Urban Forestry Advisory Board — Fayetteville, AR
Date: 2025-07-02
Time: 16:00

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 Agenda July 2, 2025
Meeting




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


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



 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




City of Fayetteville, Arkansas page 3

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 Agenda July 2, 2025
Meeting




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


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



 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




City of Fayetteville, Arkansas page 3
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: _________________
 MITIGATING
FACTOR IMPACT DISCUSSION
 CONDITIONS


Preservation of Existing Tree Canopy

 Mature, Assess age, species, Younger or less valuable
 healthy, native condition, DBH, and canopy canopy can be mitigated
 canopy has coverage. Compare tree with documented
 higher inventory metrics between replanting plan, longer-
 preservation existing and proposed TPEs. term protection, or
 value 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
 MITIGATING
FACTOR IMPACT DISCUSSION
 CONDITIONS

 Higher value Compare geographic context If proposed TPE is outside
 preservation in of existing and proposed TPEs high-value zones,
 denser, heat- using zoning or heat island supplemental strategies
 prone, or maps. Urban core or (e.g. heat island mitigation
 nature- underserved areas have elsewhere) may be
 isolated areas elevated value due to greater considered.
 community and ecological
 need.

Tree Equity
Score

Priority Planting
Areas

Climate
Resilience
Score

Heat Island
Effect

Public Benefit

 Higher value if Evaluate habitat quality for Isolated or less accessible
 preservation birds and wildlife; human areas may be mitigated
 supports exposure factors like trail through greenway
 biodiversity or adjacency, visibility, and connections, signage, or
 human use recreational access. enhancement planting.

Land Use &
Enduring Green
Network
 MITIGATING
FACTOR IMPACT DISCUSSION
 CONDITIONS

Housing Supply

Habitat of
Interest

Economic and Environmental Value

 Preservation of Evaluate developability of If proposed TPE is in a
 more existing and proposed TPEs restricted or low-value
 developable using data on zoning, zone (e.g., floodplain),
 land holds floodplains, slopes, utility mitigation should consider
 greater access, etc. More additional ecological or
 economic developable land represents recreational
 trade-off a higher-value preservation. 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.