Tree Commission

                                             July 2018 Minutes



Attending: Rosanne Simon, Peggy Van Yahres, Brian Menard, Paul Josey, Jody Lahendro, Roxanne
White, Mark Rylander

Staff: Brian Daly, Mike Ronayne, Missy Creasy

Guests: none

Approve May minutes: The intern projects will be recapped in August.

SADM report – Peggy/Missy

Marty is still compiling comments for another couple of weeks. The comment period will be open
through August. Next draft will reflect Tree Commission comments.

City Arborist Annual Work Plan - Mike

Mike reviews his objectives for the fiscal year. It is suggested that the GPS inventory be used for
maintenance management practices. This will be looked into in the future but is not currently being
used. There is discussion regarding priorities for proactive maintenance. The commission suggests that
locations for entrance corridor planting in the ROW be prioritized.

Discussion – Entry Corridor Species

There are comments regarding the use of zelkova along 5th St. at the new hotel located at Cherry Av. and
5th St. There was objection using zelkovas in this location as an entry corridor species. The London
plane trees along Cherry Av. here were not on the approved site plan and will be replaced with okame
cherries. Missy will follow up with more information.

After some discussion of history of this list it is decided that the list will be added to the Charlottesville
Tree Packet after revisions are made by commission and staff. This list will serve as a guide in the future
for tree planting along City entrance corridors. Paul will draft new list from revisions discussed.

Committee Reports

Planting Committee - Roxanne, Paul

The committee has recognized thirty locations to install trees in Belmont neighborhoods on private
property. The committee has also had donors who have expressed interest.
Code Committee – Brian M., Mark Rylander

There is some discussion about the Strategic Investment Area and what opportunities this means for
trees. The form-based code draft is currently on hold for the Housing Study. Brian attended the latest
E. High St. corridor committee meeting. Pedestrian access and trees ranked number one and two in
survey. This was reflected in the revised plan. Public comment is available August 15th and members of
the commission are planning to attend.



Data Committee – Roxanne

The Data Committee will meet this Thursday and begin working up report. There have been some
technical difficulties with the GPS technology that staff has been working on that has set back
anticipated dashboard completion date. The financial data will not be dependent on the dashboard
project and will be available.

Upcoming development projects that impact trees – Mike/All

Ivy Creek doesn’t show tree species and is very preliminary. There is some discussion about Seminole
Plaza lacking species diversity and other species selection. The commission suggests that river birch is a
poor shade species and the red maple should be limited in use. Missy explains some critical slopes
among other concerns among staff and the Planning Commission. It is pointed out that the planter
width for trees in the parking lot does not meet requirements. Since this is not an entire
redevelopment, they would not be required to comply with new parking lot planter width. The
commission will send a summary of comments to Jody to submit to the Planning Commission.

Mike will send out a digital copy of the Belleview site plan to commission.

Maplewood Cemetery Update – Brian M.

Parks has approved fixing three gravestones in Maplewood from the storm damaged maple earlier this
spring. Group will get together to discuss planting possibilities. It is brought up that years ago there was
a cemeteries consultant that worked with the Parks Dept. and inventoried all stones, fences, trees etc.
Parks will try to locate study.

RFP for Parks’ Redesigns – Brian D.

Staff is currently waiting for guidance from the City attorney’s office. The city received several
submissions. It has not been determined who will review firms.

Other Items

Parks plans to have the tree grates near the free expression wall installed before the end of the month.
It is suggested that the commission create an annual award to give to developers who prioritize trees.


        Next meeting: End of the year financial report, Mall Tree Study update, Intern reports, CIP
        proposed budget request draft, Tree planting bid list draft, prepare and review annual report to
        go to Council in September, City Tree Planting District Design (draft)
                                                                                         Adjourn 6:55