Tree Board - Regular Meeting (and via Zoom)

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE TREE BOARD - REGULAR MEETING (AND VIA ZOOM) Operations Center - Assembly Room | 305 Williams St. | Hendersonville NC 28792 Tuesday, February 15, 2022 – 2:00 PM MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 2:02 pm. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. Motion by Glenn Lange, Vote - All Ayes. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 26, 2022 Minutes The January 26, 2022 minutes were approved as written. Motion by Mark Madsen, Vote - All Ayes. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Public Relations Update - Mary Jo Padgett Mary Jo provided an update via email and discussed the items during the meeting. The Tree Walk on 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue was a big success. Mary Jo sent a "Thank You" note to City Council. Bee City USA will now be managed by Patrice German (Bullington Gardens). An education event will be held on March 10th at 5 pm and Mary Jo need two volunteers and an MC. Mary Jo covered the calendar of events. B. Bee City Update - Patrice German Patrice German will be replacing Kim Bailey as Bee City USA Coordinator. There are a few items that need to be finished for the agreement such as insurance. A press release will be coming out soon, maybe Friday, announcing the change. Patrice will continue to have a presence at the Farmer's Market, Bee Bold, and with the Henderson County Beekeeper's Association plus other events. C. Earth Care Ministry - Richard Bobb Richard Bobb discussed the Earth Care Ministry through Trinity Presbyterian Church. The have about thirty active members who are willing to volunteer to help the Tree Board. D. Rezoning: Conditional Zoning District – Southgate Apartments (P21-62-CZD) – Matthew Manley, AICP – Planning Manager TREE BOARD - REGULAR MEETING (AND VIA ZOOM) – February 15, 2022 Page | 1  This project has reduced the size of the buildings, parking lot, and impervious surfaces on the site. They are keeping the same number of proposed trees and shrubs as they had planned for under the original project. A motion was made by Glenn Lange, vote - All Ayes: Motion: Based on the following guiding city code documents (the 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, Section1.04, Part H; and the Comprehensive Plan, Vision Statement and Section 3.3, Goal NR-1, Strategy 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 protection of natural resources and the prioritization of existing tree canopy, the Tree Board recommends the following development conditions be placed on this property: 1. Plant slope area with diverse and appropriate species of native upland small maturing or understory trees, shrubs (both with proper spacing) and herbaceous plants. 2. All preserved trees must be protected from construction activities as prescribed in the zoning code 15-4c regardless of use for a tree credit. 3. Attempt to eradicate invasive plant species found on the property as listed in the Recommended Landscape Species List for Street Trees and Land Development Projects. E. Rezoning: Conditional Rezoning: Apple Ridge Affordable Housing (P22-08-CZD) - Tyler Morrow, Planner II A discussion was held concerning this project. The developer stated that there were about 182 trees that were 12 inches or larger and they were likely removing 47 trees, most of the trees that will be removed are Pine Trees. The developer will attempt to save a few of the trees to be removed but they were unsure if they could be saved so they added them to the list of trees that will be removed. A motion was made by Glenn Lange, vote - All Ayes. Motion: Based on the following guiding city code documents (the 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, Section1.04, Part H; and the Comprehensive Plan, Vision Statement and Section 3.3, Goal NR-1, Strategy 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 protection of natural resources and the prioritization of existing tree canopy, the Tree Board recommends the following development conditions be placed on this property: 1. Preserve as many 12” or larger canopy trees as possible. 2. All preserved trees must be protected from construction activities as prescribed in the TREE BOARD - REGULAR MEETING (AND VIA ZOOM) – February 15, 2022 Page | 2  zoning code 15-4c regardless of use for a tree credit. 3. Either through Conserving Carolina or a landscape architect provide and implement a vegetative planting plan that will enhance the existing stream corridors, reduce erosion, provide filtration and infiltration of stormwater from turf managed areas, and enhance wildlife habitat in the 20-foot transition zone along both sides of the streams on the property, in any other areas not within lot lines along the streams, and beyond proposed retaining wall along multi-family units. For this development condition, the Tree Board recommends the use of diverse and appropriate species of native upland and lowland trees, shrubs, and perennial herbaceous plants (including warm season grasses, sedges, and plants important to pollinators). 4. Attempt to eradicate invasive plant species throughout the property as listed in the Recommended Landscape Species List for Street Trees and Land Development Projects. F. Collaboration with Environmental & Sustainability Board - Glenn Lange The Environmental Sustainability Board is interested in working with the Tree Board on a variety of things such as ordinance changes and zoning changes. The two boards are collecting information and will continue having conversations about working together. G. Possible Tree & Shrub Planting on Greenway A discussion was held about planting trees and shrubs along the Oklawaha Greenway Trail between 7th Avenue and North Main Street in order to replace some of the trees that have died or fell and been removed. Mark Madson had identified locations to plant about 52 trees. It was proposed to work with volunteers to plant the trees, City Staff would work with the Tree Board to purchase the trees and dig the holes once the locations had been staked. The project could be split into phases. Funds from the current budget could be used to purchase the trees and soil amendments or they could apply for grants. Once the trees are planted, city staff could GPS the trees so we would have a record of the trees, where they are planted and record the species. Additional discussions will be held. Tom Wooten will print two copies of the Oklawaha Greenway Trail map of the proposed area for Mark and Glenn. Tom will also email a pdf of the area to Mark and Glenn. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Changes to City Ordinances/Zoning Concerning Trees - Glenn Lange No Action Taken. B. NeighborWoods Debbie Roundtree has some property owners who are interested in this program. C. Pollinator Bed Traffic Island Four Seasons Boulevard No action taken. Plan to move forward with the RFP in the spring. TREE BOARD - REGULAR MEETING (AND VIA ZOOM) – February 15, 2022 Page | 3 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. Utility Update No utility update. B. Tree Board Budget Expenditures and FY 2022/2023 Request Tom Wooten provided an update in the agenda packet for the upcoming budget. Tom will email the current budget to the Tree Board (the update he submitted in the agenda packet did not contain all of the information necessary for an update). C. Staff Comments No Staff Comments. 7. ADJOURNMENT 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 - REGULAR MEETING (AND VIA ZOOM) – February 15, 2022 Page | 4