North County Governmental Center Community Room

Attendees: Committee members - Arthur Hill, Bruce Wright, Bob Poppe, Bill Stipe, David Gibson, Sarah Newman, and Craig A. Kennedy.

Other attendees: Goldie Harrison, Supervisor Hudgins' office, Hugh Whitehead, Fairfax County Urban Forester.

Summary of meeting:

Urban Forester - Hugh Whitehead gave an overview of the activities of the Urban Forester as they relate to land use applications.

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:35 by Mr. Wright.

Urban Forester - Fairfax County urban forester Hugh Whitehead presented an overview of the activities of the Urban Forestry branch of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. The Public Facilities Manual (PFM) contains regulations regarding the removal and replacement of trees. If a property owner disturbs an area greater than 2500 sq. ft. a permit is required. In some cases, Conservation and Landscaping plans are required (see Public Facilities Manual section 12-0400. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gov/DPWES/publications/pfm/12-0400.htm. Zoning enforcement controls violations to site plans or in areas of disturbance greater than 2500 sq. ft.

There are recommended guidelines for the amount of tree cover required for various residential densities. These are contained in the PFM.

Hugh passed around two handouts regarding ...

Questions: What happened to the tree comments in the Infill Study Recommendations? The contributed to the recent amendments made to Section 12 of the PFM. The wording now is clearer as to what is required of developers. Additional requirements were also included in the revisions.

Are utilities shown on site plans? Water, sanitary sewer, gas are shown. Cable, telephone, electric are not shown.

Can the committee require additional tree save areas on sites? Not if the plans meet the tree cover requirements in the PFM.

If the committee members have concerns about trees in an area, contact the staff coordinator in the Zoning Evaluation Division.

For the committee to be more effective in their discussions about trees with developers, we should be as specific as possible about areas to save and lose. We should sugggest that developers consult with a qualified arborist. Where landscaping is needed, it should be of high quality. If desired, members may ask to accompany urban forestry staff on their site visits.

Kathleen Martin is the Hunter Mill District representative on the Tree Commission. The commission is an advisory group to the Board.

The March Minutes were approved.