Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Commission Meeting Wednesday, September 17, 2014 v 7:30 - 10:00 pm Oak Room, City Hall Present: Larry Dorr, David Chojnacky, Bob Donaldson, Kathleen Philpott Costa, Karen Oliver, Kate Sutalo and Dennis Szymanski Guest: None Absent: Lindy Hockenberry 1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm. 2. Public Comments. None 3. New Business. As a member of the VPIS Board, Dennis Szymanski provided an overview of VPIS efforts to update its catalog of notable trees, last updated in 1990, and the VPIS interest in pursuing a public-private partnership for notable trees along the lines of the Neighborhood Tree Program (NTP). 4. Old Business.  Proposed new Streetscape Maintenance Agreements with commercial developments. The Tree Commission continues to be concerned over the lack of a standardized look and feel for commercial developments. A letter, attached, has been discussed with the City Manager and subsequently delivered to Council and Members of the Planning Commission outlining specific concerns for the removal of a raised guard around tree beds for the West Broad St Streetscape. The specific instance is the Kensington streetscape as removal could result in greater harm to the trees from sidewalk traffic and street and snow cleaning materials.  Tree Commission-related links and/or changes to the FC web site. This continues to be a work in progress. Kate Sutalo will circulate Approved Tree List for concurrence and posting. She will also post the updated list of Falls Church Trees of the Year. 1   Problems with existing Commercial Landscaping Agreements. Kate Sutalo is following up on site plan violations for existing agreements including the CITGO site on West Broad St.  Specimen Tree acknowledgment letters. Staff has been provided the most current DRAFT nomination form and tracking procedures. 5. Informational Items  Coe Branch & Pearson Branch stream restoration updates. The project is behind schedule and will likely miss the Fall planting window. Kate Sutalo may suggest hydro seeding as a temporary vegetative fix until Spring 2015 planting.  Upcoming projects: - Kensington. Kate Sutalo apprised the Tree Commission that the storm sewer on Lee St. will negatively impact the ability to plant trees in the ROW. We also discussed the possible creation of a Commercial Tree Canopy Fund, something the Tree Commission has supported for some time. Kathy Philpot t-Costa will engage Nader Baroukh of the Economic Development Committee on the subject of possible standard proffer packages and the possible of including a Tree Canopy Fund. - Broad & West (Mason Row). At this point in the project, the Arborist is providing general guidance in comments to developer, including compliance with the West Broad St. Streetscape throughout; and the maintenance of buffers. - Thomas Jefferson School. NTP trees to be planted this Fall proximal to the back if the school 5. Next Meeting: October 15th 6. Approval of Minutes: August minutes were approved. 7. Adjourned at 9:50pm. These minutes are respectively submitted by Dennis Szymanski, Tree Commission Secretary. 2