Urban Forestry Commission

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 19, 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 Council Liaison: Ross Litkenhous City Staff: Members of the Public: Kate Reich Meeting Minutes and Supporting Documents (linked) 1. Approval of July Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes - Minutes were approved. 2. Public Comments - No public comments. 3. Staff Updates/ Informational Items • Insight/Broad and Washington St Project SEE Submission 3 - Comment Response Matrix - Comment Number 26 is of significant interest to the UFC. The city arborist proposes adding more long planters that will allow 2 trees per planter, along the Broad St. and Washington Blvd. streetscape. The current status of the project is still in the early stages, allowing time for the UFC to provide input.  - Revised Narrative Statement - Page 7, section e is most relevant for the UFC. The UFC would like clarity as to which space is public versus private. Publicly accessible green space seems reduced from the prior project plan submission, and the UFC had already commented on its inadequacy in the prior submissions. Parking has been a major sticking point throughout the development of this project. The actual increase is still under discussion, with current projects falling somewhere between a 0% - 12% increase in parking. The city and residents have been pushing for more public parking. The UFC has asked Charles to meet with city staff project leads to confirm the project milestones so the UFC has time to review and provide comments. - Conceptual Plan: Recommendations from the city arborist: remove transformers; relocate bike share; consider combining the proposed planters along Broad St. The UFC discussed a concern about the long term health and viability of the trees located in the SE corner of the plans as they may not receive enough sunlight. The UFC would like more clarification regarding the stormwater plan and the detentions. An attempt is being made to save some of the existing trees in the SE corner of the project (indicated by the lighter colored circles). The UFC would like to understand the plans for the sidewalk on Lawton St. In previous discussions, the UFC expressed a desire to keep the existing curved sidewalk as it will not disrupt the existing mature trees. If the plans include a new straight sidewalk (which couldn’t be discerned from the blueprint), then the mature tree root system may be compromised. 4. Current Business • FCCPS Tree Issues and Response: The UFC would like to understand the greenspace on TJ property along the fenceline and near Tripps Run. Which entity (city or FCCPS) is responsible for maintaining that space? After some discussion, it was recommended by Councilman Litkenhous that the UFC create a proposal as to how to improve that space (e.g. which invasive and dying plants and trees should be removed and what should be planted in its place). UFC member David DeCoste will work with the city arborist to draft a proposal. If necessary, the UFC could engage the FCEPTA to garner additional support. • Project Review Template: discussed the draft template. The UFC agrees that this is a useful document and would be most beneficial if some of the blanks were completed. • Open Space and Development Projects: The UFC discussed the need for green space related terms to be clearly defined, so all commissions within the City are aligned on the terminology. Terms to be defined include: Open Space, Green Space and Landscaped Open Space.  Additionally, the UFC should consider adding the formulas for the various definitions as it relates to various plans and proposals that are often seen on planning documents. The word “public” should be added in the descriptions to clearly define who can use the space. These could fall into two main categories: Public Open Space and Green Space/Landscaped Open Space. Additional follow up required as this was the first discussion on this topic. • Urban Forestry Management Plan: No updates from Kate Reich other than UFC member David Braun’s comment to reduce the size of the document so it is more attainable. • City Code Updates: currently on hold. The UFC should agree on the conceptual changes prior to making recommendations on code changes. This will be addressed during the next UFC meeting. 5. Future Business • NTP (Neighborhood Tree Program) Update: UFC member Amy Crumpon stated that VPIS would like to spend some financial resources on “green” improvements in the city. The UFC and the city arborist should identify some possible initiatives (the grounds around TJ were cited as a possible project). Based on previous experience, targeting particular hotspots / city specific areas or small neighborhoods seem to work best as an impact will be felt by neighbors and soliciting volunteers is significantly easier which is challenging during the pandemic. 6. Adjourn Urban Forestry Commission Staff liaison: Charles Prince: 571-238-6306, arborist@fallschurchva.gov.