Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 16, 2016  7:30 - 9:35 pm Dogwood Room, City Hall Present: Dennis Szymanski, Kathy Philpott Costa, Karen Jones, John Tesner, Kate Reich 1. Approval of October Minutes and decision on December meeting: The minutes from the meeting on October 19, 2016 were approved. The Tree Commission members voted to cancel the December meeting due to low attendance. 2. Public Comments: None 3. Old Business: None 4. Current Business  Update on Streetscape Task Force activity: Dennis gave a report on the most recent TF meeting. Each TF member summarized his/her board’s or commission’s comments on the draft Streetscape Standards. The TF members agreed that no more than 50% of the amenity zones between planters should be occupied. It was also confirmed that the City has a policy of requiring a 10-foot unobstructed pedestrian space, although the TF is still discussing overall sidewalk widths. Also still in discussion are planter edging, private owner maintenance of planters, draft changes to the zoning ordinance for minimum setbacks, City branding, and vision. The TF appears to be leaning toward flush planters, and the TC will continue to emphasize its position that raised edging and building setbacks greater than 20 feet are important to street tree health and maintenance.  Code updates/modifications relating to urban forestry: Discussion on this topic was postponed until the next meeting. 5. Plan Reviews  Mason Row: While still set to be circulated to boards & commissions, the site plan was available for review. The TC members agreed to provide the following comments to the developer: (1) the project should include a dog area for public 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.  and tree planter health; (2) trees were removed in the central alley and should be replaced, particularly on the Market Square side (planters with grates would be appropriate for this high-traffic area); (3) more trees and plantings -- perhaps in raised planters that would offer seating -- should be added to the Market Square, as it is disappointing that this project, like most special exception projects, is providing less interior green space than the minimum required for by- right buildings under the City Code; (4) planter length and numbers of trees per planter should be varied along Broad Street to promote attractiveness and tree canopy health; (5) to promote a healthy canopy area, the plantings across West Street on the W&OD should be widened beyond the 6-foot strip shown on the plan; (6) to promote straight and optimal large street tree growth, the building setback on Broad and West Streets should be more than 20 feet (up to 30 ft).  Inns of Virginia: The developer incorporated the arborist’s comments regarding a long planter with a single tree and bull-nosed planter edging. 6. Informational Items: None 7. Future Business  Tree canopy goals and strategies  Enforcement of site plan landscape violations  Update to Chapter 5 of the Comprehensive Plan: Environment The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. 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.