Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, July 17, 2019 v 7:30 - 9:30 pm Falls Church City Hall, Dogwood Room Present: Dennis Szymanski, Kathy Philpott Costa, Karen Jones, Kate Reich, Charles Prince, Tim Stevens 1. Approval of June 10 Tree Commission Meeting Minutes: The Tree Commission approved the June 10, 2019 meeting minutes. 2. Public Comments: None 3. Staff Updates/ Informational Items  Tree Commission name change to Urban Forestry Commission: The name change is on the August 12 City Council meeting agenda for a first reading and on the September 3 Planning Commission meeting agenda for a first reading.  West Falls Church Economic Development project/GMHS: City Council approved the general agreement, and utility undergrounding for the school and WFC is already underway (funded by a grant).  Mary Riley Styles Library renovation: City Staff and the TC will suggest an additional tree planter on the Virginia Avenue side across from the entrance, rather than a planter at the corner entrance. The TC will suggest planters with bull-nose (instead of flush) planters. There is a small bio-retention space next to the building on Park Avenue, and the TC will suggest native plants and flowers at street level. TC will also suggest irrigation in all planters.  Natural Resources Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan: The TC reviewed Kate Reich’s proposed changes to the Chapter draft and agreed on further revisions that Kate will input.  Fellows Property: The City has acquired the property. The house will be removed and, temporarily, there will be parking on the house footprint. Other plans are not yet determined, although community gardens are one option.  Leaf scorch treatment on red oaks: City Greenspace staff applied tree growth regulator to trees in the Broad Street Island, S. Cherry Street and Hillwood Avenue. 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 703-248-5030. (TTY 711)   New Tree Inventory program: The City bought a very versatile tree plotter inventory program and imported all of its data. The new inventory will allow the City to input data much more efficiently and manage tree maintenance and health much more easily. 4. Current Business  Possible tree conflicts with future 5G antenna installations: Karen researched 5G and drafted a concept paper proposing how Falls Church can proactively prepare for 5G. Under federal law and FCC regulations, municipalities cannot refuse 5G but can grant or condition (or deny, but only with “substantial evidence”) a siting request within 150 days for new facilities and 90 days for collocations. Karen will add further explanation of 5G’s potential impact on trees, various types of 5G installation technology, and potential stakeholder interests that the City should consider in the site request review process. The memo can be shared with City Council.  Saving mature trees on redevelopment sites – substance for conversation with Council: Kate will research possible methods for saving mature trees, including the City’s flexibility (vis-à-vis the Virginia Code) with zoning, setback and stormwater requirements.  Urban Forest Management Plan – outline/work plan items, development schedule: Kate drafted an outline of a management plan and asked for comments from TC members. 5. Future Business-  Future of green space associated with Special Exception projects  City Code updates/modifications relating to urban forestry  Standard private maintenance agreements for streetscapes The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Staff liaison: Kate Reich, Tree Commission: 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 703-248-5030. (TTY 711)