Sample letters to Developers

 SAMPLE 1:

Dear _____,

 On behalf of neighbors in ___________ Civic Association, we are following up on our March 4 letter to urge your company to save valuable trees while developing the lot at ____ Street North-- particularly the healthy willow oak, as well as smaller trees on the edges of the lot.

 Protecting as many trees as possible will benefit the neighborhood, contribute to cooling, mitigate climate change, improve air quality, provide homes for birds and other wildlife, and help prevent flooding—a curse impacting residents across the county.

In working with other developers, we are finding creative steps make it possible to build ample homes around mature trees, thereby accruing the many benefits to the home owner, neighbors, and community as a whole.

As you know, trees provide tangible economic, health, and environmental benefits, as underscored again in recent research by Arlington County: https://environment.arlingtonva.us/i-tree-eco/More and more research attests to the huge difference in storm water interception between a mature tree and saplings. Trees are a natural bulwark against climate change. It's also estimated that a mature tree can increase a property's value by 10% or more.

Several of us live nearby and would be glad to meet. We enjoy sharing this wonderful neighborhood with you, and see from your own property you appreciate tree canopy. We look forward to hearing from you.

 Sincerely,

(AS MANY SIGNATURES AS POSSIBLE)

Attached: Sheet of signatures from neighbors

SAMPLE 2: 

Dear ___________:

We are writing to you today on behalf of the neighbors of your property at __________ in Arlington.  They have contacted us regarding the new construction your company is proposing for that site. 

There are two very large oak trees in the front yard of that property.  While we understand that the oak closest to the house cannot be preserved, we feel that the oak closest to the street can and should be saved during construction. 

The large tree on this property is important to this neighborhood and to Arlington as a whole.  Preserving the mature tree canopy in Arlington is vitally important to the community for the following reasons:

  •  Flood Prevention – One mature tree can absorb up to 10,000 gallons of storm water each year – the equivalent of a large swimming pool.

  • Increase in Property Values – The presence of mature trees on your property and in our neighborhood can increase your property value by 10%.

  • Wildlife Protection – Arlington has a population of songbirds, red-tail hawks, and owls that depend on mature trees to nest in.  Insects that live in these trees are key to the entire food chain.

  • Reduction in Cooling Costs – Mature trees provide shade that can reduce your air conditioning needs by 30%. The Dept. of Energy says even three properly placed trees can save hundreds of dollars a year.

  • Reducing Urban Heat Island Effect and Air Pollution – Mature trees help to address climate change and improve community health.

  • Psychological Health - Particularly in the time of COVID-19 we have seen that a connection to nature improves our mental well-being.

We believe that the house you are planning to build can still be built on the lot while preserving the large oak in front by simply adjusting the driveway to be narrower around this tree.  Driveway adjustments have been made successfully on other lots in the county to preserve mature trees.  6593 Williamsburg Blvd. by Sekas Homes is a good example of this.

I’m sure you agree that losing a 40-year-old tree due to a driveway is extremely wasteful. 

We would like to talk with you about this by telephone.  We will call this week to see if we can get in touch with you.  

Sincerely,

(AS MANY SIGNATURES AS POSSIBLE)

Attach signature forms with as many neighbors as possible.