Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Commission Agenda Wednesday, January 21, 2015 v 7:30 - 9:30 pm Dogwood Room, City Hall Present: Larry Dorr, Kathleen Philpott Costa, Kate Reich, Christian Autor, Anna Wilson and Dennis Szymanski Guest: None Absent: David Chojnacky, Lindy Hockenberry, Bob Donaldson 1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order by Larry Dorr at 7:30pm. 2. Approval of December Minutes. 3. Public Comments. N/A 4. New Business.  Tree Commission Annual Report. Larry Dorr provided a draft of the TC Chairman's Annual Report to be presented at an upcoming City Council meeting. He encouraged additions and/or substantive comment.  Streetscape design standards. Design Standards and the subheadings "Streetscape Maintenance Agreements with commercial developments and Adherence with adopted, existing streetscape standards" continue to be of concern to the TC Commission. Members of the TC recognize that we must collaborate with other Boards, Commissions, Staff and the Business Community to produce streetscape outcomes that work for all stakeholders.  Canopy cover study. Kate Reich will investigate the ability to pull FCC data out of the recent Fairfax County tree canopy study. Understanding these data is key to understanding and moving forward on tree canopy goals for FCC. At this point, the message of David Chojnacky's FCC tree canopy study is that are being replaced and that, on average, we are meeting our 20% in 10 yr tree canopy goal.  Making public trees part of a standard proffer package. Kathleen Philpot- Costa has provided Council with an email outlining the TC's recommendation for an addition to the work in progress planned Standard Proffer Package. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call (703) 248-5040. TTY 711.  The text of her message is reprinted here: " Dear City Council Members, While we realize work has been ongoing for a standard proffer package for commercial and mixed-use developers, we hope the Council’s Economic Development Committee will nonetheless give this proposal appropriate consideration for the valued asset that the urban forest is to the community. The Tree Commission would like to make an earnest request that the City’s standard proffer package include a category for tree preservation and planting actions, such as improvements to adjacent or nearby streetscape, landscaping or tree canopy, and addition of trees and green space nearby or in the project design. Tree plantings and preservation measures are common development proffers in neighboring counties, but Falls Church City does not currently include these as a distinct and standard request. We appreciate that recent projects have included standard cash proffers for a general “parks and other” category (see chart attached below). However, our proposed proffer would more specifically result in real improvements through tree plantings, preservation and maintenance and would help relieve the impact on the tree canopy from increasing density and traffic. As an example, a proffer to improve nearby streetscape could mean much needed uniform improvements or new plantings over an entire City block. This concept is not intended to encourage a waiver of tree replacement or planting requirements in the City Code. The Tree Commission is working on a tree canopy fund program proposal that will address the specific trees that cannot be replaced in a development project. However, standard proffers of tree canopy improvements in kind would no doubt benefit the surrounding areas affected by mixed-use and commercial projects and reflect the high value that City places on its tree canopy and green spaces. 5. Old Business.  Tree City USA application was sent in late December.  Tree recognition programs. Kathleen Philpot-Costa is continuing research into Code Language to be folded into the ongoing project for a single tree recognition program.  Tree of the Year. The proclamation for the American Holly as Tree of the Year will be posted to the City's website.  Extending the Tree Canopy Fund to commercial developments. Kathleen is researching Virginia State Regulations for application. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call (703) 248-5040. TTY 711.   Streetscape Maintenance Agreements with commercial developments and Adherence with adopted, existing streetscape standards. See above under "New Business."  Falls Church’s Urban Forestry web pages. Kate Reich will provide the Communications Staff with Bob Donaldson's list of specific suggestions for how the Tree Commission and Urban Forestry are displayed on the City Website.  Effectiveness of Falls Church (1) tree permits and (2) licenses. Discussion deferred to February meeting.  Backlog of Commercial Sites with missing landscaping. No updated information.  Falls Church City tree inventory. Kate is continuing to look for a low cost approach for developing and maintaining the inventory. She is currently investigating Smartphone apps; Dennis will pursue possible collaboration with the VPIS Neighborhood Tree Program (NTP).  Plans for improving the mini park on West Broad by the Unity Club. Kate Reich will send TC members a PowerPoint presentation on the planned improvements. 6. Informational Items.  Development project updates. Improvements to West End Park are expected to be completed this Spring. 7. Next Meeting: February 18th 8. Adjourned at 9:30pm. These minutes are respectively submitted by Dennis Szymanski, Tree Commission Secretary. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call (703) 248-5040. TTY 711.