Planning 2013-06-27 Item 4 H - Public Hearing: Advisory Committee Meeting Memos and Minutes

Browse Search

Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee Meeting Notes Meeting 2, November 1, 2012 Committee Members in Attendance: Sean Albert, Nancy Eklund, De'Sean Quinn (arrived 6:40 p.m.), Stephen Reilly, Don Scanlon, David Shumate, Heidi Watters, Kathleen Wilson Committee Members Absent: Christian Faltenberger Members of the Public in Attendance: Daryl Tapio, Sharon Mann Staff in Attendance: Carol Lumb, Sandra Whiting The meeting began at 6:05 p.m. Topics of Discussion: 1. Brief introductions of committee members and staff, members of the public in attendance. 2. Public comment: (Time will be set aside at the beginning of each meeting for brief public comments; the Committee is meeting in work session format, therefore, questions or comments from the public that come up during the course of the meeting should be directed to staff via e-mail or telephone calls after the meeting.) There was no public comment 3. Powerpoint presentation by Linden Lampman, Urban and Community Forestry Specialist for Washington State Department of Natural Resources. A copy of her powerpoint will be posted on the City's Urban Forestry web page and provided to the Committee members. Ms. Lampman provided background information on urban forestry and the importance of having an urban forestry program and she discussed the benefits of trees, including the social, environmental, and economic benefits. Ms. Lampman provided some resource materials to the Committee including: an article called "The Case for Large Trees vs. Small Trees; a brochure on Trees and Parking Lots, and a brochure on "How to Prevent Tree /Sign Conflicts ". The Committee exchanged questions and comments with Ms. Lampman, including: • Getting away from a linear planting approach, and considering grouping of trees, especially where there are space limitations — as well as not using only one or two types of trees for street plantings — when a tree disease strikes, you can lose a substantial amount of your tree canopy; • Making sure underground utility lines are identified on landscape plans to avoid tree root /pipe conflicts; • Being mindful of where trees are planted - right tree (try developing approved tree lists for various site conditions), right place — to avoid conflicts between structures and trees, particularly during storm events; • Trees and parking lots — the type and amount of trees required can depend on whether the parking lot is serving commercial or industrial uses and conflicts between trees and lighting can be minimized by carefully locating lights away from tree islands or installing lower lights that won't be shaded by large trees; • Urban areas are not a native setting — use of native trees falls in the "right tree -right place" category — native trees are often too big for urban areas or the environmental conditions do not support what native trees require; • Using incentives to preserve trees is good policy • Using structural soils for trees in parking lots or for street trees can allow for larger trees in smaller planting spaces. CL Page 1 of 2 11/13/2012 4:58 PM W:\ \Long Range Projects \Urban Forestry\Advisory Committee Materials \Meeting Notes 11 -1 -12 99