Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Commission Minutes Wednesday, June 17, 2015 v 7:30 - 9:30 pm Dogwood Room, City Hall Present: Larry Dorr, Kate Reich, Kathleen Philpott-Costa, Kate Walker and Dennis Szymanski Guests: Barbara and John Tesner, Chris McGough (Staff Liaison to ESC) Absent: Bob Donaldson, Kwafo Djan, Anna Wilson 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:40pm. 2. Approval of Minutes: May minutes were approved. 3. Public Comments: Larry Dorr welcomed Barbara and John Tesner of Chestnut Street. John has completed his application to be considered for a Tree Commissioner appointment. 4. Old Business — FC urban forestry program updates: Tree Inventory work continues. Ash trees on So. Virginia Ave are in poor condition and will need replacement. Kate Reich suggested Ginko's to replace as they are slow growing and won't need replacement for a long time. — Specimen Tree nominations. The Arborist has six nominations and will submit for review. Dennis made a motion to approve moving forward; Kathleen seconded and the Tree Commission voted to approve. 5. Current Business  Fees for Permits and Violations. Kate Reich presented a revised draft of updated fees related to urban forestry in City Code Section 15-37 and requested comments.  Streetscape Design Standards. We will invite the Planning Director to our next meeting and Kate Reich will follow up with Kwafo Djan regarding a participation in a Planning Commission work session. 6. Plan Reviews  None 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.  7. Informational Items  Status of city capital projects. At the Jessie Thackery School, the handicapped parking issue has been resolved. Kate Reich mentioned that the tennis courts on Cherry Street will have to be made handicapped accessible, something not addressed in the project plan.  Solarize Falls Church. Tim Stevens made a presentation on this program, outlining how it works and the many benefits such as clean energy, not contributing to increasing carbon footprint. He stated that 1/3 of new electric capacity was solar in 2014. The program for free energy audits and site assessments runs out June 30th. Tim allayed potential concerns that the program might result in decreasing tree canopy in Falls Church to accommodate solar. 8. Future Business  No updates to report.  Tree Recognition program  Tree canopy goals and strategies  Code updates/modifications relating to urban forestry  Enforcement of site plan landscape violations 9. Adjourned: 9:50pm 10. Next Meeting: July 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.