Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 21, 2017 v 7:30 - 9:30 pm Dogwood Room, City Hall Present: Dennis Szymanski, Kathy Philpott Costa, John Tesner, Barbara Tesner, Karen Jones, Kate Walker, Dan Sze, Tim Stevens, Julie Harrison, Carly Aubrey Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. 1. Approval of May Minutes: The minutes from the May 17, 2017 joint Tree Commission- Environmental Sustainability Council meeting were approved. 2. Public Comments: Julie Harrison stated that she lives adjacent to Railroad Avenue, where the current cottage housing project is currently proposed. The neighbors have identified about 20 trees around the perimeter of the subject property that are healthy, and Ms. Harrison requested that the Tree Commission recommend saving such trees. Of particular note are a few large black walnuts. The relative ordinance may not directly address this issue, but the Tree Commission will address these in a memo regarding voluntary concessions. 3. Staff Updates: 4. Current Business  George Mason campus redevelopment project Feedback from June 5th Town Hall, and June 12 information session: Kathy provided an update on the different proposed design plans. Dan mentioned the cost concerns as well as the potential trade off between parking and green spaces. The TC co- authored a memorandum (attached as Exhibit 1) with the ESC regarding environmentally sustainable development of the high school.  Possible Mixed-Use Voluntary Concession: offset for trees/green space lost: See Insight development project below 5. Plan Reviews  Broad & Washington – Insight development project: Dennis provided a draft memo tp the City Council, City Manager and Planning Commission proposing a 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.  voluntary concession of $20,000 for open space improvements in a nearby watershed. The Tree Commission revised the memo and approved it for submission (Exhibit 2).  Railroad Cottages project – B&C Comments due June 23. The Tree Commission approved the attached memo with the TC’s recommendations (Exhibit 3).  Founder’s Row project: No update  116 Great Falls/Columbia Baptist Church subdivision: The TC discussed questions of tree loss and replacement along the proposed Maple Ave. sidewalk, as well as questions regarding current landscaping compliance by Columbia Baptist Church. The TC will submit a memo to City Council for first reading addressing these questions (Exhibit 4). 6. Informational Items: The City has begun a curbside compost collection program that is very competitively priced. Acting staff liaison: Kate Walker, 703-248-5297, kwalker@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.