Urban Forestry Commission

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 18, 2019  7:30 - 9:30 pm Falls Church City Hall, Dogwood Room Present: Dennis Szymanski, Kathy Philpott Costa, David DeCoste, Amy Crumpton, David Braun, Kate Reich, Charles Prince, Dan Sze, Tim Stevens A. Urban Forestry Commission Meeting 1. Approval of September 16 Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the October 16, 2019 meeting were approved. 2. Public Comments: None 3. Staff Updates/ Informational Items  Review Urban Forestry Commission officers and bylaws: Dennis nominated Kathy as Vice Chair and David DeCoste as secretary. The members discussed creating a mockup of an Urban Forestry Commission letterhead that would include all UFC members’ names.  807 Villa Ridge: Kate gave background on the zoning and tree preservation discussion surrounding the redevelopment of this property. The owner’s and arborist’s preference was to not have a pipe stem in order to save the large White Oak tree. The tree’s health has not yet been assessed, so preservation is not a sure thing. The development will be discussed at a third meeting of the Planning Commission, whose members had a lot of questions during the first two meetings. Neighbors’ concerns about both existing and potentially larger stormwater issues are still being discussed.  Rules of Procedure: Charles circulated the Rules of Procedure. They were last updated in 2014. 4. Current Business  Response to November Council/UFC work session on preserving more mature trees during residential development: Kate circulated a draft of UFC responses to questions and issues raised at the Council/UFC work session. She asked for members to provide feedback. 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)   2020 Tree of the Year: Suggestions discussed were the Sweetgum, Wafer Ash, American Basswood, Black Cherry, and Common Hackberry. The UFC will vote on a Tree of the Year at next meeting. Dan suggested offering slighter bigger saplings and sharing the tree with City Council in advance of Arbor Day, to increase interest and awareness.  Subcommittees to work on Future Business items: If subcommittees are formed, a meeting of 3 people will require 3 days’ public notice of public meetings. UFC will not pursue developing subcommittees. Instead, Dennis suggested that, as a common practice, UFC members each take the lead on specific projects or interests. Dennis offered to take the lead on defining structure and content of the Urban Forestry Management Plan, while Kathy expressed interest in helping update City Code provisions related to urban forestry. 5. Future Business  Urban Forest Management Plan – work plan items/outline, development schedule  City Code updates/modifications relating to urban forestry  Future of green space associated with Special Exception projects  Standard private maintenance agreements for streetscapes  Possible urban forestry public outreach projects Urban Forestry Commission 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)