The Cape Charles Town Council has approved a Tree Planting Plan. While the Town Council formally established the Cape Charles Tree Advisory Board (TAB) and recognized it as an advisory group of local citizens, this approval may lead to a comprehensive tree planting program.
Not every member of the Town Council agreed. Councilman Follmer and Bennett voted against the plan. Bennett argued that the whole thing seemed half-baked, and not ready for prime time–essentially, he did not find any aspect of it resembling a ‘plan’ for the future. Councilman Butta also noted that it did not address any of the dead trees in town and that should have been the priority.
The plan was originally titled ‘Master Tree Planting Plan’, however, during discussion, the Town Council felt that the term ‘Master’ was inaccurate and needed to be removed. An amendment was added changing the title to ‘Tree Planting Plan’.
Since its proposal in 2019, TAB has operated as a group committed to growing, promoting, and safeguarding the town’s valuable tree canopy.
During the development of the Fiscal Year 2024 Town budget, TAB successfully secured a line item within the Public Works budget dedicated to promoting trees. This allocation, amounting to $10,000 for the current fiscal year, reflects the town’s commitment to fostering a green environment, particularly within the historic district.
Background
Post the budget approval, TAB moved to establish a comprehensive tree-planting program for the town. Given that the majority of existing and proposed trees fall within public rights-of-way, primarily under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), TAB collaborated with the state agency to coordinate efforts.
VDOT, however, mandated a Council Resolution adopting a planting plan before approving any new trees in the rights-of-way. The approved Tree Planting Plan serves this purpose, ensuring compliance with VDOT requirements while securing Town Council support for the initiative.
Key Points of the Plan
- Multi-Year Approach: The attached plan outlines a multi-year strategy for tree planting, emphasizing a phased approach. While the document presents a broader vision, the primary focus remains on the Year One phase.
- Annual Updates: Recognizing the dynamic nature of available funding and changing circumstances, the plan is designed to be updated annually. Future phases will undergo additional approvals, allowing flexibility in responding to evolving needs.
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