Massive Residential Up-zoning Proposal at the July 12 Arlington Board Meeting Will Devastate the Tree Canopy
ATAG has circulated the following press release. A PDF copy is available for distribution.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Susan Land – susanjland@yahoo.com – 703-587-9483
Eric Ackerman - thurstonackerman@gmail.com – 571-635-6137
Arlington, Virginia – July 7, 2022. At a July 12 work session, the Arlington County Board plans to greenlight the next phase of zoning changes on all single-family residential zones in the county (R5 – R20). As a result, standards for nearly 60% of Arlington’s existing tree canopy will be slashed in half. Implementation of only 20% of the planned rezoning would remove 584 acres of tree canopy, an area equivalent to 9 Pentagon parking lots.
The County’s “Missing Middle Framework” (MM) housing proposal will accelerate the loss of trees at a time when the Arlington Tree Action Group (ATAG) believes we need tougher zoning requirements to preserve Arlington’s tree canopy. The 49% reduction in tree canopy replacements from a minimum of 20% to 10% (and in a very narrow instance (R-20), 15%) would be a “game-changer” for our urban forest. ATAG calls for an immediate moratorium on Missing Middle planning until these effects can be thoroughly analyzed, clearly explained to the community, and effective community input can be conducted to avoid further tree loss at a critical time for climate change.
ATAG disputes Arlington County’s claim that a 20% minimum tree canopy requirement can be maintained with the new MM up-zoning. The current tree canopy rules mandated by state law say that tree canopy minimums (TCM’s) are based on how the property is zoned, not what is ultimately built on the property. The detailed “Analysis of Arlington County’s “Missing Middle” Housing Plan’s Effect on Tree Canopy” performed by Arlington Transparency (@ArlTransparency; ArlingtonTransparency@gmail.com) using County data proves the loss of trees would be devastating. Policy changes that wreak consequences of this magnitude should be carefully examined using the best available data, a process that appears missing from the County’s “Missing Middle” plan.
If the current MM framework is adopted, every residential property currently in R5 – R10 zones could be redeveloped for up to 8 units each putting them in the 10% minimum tree canopy category, no matter what gets built on the site. ATAG analysis shows the effect of the proposal by zoning category. ATAG has raised this concern with the County through several avenues but has not received any real assurance that the county’s interpretation of their 20% rule will prevail given the state’s rules. The county needs to disclose immediately the basis for this claim, along with its claim that Arlington will be able to achieve a canopy ‘up to 50%’ in residential areas if it proceeds with new zoning.
ATAG has documented the need for no less than full, rigorous analyses to verify Arlington’s tree canopy, it’s effect on flood mitigation, and climate change. To see the full analysis of the MM impacts on Arlington’s tree canopy go to this page on the ATAG website.
Important facts include:
· 70% (4,408 acres) of Arlington’s tree canopy is in residential areas
· 59% (3,713 acres) of Arlington’s tree canopy will be re-zoned by the MM plan
· MM plan will result in a 49% reduction in tree canopy preservation and replacements
The adverse environmental effects if the MM framework is enacted as the County envisions include:
· 34,000 trees lost
· 583.8 acres of canopy lost
· 924 tons of oxygen production lost each year
· 430 tons of carbon no longer sequestered annually by standing trees
· Increased storm runoff by 480,000 cubic feet each year
About the Arlington Tree Action Group
Arlington Tree Action Group (ATAG) is a movement of citizens working to preserve and grow Arlington, Virginia’s urban forest. Our mission is to keep Arlington green and fulfill the goals of the Urban Forest Master Plan of 2004. ATAG welcomes all concerned citizens to join us in advocating for our tree canopy.
https://arlingtontreeactiongroup.org
Facebook: ArlingtonTreeActionGroup
Twitter: @ArlingtonTreeActionGroup