Commissioner Noble reappointed to tree advocacy committee as commission flags 8% canopy loss

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to appoint Commissioner Douglas Noble as the planning commission's member on the Tree Advocacy Committee for a two-year term.

Kelly O'Brien reminded the commission the committee has four council-appointed members, two student members and a planning commission representative; Noble said he is willing to continue and the commission moved and approved his reappointment. "We're starting work on the urban forestry management plan," Noble said, previewing the committee's agenda.

Noble said the town has lost roughly 8% of its tree canopy over the last four years and described the complexity of increasing canopy in private front yards because of utilities, driveways and setbacks. Commissioner Miller and staff noted the Vienna 250 program offering free three-gallon trees to homeowners; O'Brien said program details are posted on Parks and Rec and V N 250 pages. The appointment passed on a roll-call vote.