Tree & Landscape Board

Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board City of College Park Virtual Meeting October 19, 2022, 7:00PM Term Exp. Members Present Absent Staff Brenda Alexander, Public Works Assistant Director 06/30/2022 John Lea-Cox, City Forester 06/30/2023 Christine O’Brien, Chair 06/30/2021 Todd Reitzel, member 06/30/2024 John Horowitz, member Emily Friend, member CBE representative ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Present: Terry Schum, Planning Director Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Ms. O’Brien called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Agenda: The agenda for the October 19, 2022, meeting was reviewed. Motion: Motion to approve the agenda as presented. Moved: Dr. Lea-Cox Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 2. Approval of September Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the meeting minutes of the September 21, 2022, meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Motion: Accept September meeting minutes as amended. Moved: Dr. Lea-Cox Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights:  This Saturday October 22nd will be the final Fall clean up at Public Works. The yard will be open for drop-off of various materials and compost and mulch will also be available for pick up.  Pepco is starting tree work on a transmission line that runs through Knox Road in Lord Calvert Manor running through Guilford Drive in Rhode Island Avenue in Old Town and along the Trolley Trail up to Greenbelt Road. The work will be mostly pruning, and 8 trees will be removed.  A new maintenance worker started, and the new Arborist is scheduled to start on Monday October 24th. 4. CBE Report: No report provided. 5. Approval of Change to Meeting Agenda Motion: Motion to move item d - Paint Branch Preserve project up on the agenda. Moved: Ms. Friend Second: Mr. Reitzel Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 6. Old Business a. Paint Branch Preserve North & South and Route 1 projects Paint Branch Preserve is a new project that is not in the official pipeline yet. A pre-application neighborhood meeting was held at the end of August. The project is still a proposed project and has not been submitted to Park & Planning. Ms. Schum informed the Board new projects are posted on the City’s website under the Planning Department. Another proposed project discussed is redevelopment of the BP gas station at the intersection of Cherry Hill Road and Route 1, which includes a proposal for a small apartment building. There is another proposal to sell the College Park carwash and develop more student housing. RST Development put under contract the 3 motels on Route 1, Howard Johnson, Days Inn, and Red Roof for a proposed affordable housing project. A project is planned to be proposed on Campus Drive with the surface parking lot and was awarded to the Terrapin Development company. An application was filed to utilize the piano store building as an auto body and paint shop. The City met with the company and informed them that auto body and painting in the current zoning is not a permitted use and the City is working to have the application withdrawn. b. Fall Tree Giveaway Held on October 1st 114 residents requested trees and 219 trees were ordered. There are 9 trees remaining and are available if Board members would like a tree.  c. Tree Permitting Application Updates Ms. Alexander stated that applications are received every day, mostly for dead trees and there are 8 applications that need to be reviewed. Ms. Alexander denied the permit application for the tree that was discussed at the last meeting. d. Vine Removal Workshop – October 29th The registration is through Eventbrite and there is a max of 30 people. The workshop is posted on the City’s website and is also listed in the weekly bulletin. e. Municipal Scene Article for October – due October 25th The November article will be “Leave the Leaves”. 7. New Business a. Urban Master Plan – The new City Arborist will initiate a RFP for an urban master plan and a tree canopy assessment. b. Annual Report – the Board will review last year’s plan and develop new goals for next year. There was discussion about continuing the free tree giveaway as well as investigating the contracted tree replacement on private property. 8. Next Meeting Date The next meeting is scheduled on November 16, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. 9. Adjourn Dr. Lea-Cox motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Mr. Reitzel. All members in favor, no opposed. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.