Hendersonville waives tree‑bank fees for qualifying nonprofits; Grace Place referenced for retroactive refund

The Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously on Jan. 13 to authorize a waiver for qualifying nonprofit organizations to avoid paying into the city’s tree bank fund and to provide for repayment where appropriate.

Mayor Robertson explained that Grace Place, a nonprofit building on New Shackle Island Road, recently paid $58,000 into the city’s tree bank after removing trees to develop its site. Several speakers, including Cal Gentry (acting project manager for Grace Place), urged the board to exempt nonprofits that provide broad community services from the fee. Alderman Robertson and other sponsors framed the waiver as recognition that certain nonprofits provide a "greater good" that complements city services.

Alderman Sassy asked whether the resolution would be retroactive for nonprofits that already paid; city staff replied the resolution is written to be effective upon adoption and retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, and that refunding those payments will require appropriation through the midyear budget process. Staff confirmed the ordinance text authorizes repayment, but the appropriation must be made in the finance process before funds are disbursed.

The resolution passed unanimously. Aldermen said the change is meant to preserve the tree canopy policy while acknowledging cases where nonprofit missions deliver direct public benefit and where a strict enforcement of the fee would reduce nonprofit capacity.

What’s next: The finance department will incorporate any required repayment in the midyear budget and publish a process for qualifying organizations to request refunds or waivers.