Urban Forestry Advisory Board — Fayetteville, AR
Date: 2025-06-04
Time: 16:00

100 W. Rock St, Suite 246
 Fayetteville, AR 72701



Urban Forestry Advisory Board Agenda
 Wednesday, June 4, 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. - Joseph Fox (Exp: 12/26)
 Resident at Large Rep. - Kate Shirley (Exp: 12/26)
  Resident at Large Rep. - Nathan Walker (Exp: 12/25)
 Resident at Large Rep. - Taz Zinck (Exp: 12/26)
 Tree Service Rep. - Bethany Douglas (Exp: 12/26)

 City Staff
 Urban Forester - John Scott
 Urban Forester - Willa Thomason
Urban Forestry Advisory Board Agenda June 4, 2025
Meeting




Zoom Information
 Webinar ID: 836 3793 8661 Passcode: 113212
 Registration Link: https://fayetteville-
 ar.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jL9C9LPfRTC4GziSYVLpJA

Call to Order
Roll Call
 Approval of the May 7, 2025 Urban Forestry Advisory Board Meeting Minutes.
 The minutes are video archived. The committee approved the motions for the
 previous month's meeting.

Reports and Presentations
 Board Member Presentation
 June - Carlo
 July - Jim
 August - Bethany or Katie
 September - Hanna or Katie

 Spring Activity Report
 John Scott

 Tree Vacation Presentation
 Jenny Burbidge and Sean Johnson with Prism. Ozark Electric. (Information Packet
 included).

 The current criteria to vacate a Tree Preservation Easement is that the applicant
 must prove that this is in the best interest of the City. “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. 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. 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."

Unfinished Business
 SOP for Tree Preservation Easement Vacation Request
 According to the City Clerk, notification to the public is required 2 hours prior to a
 meeting. Willa will include the results of our vote in her memo to the City Council.


City of Fayetteville, Arkansas page 2
Urban Forestry Advisory Board Agenda June 4, 2025
Meeting

 Code change to require a Tree Preservation Vacation request to come before
 the board at our next meeting
 Proposed by Council Member Moore.

 Code Changes for September

 • Escrow Limits or Escrow Elimination
 • Not hitting the minimum requirement requires a variance to the Planning
 Commission
 • Critical Root Zone
 • Clarify what disturbance/Structures are permitted
 • HHOD Change
 • Significant Tree
 • Shrub Screening


 The Food Foraging Map is Available

 Fayetteville Community Forester

 Emerald Ash Borer Plan

 The Mulch Sub-Committee

 Fall Projects

 • Celebration of Trees
 • Tree Planting
 • Hiking with the Forester- September with Ozark Education Center


New Business
 POA Detention Ponds
 We need to decide where we want to focus on in the fall.

 Neighborhood Plantings
 We need to decide where we want our focus to be in the Fall.

Announcements
 Bethany Douglas


City of Fayetteville, Arkansas page 3
Urban Forestry Advisory Board Agenda June 4, 2025
Meeting

Adjournment


NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE
Urban Forestry Advisory Board meetings may be attended in-person or virtually by the
public. During the meeting, community members have the opportunity to address the board
at a designated time.

Citizens may propose items to be included in the board's agenda. To submit an item for
consideration, e-mail the Urban Forestry Advisory Board team at least one week prior to the
meeting.




City of Fayetteville, Arkansas page 4

100 W. Rock St, Suite 246
 Fayetteville, AR 72701



Urban Forestry Advisory Board Agenda
 Wednesday, June 4, 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. - Joseph Fox (Exp: 12/26)
 Resident at Large Rep. - Kate Shirley (Exp: 12/26)
  Resident at Large Rep. - Nathan Walker (Exp: 12/25)
 Resident at Large Rep. - Taz Zinck (Exp: 12/26)
 Tree Service Rep. - Bethany Douglas (Exp: 12/26)

 City Staff
 Urban Forester - John Scott
 Urban Forester - Willa Thomason
Urban Forestry Advisory Board Agenda June 4, 2025
Meeting




Zoom Information
 Webinar ID: 836 3793 8661 Passcode: 113212
 Registration Link: https://fayetteville-
 ar.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jL9C9LPfRTC4GziSYVLpJA

Call to Order
Roll Call
 Approval of the May 7, 2025 Urban Forestry Advisory Board Meeting Minutes.
 The minutes are video archived. The committee approved the motions for the
 previous month's meeting.

Reports and Presentations
 Board Member Presentation
 June - Carlo
 July - Jim
 August - Bethany or Katie
 September - Hanna or Katie

 Spring Activity Report
 John Scott

 Tree Vacation Presentation
 Jenny Burbidge and Sean Johnson with Prism. Ozark Electric. (Information Packet
 included).

 The current criteria to vacate a Tree Preservation Easement is that the applicant
 must prove that this is in the best interest of the City. “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. 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. 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."

Unfinished Business
 SOP for Tree Preservation Easement Vacation Request
 According to the City Clerk, notification to the public is required 2 hours prior to a
 meeting. Willa will include the results of our vote in her memo to the City Council.


City of Fayetteville, Arkansas page 2
Urban Forestry Advisory Board Agenda June 4, 2025
Meeting

 Code change to require a Tree Preservation Vacation request to come before
 the board at our next meeting
 Proposed by Council Member Moore.

 Code Changes for September

 • Escrow Limits or Escrow Elimination
 • Not hitting the minimum requirement requires a variance to the Planning
 Commission
 • Critical Root Zone
 • Clarify what disturbance/Structures are permitted
 • HHOD Change
 • Significant Tree
 • Shrub Screening


 The Food Foraging Map is Available

 Fayetteville Community Forester

 Emerald Ash Borer Plan

 The Mulch Sub-Committee

 Fall Projects

 • Celebration of Trees
 • Tree Planting
 • Hiking with the Forester- September with Ozark Education Center


New Business
 POA Detention Ponds
 We need to decide where we want to focus on in the fall.

 Neighborhood Plantings
 We need to decide where we want our focus to be in the Fall.

Announcements
 Bethany Douglas


City of Fayetteville, Arkansas page 3
Urban Forestry Advisory Board Agenda June 4, 2025
Meeting

Adjournment


NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE
Urban Forestry Advisory Board meetings may be attended in-person or virtually by the
public. During the meeting, community members have the opportunity to address the board
at a designated time.

Citizens may propose items to be included in the board's agenda. To submit an item for
consideration, e-mail the Urban Forestry Advisory Board team at least one week prior to the
meeting.




City of Fayetteville, Arkansas page 4
 CITY COUNCIL MEMO
 2025-366


MEETING OF APRIL 29, 2025
TO: Mayor Rawn and City Council
THRU: Keith Macedo, Chief of Staff
 Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director
 Jessica Masters, Development Review Manager
FROM: Willa Thomason, Urban Forester
SUBJECT: VAC-2025-0013: Vacation (3661 W WEDINGTON DR.): Submitted by CRAFTON TULL
 & ASSOCIATES for property located at 3661 W WEDINGTON DR. The property is
 zoned R-A, RESIDENTIAL-AGRICULTURAL and contains approximately 32.60 acres.
 The request is to vacate a 0.95-acre tree preservation easement.


RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends conditional approval of VAC-2025-0013, the vacation of the tree preservation easement as
shown in the attached Exhibit 'C', with the following conditions of approval:
-The applicant must dedicate a new 2.3-acre tree preservation easement approximately 1,200 ft. south of the
existing tree preservation easement and directly abutting another existing 5.30-acre tree preservation
easement on the Ozarks Electric campus (Exhibit F1).
-The applicant must plant 48 mitigation trees within the existing 5.30-acre easement situated 850 ft. south of
the easement to be vacated to mitigate for the removal of 0.69 acres of canopy from within the existing 0.95-
acre easement.

BACKGROUND:
The subject property is approximately 0.50 miles west of I-49, north of Owl Creek, and just south of W.
Wedington Dr. The site is relatively flat, with elevations ranging from roughly 1,260 ft at the northern edge to
1,240 ft. at the southernmost point adjacent to W. Persimmon St. The property is zoned R-A, Residential-
Agricultural and is currently the location of Wesco Distribution Inc. and is a part of the Ozarks Electric campus.
Approximately 0.69-acres of the 0.95-acre tree preservation easement are in canopy-cover.

Request: The applicant proposes to vacate a 0.95-acre tree preservation easement on the property that was
dedicated in 2008. The easement is located within the Ozarks Electric Cooperative development area.

DISCUSSION:
City of Fayetteville staff recommends in favor of the requested easement vacation, with the conditions as
outlined above. The 0.95-acre easement the applicant is requesting to vacate is surrounded by an impervious
area and is comprised of four species: hardy pecan (Carya illinoiensis), white ash (Fraxinus americana), pin
oak (Quercus pallustris), and red maple (Acer rubrum). While the vacation of this easement would result in the
loss of ~0.69 acres of mature tree canopy, the proposed 2.3-acre easement includes approximately 2.2 acres
of canopy, translating to a net canopy increase of 1.61 acres. The dedication of this new easement, along with
the requirement to install mitigation trees, would increase the contiguous canopy and ecosystem services on
this site. The installation of trees will also provide ecosystem services throughout the Owl Creek watershed,
Mailing address:
113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov
Fayetteville, AR 72701
helping to slow the rate of storm water runoff, settling and holding sediment and reducing downstream flooding.
Additionally, the proposed easement is adjacent to a 5.3-acre existing tree preservation easement, potentially
enhancing biodiversity and creating a more robust wildlife habitat corridor.

From a city planning perspective, the existing and proposed easements lie within the same census block
group, which has a high Tree Equity Score (TES) of 99—ranking 20th out of 68 block groups in Fayetteville
and exceeding the city’s average TES of 87. The area also currently has a 49% tree canopy cover and is
considered a low-priority planting area, given its proximity to the city’s 50% canopy goal.

Land use designations also support the proposed change. The existing easement lies within a “City
Neighborhood” future land use designation, where development typically features urban landscaping, such as
street trees. In contrast, the proposed easement is within both “Residential Neighborhood” and “Natural”
designations. These categories emphasize development that respects natural features or preserves wilderness
conditions. The proposed easement also falls within the City’s Enduring Green Network, further aligning it with
long-term conservation objectives.

In terms of housing supply and development, the vacation does not appear to impact residential development,
as the parcel belongs to the Ozark Electric Cooperative campus and is associated with Wesco Distribution Inc.
No housing is currently planned, and the applicant may provide more details regarding future use.

In conclusion, while the proposal involves the removal of a mature, healthy, and ecologically valuable
easement, the staff-supported alternative offers greater overall benefits in terms of tree canopy protection,
ecological connectivity, and alignment with city plans. The recommendation balances environmental
stewardship with the city's strategic planning goals.


FACTOR IMPACT DISCUSSION MITIGATING CONDITIONS
Preservation of Existing Tree Canopy
Net Easement Positive (+) The applicant proposes to Staff and the Urban Forestry
Change vacate a 0.95-acre tree Advisory Board recommend
 preservation easement. The that the applicant dedicate a
 parcel proposed as new tree 2.3-acre tree preservation
 preservation easements totals 1 easement, for a net increase
 acre, for a net increase of 0.31 of 1.3 acres in tree
 acres in tree preservation preservation easement
 easement (Exhibit F). (Exhibit F1).
Net Canopy Positive (+) The existing 0.95-acre easement In addition to the protection of
Change contains roughly 0.69-acres of an additional 1.6 acres of tree
 canopy cover. The staff- canopy, staff recommends
 proposed 2.3-acre easement that 48 mitigation trees are
 contains 2.2 acres of canopy planted within the existing
 cover, for a net canopy increase 5.3-acre tree preservation
 of 1.61 acres of protected tree easement situated ~850 ft.
 canopy. south of the easement to be
 vacated.

Preservation of Negative (-) 56% of the trees in the subject While a tree survey has not
Significant easement are at or above the been conducted within the
Trees 18” DBH threshold for proposed easement, there
 “significant trees” as defined in appear to be numerous

Mailing address:
113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov
Fayetteville, AR 72701
 UDC §155. significant trees.
Preservation of Negative (-) All the trees comprising the 0.69 Although 0.69-acres of
Healthy Trees acres of canopy within the healthy canopy would be
 existing easement appear to be removed with this easement
 healthy. vacation, a net increase of 1.6
 acres of canopy would be
 protected with the proposed
 easement dedication.
 Additionally, 48 mitigation
 trees would be planted to
 account for tree removal.
Preservation of Negative (-) Most of the trees within the Although 0.69-acres of
Beneficial existing easement to be vacated healthy canopy would be
Trees are mature, healthy, and removed with this easement
 undoubtably providing vacation, a net increase of 1.6
 ecosystem services including acres of canopy would be
 carbon sequestration, protected with the proposed
 improvements to air quality, and easement dedication.
 stormwater filtration. Additionally, 48 mitigation
 trees would be planted to
 account for tree removal. The
 proposed tree preservation
 easement abuts another 5.3-
 acre easement, providing
 potential for increased
 biodiversity and wildlife
 habitat through continued
 protection.
Interaction with Urban Forestry Management Plan
Tree Equity Positive (+) The existing tree preservation The proposed easement is
Score easement is within a census within the same census block
 block group with a Tree Equity as the easement to be
 Score (TES) of 99 and 49% tree vacated and has the same
 canopy cover. This ranks 20th of TES.
 Fayetteville’s 68 block groups
 and is above Fayetteville’s
 composite Tree Equity Score of
 87.
Priority Planting Positive (+) The existing easement is a low Although 0.69-acres of
Areas priority planting area based on canopy would be removed
 its high Tree Equity Score and with this easement vacation, a
 49% tree canopy cover. This net increase of 1.6 acres of
 census block group has a tree canopy would be protected
 canopy cover goal of 50%. with the proposed easement
 dedication. Additionally, 48
 mitigation trees would be
 planted to account for tree
 removal.
Interaction with Other City Plans & Objectives
Land Use & Positive (+) The existing easement is N/A
Enduring Green contained within a “City
Mailing address:
113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Network Neighborhood” future land use
 designation and, per City Plan
 2040, landscaping in this land
 use designation is urban in form,
 typically with street trees in
 sidewalk zones. The existing
 easement is not within the
 Enduring Green Network.

 The proposed tree preservation
 is contained both within a
 “Residential Neighborhood” and
 a “Natural” future land use
 designation. “Residential
 Neighborhood” areas are meant
 to encourage development
 patterns that respond to features
 of the natural environment, and
 “Natural” areas are intended to
 approximate wilderness
 conditions with limited
 development. The proposed
 easement is situated within the
 City’s Enduring Green Network.
Housing Supply Neutral The purpose of the vacation N/A
 request has not been
 communicated to staff, but the
 easement is within the
 Fayetteville headquarters of
 Wesco Distribution Inc. on a
 parcel owned by the Ozark
 Electric Cooperative campus,
 and planned development will
 not be residential. The applicant
 can speak to development plans.


BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT:
N/A

ATTACHMENTS: SRF (#3) , Exhibit A - Applicant Request Letter (#4), Exhibit B - Applicant Petition to Vacate
(#5), Exhibit C - Proposed Easement Vacation (#6), Exhibit D - Easement Vacation Site Map (#7), Exhibit E -
Easement Vacation Description (#8), Exhibit F - Applicant Proposed Easement Dedication (#9), Exhibit F1 -
Staff Proposed Easement Dedication (#10)




Mailing address:
113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov
Fayetteville, AR 72701
 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas 113 West Mountain Street
 Fayetteville, AR 72701
 (479) 575-8323
 Legislation Text


File #: 2025-366

AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE VAC-25-13 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3661 WEST
WEDINGTON DRIVE IN WARD 4 TO VACATE 0.95 ACRES OF TREE PRESERVATION

WHEREAS, the City Council has the authority under A.C.A. § 14-54-104 to vacate public grounds or
portions thereof which are not required for corporate purposes; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the following described portion of tree preservation
is not required for corporate purposes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:

Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby vacates the portion of tree
preservation as described in Exhibit E attached to the Planning Department’s agenda memo.

Section 2: A copy of this Ordinance duly certified by the City Clerk along with the drawing attached as
Exhibit C and the map attached as Exhibit D to the Planning Department’s agenda memo shall be filed
in the office of the Washington County Circuit Clerk.

Section 3: This vacation shall not be effective until the following conditions have been satisfied:


 1. The applicant shall dedicate a new 2.3-acre tree preservation easement approximately 1,200 feet
 south of the existing tree preservation easement and directly abutting another existing 5.30-acre
 tree preservation easement on the Ozarks Electric Campus as shown in Exhibit F1 attached to the
 agenda memo.
 2. The applicant shall plant 48 mitigation trees within the existing 5.30-acre easement to the south
 that was dedicated by Plat #23-332 to mitigate for the removal of 0.69 acres of canopy from
 within the existing 0.95-acre easement.




 Page 1
 City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form

 2025-366
 Item ID
 5/6/2025
 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only
 N/A for Non-Agenda Item

 Willa Thomason 4/18/2025 DEVELOPMENT REVIEW (630)
 Submitted By Submitted Date Division / Department
 Action Recommendation:
 VAC-2025-0013: Vacation (3661 W WEDINGTON DR.): Submitted by CRAFTON TULL & ASSOCIATES for property
 located at 3661 W WEDINGTON DR. The property is zoned R-A, RESIDENTIAL-AGRICULTURAL and contains
 approximately 32.60 acres. The request is to vacate a 0.95-acre tree preservation easement.




 Budget Impact:


 Account Number Fund



 Project Number Project Title

 Budgeted Item? No Total Amended Budget $ -
 Expenses (Actual+Encum) $ -
 Available Budget $ -
 Does item have a direct cost? No Item Cost
 Is a Budget Adjustment attached? No Budget Adjustment $ -
 Remaining Budget $ -


 V20221130
Purchase Order Number: Previous Ordinance or Resolution #

Change Order Number: Approval Date:

Original Contract Number:

Comments:
Exhibit F - Applicant Proposed Easement Dedication
UFAB Motion Log

Meeting Date and Time 05 07- 2025

Subject: Vacation Request from Ozarks Electric

Motion: “I move that we recommend to City Council that we decline this vacation request for the
reasoning that they have not satisfactorily described why this is in the best interest of the city.

Motion Made By: Nathan Walker

Second By: John Fox

Vote: 6-0 in favor; motion passes.