Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Commission Minutes Wednesday, April 15, 2015 v 7:30 - 9:30 pm Dogwood Room, City Hall Present: Kathleen Philpott Costa, Kate Reich, Kwafo Djan, Christian Autor, and Dennis Szymanski Guest: None Absent: Larry Dorr, Bob Donaldson, Anna Wilson 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm. 2. Approval of Minutes: March minutes were approved. 3. Public Comments: None 4. Old Business  Arbor Day. Kate Reich has managed the logistics including obtaining an alternate meeting space in the event of inclement weather.  Streetscape design standards. No update, we will however circulate the 1987 Streetscape standards document for review.  Tree inventory. This is Intern Kate Walker's last week. She has been testing the app which allows for real time updating. Kate is hoping to get all street trees into the data base before her time is up. Kate has done some very good work and the members all thank her for the contributions.  VPIS "Five Environmental Goals". VPIS is updating its "Five Environmental Goals for Falls Church" document. Last updated in 2009, the publication includes a tree canopy goal and the Tree Commission has endorsed this goal as follows: "The Tree Commission thanks VPIS for recognizing tree canopy as an important environmental indicator and for continuing to support the need for a strong urban forestry program in Falls Church. The Tree Commission supports this goal and the report."  Mason Row. The Tree Commission sent a memo to Members of Council, the Planning Commission and the City Manager. The memo is attached. 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.  5. Current Business  City of Falls Church urban forestry web pages update. The Arborist reported that web updates should be completed by April 24th.  Draft West Broad Street Small Area Plan. Each SAP seems to call for individualized design thus eliminating any chance of Falls Church City having a standard look and feel to its streetscape. The Tree Commission's primary concern at this point is how to promote a consistent streetscape. For this project, it would be a standard on Broad St that extends to Park Ave.  Streetscape Design. Kwafo Djan will pursue a meeting for the Tree Commission with the Planning Director in an effort to address this topic in a more coordinated approach. 6. Informational Items  Status of other city capital projects. West End Park nearing completion and the Coe Branch Restoration has seen new trees planted near the Scout House, thus resolving a tree planting-related issue with the Scouts. 7. Future Business  Tree Recognition program  Tree canopy goals and strategies  Code updates/modifications relating to urban forestry  Enforcement of site plan landscape violations 8. Adjourned: 9:30pm 9. Next Meeting: May 20, 15th 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. MEMORANDUM DATE: April 17, 2015 TO: City of Falls Church Council City of Falls Church Planning Commission FROM:Chairman, Tree Commission SUBJ: Proposed Broad and West Street Development (Mason Row) As this project continues to be refined, the Tree Commission believes this is an appropriate time to apprise the leadership of Falls Church City of the urban forestry issues we feel bear your considerable attention. 1. The West Broad Street Streetscape standard is the only well-researched, publicly agreed-upon streetscape standard. While the improved regulatory standard for a 20-foot setback should apply on Broad and West Streets, the developer should otherwise adhere to the sidewalk design, planter design and other aspects of the West Broad Streetscape Plan until such time as they are amended/updated. 2. The Market Square area of the project is the only substantial greenspace for the project and plantings should be protected from pedestrian and other traffic. 3. Tree planting areas on Park Avenue, if next to a parking lane, should be designed in such a way that roots are protected from foot traffic. 4. The project should explore the viability of planting shrubs on the east edge of the property, since the trees required for screening cannot be planted on top of the storm sewer. And, 5. Plantings on West Street should be complimentary to sight lines for both West Street and the bike path and mindful of Dominion Power restrictions. I appreciate your attention and consideration to the above and the Tree Commission is available should you have questions or comments. As always, we appreciate the participation and interest of the citizens of Falls Church in maintain our urban forest and the benefits it brings to the City. Regards, /s/Larry Dorr Chairman, Tree Commission cc: City Manager 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 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.