Developers seek to weaken tree ordinance; Charlotte, NC; 2/20/09

Developers try to trim city’s plans for tree rules Charlotte Business Journal - Charlotte,NC,USA
Charlotte’s tree ordinance, adopted in 1978, aims to protect the city’s dwindling tree canopy.
The most current data from the city shows that Mecklenburg County lost 22% of its tree cover from 1984 to 2001.
But Charlotte’s real estate industry is trying to water down the city’s tree-preservation effort.
Major changes to the ordinance — three years in the making — were scheduled to go to City Council next month. But facing a steep development downturn, the industry is lobbying behind the scenes to get the new provisions trimmed.