential subdivisions, the entire site is graded prior to construction, and the two new trees per lot planted to meet the current ordinance requirements can take decades to grow to maturity. By requiring the preservation of specimen trees, we can maintain the quality of life we've grown used to in the county".

Beaudreau pointed out that Forsyth County recently passed a stronger tree ordinance that requires 20 tree units per acre in residential zonings, compared to Gwinnett's 16, encourages the preservation of existing trees over 16 inches in diameter, and requires developers to plant trees in areas, such as pastures, that did not have trees prior to being developed.

About Mike Beaudreau

Mike Beaudreau is a National Accounts Manager for Ricoh Corporation, and has been a Gwinnett County resident for the past five years. He is past president of his homeowner's association, and served as second vice chairman of the Gwinnett Republican party. He graduated from Clemson University in 1997, and has completed additional studies at Georgetown University. He and his wife Tegwen live in the Grayson/Lawrenceville area of the county.

For further information on the Beaudreau for Commissioner campaign, visit www.mikebeaudreau.com or call 770-466-3504

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