Tree Board

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE TREE BOARD City Hall - Council Chambers | 160 Sixth Avenue E. | Hendersonville, NC 28792 Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – 2:00 PM MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Janet called meeting to order at 2:05p.m. Present: Glenn, Mary, Janet, Becca Not present: Natalie, Debbie Roundtree, Will Coffee, and Stephen Stark 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Glenn motioned to approve first followed by Becca second. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mary motioned to approve first followed by Glenn. A. Tree Board Minutes January 16, 2024 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Public Relations Report - Mary Jo Padget B. Conditional Zoning District Approval - Lofts at Chadwick Glenn motioned to adopt as proposed with minor update of development condition #4: …the area to be restored and planted at a minimum of 30 feet wide within property boundaries. Mary motioned to approve second. Tree Board Motion for the Lofts at Chadwick Based on plans submitted to the Tree Board, dated January 29, 2024, we recommend the following development conditions: 1. Invasive trees, shrubs and ground cover shall be removed, particularly English Ivy, throughout the site, especially for the trees that are preserved. Care shall be taken to not substantively disturb the root systems of preserved trees. Invasive trees and shrubs can be cut off at ground level and the stump treated to kill the roots. Control of English Ivy shall be confined to the recommendations found in the North Carolina Extension publication “Controlling English Ivy in Urban Landscapes”. 2. Oak trees are part of a group of native plants known as Keystone Plants which are defined as plants critical to the food web and necessary for many wildlife species to complete their life cycle. Since this development will be removing 35 oak trees, it is the Tree Board’s recommendation that where required large maturing or canopy trees are to be planted, species of the genera Quercus (oaks), Acer (maples), and Carya (hickories) be used. TREE BOARD – February 20, 2024 Page | 1 3. All preserved trees shall be protected from grading and construction activities as prescribed in the zoning code Section 15-4 regardless of use as tree credits. 4. Since both a stream buffer and a buffer yard is required on the east side of this site, the Tree Board recommends that the waterway along the east side of the site be naturally restored using native plants to reduce erosion, provide additional wildlife habitat, and incorporate the necessary buffer yard planting materials. The area to be restored and planted shall be a minimum of 30 feet wide within property boundaries. A restoration plan must be approved by the planning staff and the Tree Board requests the opportunity to review the plan. Restoration guidelines contained in the following publications shall be followed: Small-scale Solutions to Eroding Stream Banks (published by the NC Cooperative Extension) and Stream Restoration: A Natural Channel Design Handbook (published by the NC Stream Restoration Institute). The Tree Board’s recommended conditions, above, are based on the following guiding city code documents: Municipal Code, Chapter 46, Article IV, Division 1,Trees & Shrubs, Section 46, 116 & 117; the Zoning Code, Article XV Buffering, Screening & Landscaping Sections 15-1, A &C and 15-4 A; the Subdivision Ordinance, Purpose and Intent, Section 1.04, Part H; and the Comprehensive Plan,Vision Statement, Section 3.1 Purpose, Sections 3.2 and Section 3.3, Goal NR-1, Strategy NR 1.1 and NR 1.2 and Goal NR-2, Strategy 2.3; and the City Council’s adoption (Feb., 2021) of core values and beliefs as guiding principles as they apply to the prioritization of existing tree canopy. C. Conditional Zoning District Approval - Kids City USA Unanimous approval Tree Board Motion for Kid City USA Development Based on plans submitted to the Tree Board, dated October 16, 2023, we recommend the following development conditions: Invasive trees, shrubs and ground cover shall be removed, particularly English Ivy, throughout the site, especially from trees that will be preserved. Care shall be taken to not substantively disturb the root systems of preserved trees. Invasive trees and shrubs can be cut off at ground level and the stump treated to kill the roots. Control of English Ivy shall be confined to the recommendations found in the North Carolina Extension publication “Controlling English Ivy in Urban Landscapes” All preserved trees shall be protected from grading and construction activities as prescribed in the zoning code Section 15-4 regardless of use as tree credits. The Tree Board’s recommended conditions, above, are based on the following guiding city code documents: Municipal Code, Chapter 46, Article IV, Division 1,Trees & Shrubs, Section 46, 116 & 117; the Zoning Code, Article XV Buffering, Screening & Landscaping Sections 15-1, A &C and 15-4 A; the Subdivision Ordinance, Purpose and Intent, Section 1.04, Part H; and the Comprehensive Plan,Vision Statement, Section 3.1 Purpose, Sections 3.2 and Section 3.3, Goal NR-1, Strategy NR 1.1 and NR 1.2 and Goal NR-2, Strategy 2.3; and the City Council’s adoption (Feb., 2021) of core values and beliefs as guiding principles as they apply to the prioritization of existing tree canopy. 5. OTHER BUSINESS A. Urban Forestry Plan - Chris Defiore 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Bradford Pear Exchange TREE BOARD – February 20, 2024 Page | 2  7 people present to present including N.C. State Urban Forestry. Program is launching 3/6/24. The group discussed logistics and next meeting and will need help from Becca. Duke and Forest Ranger will be there. TREE BOARD – February 20, 2024 Page | 3  B. Earth Fest Glenn passed along to Conserving Carolina through Natalie. Natalie needs to get form to Pam. C. Tree Ordinance Revision Committee - Glenn Lange Glenn send talking points around for input. City Council will discuss next 2/28/24 at the second Council meeting. D. NeighborWoods No updated from Mac but may have update in early April. New addition: Public comment: Lynne Williams was present to protest project and says the history needs to be told and urged to look at what was previously presented to the Tree Board. She would also like space for more public comment at future meetings. 7. ADJOURNMENT Janet adjourned meeting at 4:09p.m. The City of Hendersonville is committed to providing accessible facilities, programs and services for all people in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Should you need assistance or an accommodation for this meeting please contact the City Clerk no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting at 697-3005. TREE BOARD – February 20, 2024 Page | 4