Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 21st, 2016 v 7:30 – 8:55 pm Dogwood Room, City Hall Present: Dennis Szymanski, Kate Reich, John Tesner, Christian Autor, Karen Jones, Kathy Philpott Costa, Dan Sze 1. Approval of July Minutes: The minutes from the August 24, 2016 meeting were approved. 2. Public Comments: None 3. Old Business: None 4. Current Business  Update on Streetscape Task Force activity: Dan and Kathy updated the TC on the September 13 meeting. The draft standards have been sent to all Boards and Commissions for review. Issues needing input include tree planter specs, plan goals, sidewalk widths, furniture and maintenance. TC is still concerned about the possibility of private maintenance of planters and flush edging. Christian will research the environmental impact of salt alternative calcium manganese acetate, which is thought to be less harmful to plants and less corrosive. The Task Force left decisions on tree species to the arborist, so TC will work with arborist to recommend a tree species pattern. Kathy will consolidate TC comments for discussion at next meeting.  Code updates/modifications relating to urban forestry: Kate summarized the provisions that need TC review and comment. 5. Letter to FC News Press re: street tree protection: Karen has obtained comments from TC members and will submit her article to the Falls Church News- Press. A picture of a healthy tree planter will be included. 6. Plan Reviews  Inns of Virginia, 419/421 West Broad Street: A Broad Street standard planter with bullnose edging has been recommended. Kate asked for the irrigation box The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call (703) 248-5350, option 5. TTY 711.  to be placed outside the planter and potentially in the building. The Fire Marshall has asked for a shorter planter, which is consistent with the Streetscape Task Force’s consensus as well. 7. Informational Items  Fire Official Tom Polera’s memo regarding streetscape: The memo states that shrubs are an obstruction to fire equipment, which the TC acknowledges. It also suggests that planter and raised edging generally are to be avoided as obstructions to fire equipment. However, there is nothing in code requiring no planter or no raised edging; Karen and Dennis will draft a response memo to that effect. 8. Future Business  Tree canopy goals and strategies  Enforcement of site plan landscape violations The meeting was adjourned at 8:55. Staff liaison: Kate Reich, 703-248-5183 kreich@fallschurchva.gov The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call (703) 248-5350, option 5. TTY 711.