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May 2018 Tree Takeaways – Lyon Park Presentation by ATAG Member Anne Bodine to UFC. Residential by-right zoning changes virtually guarantee clear cuts of lots Arlington authorities and regs are unclear This leads to finger-pointing and confusion for citizens who want to engage
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May 2018 Tree Takeaways – Lyon ParkPresentation by ATAG Member Anne Bodine to UFC • Residential by-right zoning changes virtually guarantee clear cuts of lots • Arlington authorities and regs are unclear • This leads to finger-pointing and confusion for citizens who want to engage • There is strong citizen interest in better and more tree preservation in Arlington/Lyon Park
Case Studies • 309 N. Fillmore – tried to get builder to save tree at property line with my lot, failed • 213 N. Edgewood – in May 2018, engaged all parties to seek salvation of 7 mature tulip poplars • Trees marked for removal and citizens engaged May 8, with calls, petitions • Owner cut all tulip poplars (+ others) May 15
County Arguments (Arborist) • No legal impediment to owners’ decision • Too costly to redo site plan to save single tree • Owner wants to remove trees, to maximize by-right Single Family Home (SFH) build • “Dillon” rules at State level prevent counties from engaging more vigorously for trees • Owner will replace 13 trees with six new ones (2 each maple, holly, redbud)
Owner/Builder Arguments • Sought property in LP for its “lovely trees” • County said trees will die from site buildout so trees must come down; we tried but could not change house design • Lot grading impeded by mature trees onsite • Similar tulip poplars fell and damaged homes • Too costly to redo site plan, too late in the game
State Del. Patrick Hope Arguments • No one complains to us about tree loss on private lots • Richmond is NOT the appropriate address • Arlington can seek special regs, has not, and the county controls zoning
Tree Advocate Argument • Each side blames others; opacity ensures concerned neighbors cannot affect end-state • Edgewood site is very large with poplars close to property line; it can accommodate both McMansion and tree canopy (see next slide) • Many private owners have spared trees in similar SFHbuilds/remodels in LP • Owners getting “credit” for protecting “offsite” trees and planting “replacements” does not ameliorate major canopy damage
Citizen Interest/Next Steps? • Petition to save the tall tulip poplars received strong support, garnering approx. 225 signatures from May 8-16 (copy to UFC) • Approx. 80% of signatories are county residents • 80% of the county residents are from Lyon Park / Ashton Heights • We need better process for all parties to engage on behalf of our dwindling tree canopy, STOP clear cuts (see next slides)