Urban Forestry Commission

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, July15, 2020 ❖ 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Virtual Meeting: NOTICE: This virtual meeting of the Urban Forestry Commission was held pursuant to and in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.2-3708.2 and state and local legislation adopted to allow for continued government operation during the COVID-19 declared emergency. All participating members of the Urban Forestry Commission were present at this meeting through electronic means. All members of the public may view this video of this meeting on the City’s website at www.fallschurchva.gov/UFC Attendees UFC: Dennis Szymanski, Kathy Philpott Costa, David DeCoste, David Braun, Amy Crumpton UFC City Staff Liaisons: Charles Prince City Staff: Cindy Mester, Carly Aubrey, Kate Walker City Council Liaison: Ross Litkenhous (unavailable) Members of the Public: Amy Friedlander, Ben Schitter, Brian Tomaino, Jeff Stuchel, Kate Reich, Laura Schonfeld, Murphy Antoine, Gabriela Canamar Clark, Kathy ?, Meeting Minutes and Supporting Documents (linked) 1. Approval of May Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes - minutes were approved. 2. Public Comments - no public comments 3. Staff Updates / Informational Items a. Falls Church Gateway Partners West End Economic Development: Presentation from The Developer – Landscape Overview i. Carly Aubrey - principal planner for the City of Falls Church- introduced the presenters for the West Falls SESP Design Presentation - July 2020. The City is seeking feedback from commissions by July 31, 2020. It is anticipated that there will be a second round of reviews from the commissions once all feedback has been received and discussed by City Council. ii. Laura Schonfeld began the presentation with an overview on the commons area. She emphasized the project’s guiding principles: 1. Historical and Spirited 2. Eclectic and Refined 3. Social and Interactive 4. Sustainable  iii. Gabriela Canamar Clark, (landscape architect) focused on the landscape design. The walkway through commons drive will be permeable. She identified the bioretention areas and in response to a question, it was noted that they are above ground. In other areas where bioretention is located, they will be underground but will not impede or be near tree roots. The tree canopy cover calculations are at 18.7% which exceeds the minimum 15%. iv. Amy Friedlander discussed the exterior facade. She pointed out the different appearances to show the historical and modern tone of Falls Church. v. Laura Schonfeld reviewed the office building design and layout, the hotel and retail stores. vi. It was mentioned that the shared parking structure wall facing the high school may have student art designs or educational messages. vii. Tree Canopy cover calculations notes and assumptions include: Tree Canopy Target of 18.7% of tree canopy coverage (3.7% above the 15% minimum). A 10% bonus of tree diversity will be pursued. viii. The trees are set back on streets A and B. Sidewalks are 10’ with roughly 5’ allowance for trees on both sides. Recommend that oaks be used along the sidewalk because they provide a good canopy coverage and grow straight so as to not impede the sidewalk. ix. Gabriela will get back to the UFC regarding the questions of a continuous trench for the trees along Leesburg Pike and Haycock. Charles Prince noted that longer edge planters will be used in the project. x. The plant list is still under development, but it will use a combination of native and naturalized trees and plants. The trees will be acquired from a source that is located within the same agricultural zone, but at this point it still hasn’t been determined. A request has been made for the UFC to see that information once a supplier has been identified. xi. The irrigation system for the trees and plantings is still being developed. Gabriela explained that a landscape management guidance document on how to care for the trees and plantings over the long term will be provided to the corporate owners of the development. Charles noted that the City arborist has a lot of say in holding the businesses to their end of the bargain in maintaining the trees, plantings, and green space. xii. After the presentation, the UFC discussed if considerations are being made for pets. Amy noted that in a previous presentation on the project, a number of pet relief stations at the corners of several buildings are planned. These would be similar to the areas found in urban hotel situations, but are not pet runs. This led to a discussion of how to encourage more green space in general in the project as the commons plaza will be mostly paved and the need for green space is acute on that end of the City. The UFC also noted that we would like more clarification on how the developer is arriving at 18.7% canopy cover. Are they adding in the street trees along the NE side of Mustang Alley (beyond the property line) and/or do the additional trees on Streets A & B cover the increase from 12% to 18.7? b. GMHS Landscape Amendment Update  i. According to the latest plans, it appears as if some of the plants have been moved to Mustang Alley from the rain garden areas. ii. The UFC effort to request wheel stops is not being accepted by the school. c. West End Small Area Plan v4: BC Comment Response & Staff Comment Response i. This topic raised the discussion around soil quality. Has there been any assessment of the soil conditions? Are there plans for it in the Gordon Road area? ii. Currently the Small Area Plan draft includes a strategy to set aside 10% of a site that is 5 acres or more for open space to include plantings and trees. Responding to emailed questions about tree canopy, City staff has agreed to include a strategy to encourage 15% tree canopy on developments 5 acres or larger. The UFC is recommending that we ask for these same open space and tree canopy percentages to apply on all commercial or mixed use developments - not limiting these guidelines to properties with 5 acres are more. iii. In the May presentation to UFC, City planner Shaina Schaffer reassured the UFC that the Property Yard equipment and Public Works staff would remain in the Gordon Road area and the facilities would be redesigned as state of the art projects. d. Southgate II – Planting Plan i. There are two properties which are being rezoned. 4. Current Business - UFC members were asked to review the document requesting updates to the City Code and Management Plan. 5. Future Business -Trees and Thomas Jefferson Elementary and school properties in general were discussed. How can the UFC aid the school system in supporting those trees, especially the ones in “gray” areas like the ones behind TJ and in Herman park. Is it necessary for the arborist (and/or DPR or City in general) to seek a formal agreement with the FCCPS on the management of such spaces so that there is clear responsibility to develop sustainable planting plans and enhance tree selection and diversity? 6. Adjourn Urban Forestry - the meeting was adjourned at 9:45pm. Urban Forestry Commission Staff liaison: Charles Prince: 571-238-6306, arborist@fallschurchva.gov.