Urban Forestry Commission

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 21, 2021 ❖ 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting NOTICE: This meeting 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 will be present at this meeting through electronic means. All members of the public may view this electronic meeting via the meeting link listed above and in the City’s website calendar. Attendees UFC members: Kathy Philpott Costa, Amy Crumpton, David DeCoste, Stephanie Hamilton, Mike Nichols UFC City Staff Liaison: Charles Prince City Council Liaison: UFC Student Representative: Dylan Petrillo City Staff: Members of the Public: 1) Call to Order - the meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. 2) Reading of Virtual Meeting Notice. Read by Ms. Philpott Costa. 3) Roll Call - Completed. 4) Approval of the March Minutes - Approved. 5) Public Comments - No comments. 6) Staff Updates/Informational Items: a) UFC calendar update - Mr. Prince reviewed the staff calendar and noted the budget amendment meeting on May 3 may be of interest. There were no other items on the calendar identified that would be relevant to the Urban Forestry Commission. Ms. Philpott Costa asked if there was a way to get better insight as to what is happening with regard to meetings for development projects. Mr. Prince requested assistance from members of the Forestry Commission to identify and communicate such meetings and town halls. b) Arbor Day Update - Mr. Prince reported that everyone who agreed to participate in the video was recorded and thanked Ms. Crumpton for participating in the project. He is working with the TV station staff to ensure the video is edited to a reasonable duration. The editing should be done by this weekend. There will be a teaser on social media and a link to the full YouTube video. Mr. Prince will be giving away a Tree Hunter’s manual to anyone who requests one. This is a handy guide that teaches people about the basics of tree maintenance. TreeKeeper, a tree inventory software system, also has been launched in advance of Arbor Day. c) Dan Sze Memorial and Plaque ideas - The agenda included a link to three potential locations for this tree and potential trees to be planted and another link showing text for a plaque to mark the tree. Mr. Tim Stevens, our liaison to the Planning Commission, has been interfacing with Mr. Sze’s widow; she approved each of the location options and asked that the Forestry Commission select the final location. The Commissioners discussed the options presented and selected the male Ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) and agreed on location #1 and, if possible, for two trees to be planted in locations #1 and #3. Ms. Philpott Costa will confirm the final draft of the plaque wording. d) School grounds maintenance update - Mr. Prince has not yet heard back from Jeremy Edwards after he received the quote, yet it was his understanding this would move forward. Ms. Crumpton reported that the bamboo is being removed from the Oak Street Elementary School; work began on April 20. e) Stormwater Code proposed changes - Based on feedback from a 2015 report, this likely will be sent to a specialist firm to review the Stormwater Code and propose changes. As soon as Mr. Prince receives it, he will send it to the Forestry Commission for review and comment. Members of the Forestry Commission had previously reviewed the stormwater, zoning and tree codes and recommended updates and asked that all of these interconnected codes be considered for this project. Where the stormwater code touches aspects of the tree and zoning codes, Mr. Prince will try to get changes inserted at the same time. f) Update on Neighborhood Tree Program (NTP) - The Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) created the impetus to work with the City to plant more street trees. Ms. Crumpton reported that approximately 1,400 trees have been planted over the past 20 years, mostly through two annual volunteer events (one in Spring and one in Autumn). Initially these trees were limited to be planted as street trees. The City helps to plant the trees and the yard owner held responsibility for managing the trees. The program then was expanded to include within 15 feet of the curb (Phase II trees), which is beyond the easement that would be the City’s responsibility. The City Arborist initially took on responsibility to identify locations for the trees and it ultimately became a request system where property owners could ask for a tree to be planted by VPIS volunteers. The program was placed on-hold last Spring due to COVID and because the volunteer base has been waning for these plantings. Last Autumn, the City Arborist arranged for a contractor to put in 30 trees and in Spring 2021, another 15 street trees and 8 Phase II trees were planted through this process. The VPIS NTP fund will fund the Phase II trees The VPIS member who led this initiative will be moving out of the City, yet there is significant interest in advancing this project which would include an education component. Ms. Crumpton will be helping VPIS to determine the path forward for this program.  g) Discussion of UFC task delegation to keep up with the increase in projects - Ms. Crumpton suggested we make a list of projects of interest and ask for Forestry Commission members to volunteer as a point person to monitor these projects (e.g., keep track of agendas, monitor progress and opportunities to contribute, and communicate to the Commission and attend meetings as appropriate). The Forestry Commission needs official communication from the Planning Commission with regard to what they are doing, their process and what is expected in the pilot process for early Boards & Commission input on development projects. The only source of information for project developments has been what Mr. Prince learns from his colleagues and shares with this Commission. Proactive communication from the Planning Commission would allow us to provide comments on behalf of the Forestry Commission, compiled as a group. There currently are four large development projects ongoing in the City. Ms. Philpott Costa will discuss a process with Mr. Paul Stoddard, the City’s principal planner and compile a list of projects we should monitor, which will be discussed as new business during the May 2021 meeting. The timing of our input is essential so it is not provided too late in the process to make an impact. Additionally, at the May 2021 meeting, the commission will discuss and prioritize topics listed under the Future Business section. 7) Current Business a) Rules of Procedure/Confirmation of Officers - The Forestry Commission affirmed the existing officers will remain in place, with Ms. Philpott Costa as Chair, Ms. Crumpton as Vice Chair and Mr. DeCoste as Secretary. Ms. Philpott Costa reminded the new members about rules and procedures, particularly those under the FOIA. Mr. DeCoste inquired if there will be additional guidance when Commissions might be able to meet in-person again. Mr. Prince expects guidance to be developed after the Governor’s order comes out and he will apprise the Commission of any developments for in-person meetings. b) Work Plan and Equity Review - Ms. Philpott Costa shared her thoughts on opportunities to collaborate with the Environmental Sustainability Council (ESC) to advance equity and highlighted some other initiatives they will be addressing that may overlap with the Forestry Commission. Ms. Crumpton added that the Library used the American Bar Association materials and their staff created an equity challenge with readings and discussions (e.g., Justice in June). This was an idea that Boards and Commissions could consider to raise our awareness on equity issues;. To be most effective, it is advised to have someone dedicated to facilitate the discussion. Ms. Philpott will confer with the ESC regarding overlapping goals. c) Founders Row II - Ms. Crumpton attended a recent meeting regarding the Founders Row II development project. Ms. Philpott Costa had prepared written recommendations regarding tree canopy, green space, stormwater management, and greenway connections. Mr. Prince noted that nothing has changed since he shared the concept which is on the City’s website. Mr. Prince indicated he would like to see open space in this mixed use residential project. Has not received any responses from the Planning Department about his concerns. Ms. Crumpton added that at one corner of this project is a storm drainage ditch which is of concern and this was not discussed during the meeting. Much work remains to be done by the developers on this project and it is at an early stage. The Forestry Commission will continue to monitor and engage on this development. Ms. Philpott Costa added that there is a meeting about the One City Center project at the same time as this meeting. Ms.  Crumpton indicated she provided comments to the ESC about this plan and there is value in the Forestry Commission working with the ESC. This project also is in its early stages. d) Tree Canopy/Greenspace Standards - Ms. Philpott Costa stated that this agenda item is with regard to establishing minimum standards for commercial projects. There are no standards for commercial or mixed use projects that are special exception applications. . She has been researching what tree canopy requirements Fairfax and Arlington Counties have in their code. Arlington has minimum 10% onsite canopy for commercial or mixed use properties, including special exception permits. She added that Arlington allows no exceptions to this, except for extreme hardship, and street trees cannot count for this canopy calculation, which often happens in Falls Church. She noted this is a good model for us to consider. On top of the 10% requirement, all trees that are removed must be replaced which often results in more than the 10% minimum. Arlington also has a Tree Canopy Fund, so if they cannot meet their replacement requirement, the developer can put money into this fund. Arlington also has an open space requirement which provides a minimum 10% open “landscape space” requirement in their code for Commercial and Dense Mixed Use. The Commissioners discussed opportunities for Falls Church to enhance its requirements for developers that would integrate modern best practices related to tree canopy, stormwater management and other environmental impacts. e) Ms. Philpott Costa highlighted two additional topics for education: Brood X Cicadas which will come again this year. While information previously has been shared, there may be value in continuing to educate the community as they can damage small trees. Additionally, there is a containment effort for Spotted Lanternflies which are invading nearby states and have been identified in Virginia. Mr. Prince noted that the City has information on its website regarding the Spotted Lanternfly. The Commissioners discussed ways to educate the community about this risk. 8) Future Business a) Counting Tree Plantings (My Tree Counts) b) Green Infrastructure Plan/Standards c) Biophilic Cities d) UF Management Plan e) UFC Standard Maintenance Agreements f) TOTY Revision g) UF Code Changes h) Outreach / Publicity i) Memorial or Commemorative Tree Designation Process j) Stormwater task force coordination 9) Adjourn - the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m. These minutes were prepared by Mike Nichols. Urban Forestry Commission Staff liaison: Charles Prince: 571-238-6306, arborist@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 703-248-5350 TTY711.