Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 18, 2019  7:30 - 9:30 pm Falls Church City Hall, Dogwood Room Present: Barbara Tesner, John Tesner, Kathy Philpott Costa, Kate Reich, Charles Prince, Tim Stevens, Dan Sze, Kristin Hornbuckle, Amy Crumpton, Peter Markham, David Braun. 1. Approval of August 21 Tree Commission Meeting Minutes: The TC approved the minutes for the August 21, 2019 meeting. 2. Public Comments: 3. Staff Updates/ Informational Items:  Columbia Baptist Church will create a new playground where the driveway from Maple currently is. The church was concerned about the TC’s recommendation for more green around the playground. They need a certain amount of total space and certain space around the equipment for the number of children in their program. As a compromise, the church will plant three trees in the playground area where they can make them work in compliance with their preschool regulations. There will be a large rain garden between the new driveway and the houses on Maple Street. Kate is still asking for an adequate watering plan; currently there is one spigot on the rain garden side of the church. Remaining discussion centered on the planting strip under along Washington and whether the church should be required to comply now or later with the streetscape guidelines.  Volunteer engagement: Charles is working with Amy Crumpton to start a program that would engage citizens to add data to the new tree inventory database. The ultimate goal would be an online link for citizens to enter the trees on their private property into the system. 4. Current Business  Urban Forest Management Plan – work plan items/outline, development schedule: Kate is planning to divide the UFMP into three main parts: (1) a Program and Work document that will describe what the City Arborist’s office does and what it tracks and reports on every year or more (trees planted and available spaces, forest health, canopy cover, public support, and administration and funding); (2) a 5-year Tree Management Plan 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)  that will focus on the benefits of mature trees, set out effective maintenance methods for mature trees, and recommend preventative care for juvenile trees; and (3) a Tree Technical Manual that will be aimed at developers, the public, tree maintenance companies and will have the City’s Codes, policies, standards/specifications for planting and pruning, standard operating procedures, and fees.  Strategies for preserving more mature trees during residential development: Kate had several suggestions to start the discussion. She proposed that the City (1) involve developers and City planners in the overall discussion, (2) allow a simpler process to vary setbacks when it would protect a mature tree, and (3) increase the canopy bonus credits for protecting mature trees (and/or reduce credits for new plantings). Additional suggestions included (1) updating City Code to grant more canopy bonus for trees that are not on the City’s over-planted list, (2) working with regional partners to coordinate policies and advocate at the state level for increased flexibility in stormwater management, and (3) working with Stormwater staff to leverage mature trees in stormwater management and discuss stormwater fee credits. It will be important to find a balance between increased stormwater infrastructure requirements onsite (offsite credits are no longer permitted) and tree planting space. 5. Future Business  VPIS urban forestry concerns  Possible tree conflicts with future 5G antenna installations  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 9:25. 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 703-248-5030. (TTY 711)