Politics & Government

Decatur Commission To Consider Fine For Damage To Two Trees

The board will also vote on whether to give the city manager a new contract.

Decatur City Commission members will consider the differing opinions of two arborists Tuesday night when they decide whether to fine builders $6,325 for tree damage at a construction site.

The commission is also scheduled to vote on a new, two-year contract for City Manager Peggy Merriss. She would be paid $154,500 base salary -- a raise from the current $147,000 -- with $22,500 in retirement contributions.

Artisan Home Crafters is appealing the fine imposed for two damaged oak trees at 324 Mead Road, where a single-family home is being built.

Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estateswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At the city's suggestion, the builders hired a certified arborist from Arborguard, David Dechant. He inspected the trees and decided one was decaying and dying before construction began, probably from sidewalk and underground utilities. The other tree would not withstand future utility placement, Dechant said.

The builders said they needed to remove both trees and submitted a revised site plan to the city.

Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estateswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But Decatur city arborist Ed Macie had inspected the trees before construction and judged them in fair to good condition. He conducted an inspection later and found the larger tree in such bad shape from what he considered construction-related stress that he recommended removal.

Macie recommended the fine, which city Development Director Amanda Thompson upheld. The developers are appealing to city council.


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