Urban Forestry Commission

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 21, 2024 ❖ 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Meeting Location: 300 Park Ave, Dogwood and Virtual Attendees UFC members: Amy Crumpton (Chair), Alison Miller, Tim Roche, Jennifer Anderson, City Council Liaison: Erin Flynn UFC Student Representative: Lydia Sturgill City Staff Liaison: Arborist Charles Prince (cprince@fallschurchva.gov) Members of the Public: none Other guests: none 1) Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. 2) Roll Call: noted above 3) Remote Participation: none 4) Approval of Minutes: the January 2023 UFC minutes were approved by voice vote 5) Public Comment: no public comments received. 6) Staff Updates and Informational Items: a) City Council Calendar Erin Flynn updated the Commission on state legislative items including one on gas-powered leaf blowers, which has been bumped to 2025. The Commission agreed to notify the Council of its support of the Arborist’s request for funding for a high-ranking UF Crew staff member and for a public tree inventory in time for the April 8 town hall on the fiscal budget. Erin also mentioned the Town Hall for the Greening of Lincoln project on Feb. 27 as well as the Board and Commission preview of the proposed development for S. Maple and Annandale that will go through special exception review. Early Board and Commission comments were accepted at the Planning Commission's meeting on March 6. b) City Council Retreat and 2024 Work Plan Erin shared that the City Council created 5 overarching priorities including Environmental Sustainability. She noted that the Council recognizes that the City needs an Urban Forestry Management Plan and that planning is required to achieve it. Council will adopt its work plan for the next few years at its March 11 meeting.  c) Staff Updates i) Arborist and Urban Forestry Budget. Charles said his priorities remain hiring a high-ranking crew member and the tree inventory. It’s unclear whether funding will be available from the City’s discretionary funds, but Public Works leadership is aware of these priorities and how lack of their fulfillment is affecting UF services. Unfortunately, the Arborist/Urban Forestry budget will be flat again this year, but Council is aware of the need for staff salary increases. ii) Sanitary Sewer Capacity. Erin explained that the sanitary sewer that runs alongside the Tripps Run watershed is at capacity and will have to be addressed. Future ideas might include a holding tank under the tennis court at Cavalier Trail to slow flow rate. She said she will make sure that funds for trees/landscaping replacement are included in any budget proposal for such a project. iii) Charles shared a proposal to build a 12-unit townhouse development at Oak Street and Park Avenue, a T-zone property. The proposal calls for 12% canopy coverage. Mature trees on the site are slated for removal. New foliage will be native. d) Status of relevant bills in the VA General Assembly. Amy Crumpton updated staff on several bills including HB529, which would impact tree canopy requirements under Code of Virginia 15.2-961 on replacement of trees during the development process by allowing for increased tree canopy coverage on residential lots in sync with the coverage currently allowed under 15.2-961.1 regulating the conservation of trees. She noted legislation underway to prohibit the sale of English Ivy (HB1167) and HB47 requires signage alerting consumers about invasive species. In addition to SB305 prohibiting gas-powered leaf blowers, HB528, which would relieve unreasonable HOA restrictions on installation of managed conservation landscapes by property owners, also has been sent back to committee to be continued in 2025. 7) Current Business a) 2023 UFC Annual Report: Approved by voice vote with one edit. Tim Roche suggested that priority 3 on the code changes be moved up to priority 2. For March 20 UFC Meeting: Amy will prepare a letter to Council in support of Arborist’s requests for funds before the April 8 Town Hall meeting on the City budget. Amy will have a new draft on the code changes (Priority 2) ready to discuss and approve. All agreed that code change recommendations be sent to Council as soon as possible. Jennifer Anderson will draft a 1-2 page prospectus on Soil Profile Rebuilding -– the what, why and how of this technique — for Charles to use in internal discussions with other departments and staff on how to incorporate this best management practice into City guidance for improving compacted soil post-construction. b) 2024 Tree of the Year: Commission selected the Shumard Oak, Quercus shumardii.  Charles will acquire seedlings from the Virginia Department of Forestry Nursery to give away at Arbor Day and other public events during the year as the City marks its 75th year of incorporation. Amy will ask VPIS about purchasing seedlings to give away at the VPIS table at the Farmers’ Market in April. 8) Meeting adjorned at 8:51 p.m.