The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2025-07-02 - Agendas - Final 100 W. Rock St, Suite 246 Fayetteville, AR 72701 Urban Forestry Advisory Board Agenda Wednesday, July 2, 2025 4:00 PM Rock St. Meeting Room / Virtual Meeting Via Zoom Members Resident at Large Rep. - Hannah Ash (Exp: 12/25) Resident at Large Rep. - James Parrish (Exp: 12/25) Resident at Large Rep. - Kate Shirley (Exp: 12/26) Resident at Large Rep. - Taz Zinck (Exp: 12/26) Tree Service Rep. - Joseph Fox (Exp: 12/26) Resident at Large Rep. - Open Position (Exp: 12/25) Resident at Large Rep. - Open Position (Exp: 12/26) City Staff Urban Forester - John Scott Urban Forester - Willa Thomason Urban Forester - Bethany Douglas Urban Forestry Advisory Board Meeting Agenda July 2, 2025 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas page 2 Zoom Information Webinar ID: 868 4345 0792 Registration Link: https://fayetteville- ar.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mSWH9ArLSb-hp3zLUf_2pw Call to Order Roll Call Reports and Presentations Board Member Presentations Jim- July August - Bethany September - Katie Double Check October - Hanna Double Check Ongoing Programs and Unfinished Business Code and Process change for Tree Preservation Easement Vacations. Code Changes- Fall Tree Planting Programs. 1. Trees to be planted at Park Meadow 2. Detention Pond trees at three locations. 1. Harmony Point 2. St. James 3. Crystal Springs New Business Amazing Tree Nominations - We need to nominate five trees for the spring of 2026. We want the information now so we can show pictures of the trees with leaves on. Announcements Program Urban Forestry Advisory Board Meeting Agenda July 2, 2025 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas page 3 1. Hiking with the Forester on September 20th at 12:30 to 2:30 Lake Fayetteville 2. UFAB Invasive Pull on September 20th from 10:00 am to 12:00 3. Celebration of Trees - October 11th 4. Symbols Day in Springdale, October 9th from 9 am to 3:30 New Tree City USA signs on Highway 62 as you're coming into the City From Farmington. On highway 265 as you are coming from Springdale. Fayetteville Community Forester Class- We had 57 People attend our first class. We have 25 and 29 signed up for the July Classes. Adjournment NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE Original 167.04 L 2 The geographic extent and location of tree preservation easements, once recorded, may only be modified, or abolished with the express approval of the City Council. Such requests shall be submitted to the urban forester, who shall ask the City Clerk to place it on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. Proposed The geographic extent and location of tree preservation easements, once recorded, may only be modified or abolished with the express approval of the City Council. Tree preservation easements are intended to be permanent, protected natural ecosystems. Property owners who wish to vacate the tree preservation easement must submit a request to Urban Forestry staff. Urban Forestry staff will place completed applications on the next agenda for the Urban Forestry Advisory Board's next regularly scheduled meeting. Following an evaluation of the tree preservation easement vacation request and a recommendation by the Urban Forestry Advisory Board, the request will be placed on the agenda for the next City Council meeting. Applicants requesting such action shall bear the burden of proving to the City Council's satisfaction that such modification or abolition is in the best interest of the City of Fayetteville. An application to vacate a tree preservation easement must include the following: •A narrative explaining the reason for the vacation request. •A tree inventory detailing the size, health, and species of all trees within the easement. •The latest heat island maps depicting the current easement area. •The latest tree equity scores for the easement area. •A narrative explaining how the proposed vacation benefits the City of Fayetteville as a whole. •A recommendation from the Urban Forestry Advisory Board. The applicant must present their request to the Urban Forestry Advisory Board at a regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The recommendation from the Urban Forestry Advisory Board must be included in the submission documents for the City Council. The Urban Forestry Advisory Board's recommendation will be based on the objectives and principles outlined in Sections 167.01 A and 167.01 B, as well as the vision, goals and guiding principles established in the Urban Forestry Management Plan. Applicants who propose to vacate a tree preservation easement and create a new tree preservation easement must include the following for the proposed tree preservation easement: •A tree inventory detailing the size, health, and species of all trees within the proposed easement. •The latest heat island maps that depict the proposed easement area. •The latest tree equity scores for the proposed easement area. City of Fayetteville – Tree Preservation Easement Vacation Request Application Applicant Information •Name: ____________________________________ •Property Address or Parcel Number: ___________________________ •Phone Number: _____________________________ •Email Address: _____________________________ Section 1: Circumstantial Description 1.Please describe in detail the circumstances requiring the vacation of this tree preservation easement, including any development plans on-site. Section 2: City Benefit 3.Describe how vacating this tree preservation easement will benefit the City of Fayetteville: Section 3: Evaluation of Easement Proposed for Vacation 4.Size of easement (sq. ft or acres): ___________________________ 5.Species of trees in easement: 6.Health of trees in easement: Describe the general condition: ____________________________________________ 7.Does the easement proposed for vacation provide any of the following benefits or features? (Check all that apply and provide supporting details where applicable) ☐ a. High quality of trees Describe: _______________________________________________________________ ☐ b. Large tree size (>18” in diameter for large species trees; >8” in diameter for understory species trees) Provide measurements or description: ______________________________________ ☐ c. Wildlife habitat Describe habitat function: ________________________________________________ ☐ d. Heat island reduction contribution o Is the current easement surrounded by concrete? ☐ Yes ☐ No o Explain how it reduces heat: ___________________________________________ ☐ e. Stormwater reduction benefits Explain: _________________________________________________________________ ☐ f. Connection to important habitat or natural area Describe: ________________________________________________________________ Section 4: Proposed Tree Preservation Easement (If Applicable) 5.Are you offering a new tree preservation easement? ☐ Yes ☐ No If yes, complete the following: a. Size of proposed easement (sq. ft or acres): ___________________________ b. Species of trees in proposed easement: c. Health of trees in Proposed Easement: Describe the general condition: ____________________________________________ d. Does the proposed easement help mitigate heat island effects? ☐ Yes ☐ No Explain: _________________________________________________________________ e. Does it address stormwater drainage issues? ☐ Yes ☐ No Explain: _________________________________________________________________ f. Does it connect to any important habitat or green corridor? ☐ Yes ☐ No Explain: _________________________________________________________________ Supporting Documentation Checklist ☐ Site plan showing current and proposed easement areas ☐ Tree inventory or arborist report (if available) ☐ Photos of current easement and proposed easement location ☐ Any additional relevant documentation Applicant Signature: ____________________________ Date: _________________ FACTOR IMPACT DISCUSSION MITIGATING CONDITIONS Preservation of Existing Tree Canopy Mature, healthy, native canopy has higher preservation value Assess age, species, condition, DBH, and canopy coverage. Compare tree inventory metrics between existing and proposed TPEs. Younger or less valuable canopy can be mitigated with documented replanting plan, longer- term protection, or enhanced stewardship. Net Easement Change Net Canopy Change Preservation of Significant Trees Preservation of Healthy Trees Preservation of Beneficial Trees Interaction with Urban Forestry Management Plan FACTOR IMPACT DISCUSSION MITIGATING CONDITIONS Higher value preservation in denser, heat- prone, or nature- isolated areas Compare geographic context of existing and proposed TPEs using zoning or heat island maps. Urban core or underserved areas have elevated value due to greater community and ecological need. If proposed TPE is outside high-value zones, supplemental strategies (e.g. heat island mitigation elsewhere) may be considered. Tree Equity Score Priority Planting Areas Climate Resilience Score Heat Island Effect Public Benefit Higher value if preservation supports biodiversity or human use Evaluate habitat quality for birds and wildlife; human exposure factors like trail adjacency, visibility, and recreational access. Isolated or less accessible areas may be mitigated through greenway connections, signage, or enhancement planting. Land Use & Enduring Green Network FACTOR IMPACT DISCUSSION MITIGATING CONDITIONS Housing Supply Habitat of Interest Economic and Environmental Value Preservation of more developable land holds greater economic trade-off Evaluate developability of existing and proposed TPEs using data on zoning, floodplains, slopes, utility access, etc. More developable land represents a higher-value preservation. If proposed TPE is in a restricted or low-value zone (e.g., floodplain), mitigation should consider additional ecological or recreational enhancements. Zoning Flood Data Slope Utility Access September 2025 Proposed UF Code Changes •167.04 HHOD (Under minimum % table) All zoning districts within the Hillside/Hilltop Overlay District shall have their percent minimum canopy requirements increased by 5% to a total requirement of either 30% or 25% •167.04(H)(1)(d): significant trees Any significant trees, as defined in §151: Definitions existing on the site, and the location of trunks, spread of the canopy, species, diameter at breast height (DBH), and the overall health of each significant tree; •167.04(L) – Clarify what disturbance/structures are permitted within tree preservation easements: (3) Tree preservation easements are established for the express purpose of protecting and maintaining existing tree canopy and associated root zones in perpetuity. Therefore, no grading, excavation, construction, trenching, or any other form of land disturbance or development activity shall be permitted within the boundaries of a recorded tree preservation easement. Furthermore, the removal, cutting, pruning, or otherwise damaging of any live tree located within a tree preservation easement is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized in writing by the Urban Forester. Requests for the removal or pruning of live trees may be submitted to the Urban Forester only in exceptional cases where a tree presents a verified hazard to life or property, or when such action is determined necessary to ensure the overall health and long-term viability of the tree preservation area. Any such activity must be conducted in accordance with best management practices approved by the Urban Forester, or under the supervision or direction of a certified arborist, and only after receipt of a written permit or authorization. Property owners wishing to remove diseased or dead trees from within a recorded tree preservation easement shall seek prior approval from the Urban Forester, who shall determine if such removal is consistent with sound arboricultural and horticultural practices, as well as the intent of this chapter. Any tree so removed shall be replaced with a tree of like or similar species, unless the Urban Forester determines that natural replacements of sufficient health and vigor are already present in the tree preservation easement. Unauthorized disturbance or removal activities within a tree preservation easement shall constitute a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to enforcement actions including, but not limited to, penalties, restoration requirements, and replanting with native or regionally appropriate tree species at a ratio determined by the Urban Forester. Signage indicating the protected status of tree preservation easements may be required at the discretion of the Urban Forester to deter unauthorized activities and ensure ongoing awareness of the easement boundaries and restrictions. •167.05(B) – Tree Protection Trees illustrated as preserved on tree preservation plans shall be protected from construction activity to prevent impingement by or the storage of construction vehicles, materials, debris, spoils or equipment in areas with preserved trees. No filling, excavating or other land disturbance shall take place in areas with preserved trees. Before commencing any construction activity, the applicant shall construct tree protection barriers on the site along the tree dripline or 10 feet from the trunk, whichever is greater. Before commencing any construction activity, the applicant shall construct tree protection barriers on the site at the appropriate distance to preserve a minimum of 50% of the critical root zone (1 ft per 1 inch DBH). No cut or fill, any deposit or stockpiling of earthen materials shall be located closer to the tree trunk than one-half the CRZ radial distance. If more than 50% of the tree's critical root zone is affected by construction the tree may be preserved but replacement plantings must be met as part of the mitigation requirements. The applicant shall also post signs [at] areas with preserved trees in accordance with the details, standards, specifications and guidelines provided in the City of Fayetteville Tree Preservation, Protection, and Landscape Manual. The Urban Forester may require other protective measures based upon the individual characteristics of the site and the proposed construction methods. Tree protection measures shall also protect any off-site trees, and the roots of which extend onto the site of the proposed construction. Any applicant damaging or destroying an off-site tree shall be required to mitigate such damage or destruction as prescribed by the Urban Forester. If the required barriers surrounding the areas with preserved trees are not adequately maintained during construction, the Urban Forester shall prescribe remedial measures and may issue a stop work order in accordance with §153.07(C). All remedial measures shall be completed within the specified amount of time and shall be considered prior to granting final plat approval or issuing a certificate of occupancy. •177.04(D)(2)(f) Shrub screening Screening. Parking lots containing five (5) or more spaces shall be screened from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties, where said parking areas are adjacent to residential residential uses, with shrubs and/or graded berms. If graded berms are used, shrubs are also required.