Vienna is considering an update to its Green Streets policy that would remove the power of residents and developers to veto tree plantings on town-owned property adjacent to their land.
At its meeting Monday (June 1), the Vienna Town Council voted 5-2 to table the proposal until a work session on July 6.
Tree conservation has been an important issue in Vienna for several years since a study released in 2022 found that the town’s tree canopy had declined over the past decade.
A tree conservation ordinance adopted in 2024 requires anyone building on at least 2,500 square feet of land to cover 10% to 25% of the property with tree shade, depending on its zoning district. The developer must try to preserve existing trees before removing and replacing them to meet the 20-year canopy requirement.
The ordinance also created the Tree Advocacy Committee, which recommended the Green Streets policy change proposed to the council.
Currently, residents and developers can opt out of town-planted trees on right of way — including near sidewalks, parking areas and utilities — adjacent to their property. After property owners declined approximately 18% of tree plantings proposed in 2024 and 2025, the committee is now proposing eliminating that option.
However, the council wasn’t sold on totally eliminating it. Some supported only requiring developers to accept the trees, and others wanted residents to have the option of challenging the town arborist’s decisions.
“I would like for the policy to have an escape valve — a way for a Vienna resident to appeal the decision of the town arborist up to the Town Council,” said Councilmember Roy Baldwin.
Councilmember Doug Francis was in favor of removing developers’ option to veto a tree planting.
“When they go in, they should know that the town is going to plant at least one tree on that right of way right there,” he said. “It’s very important that that tree actually get planted.”
Some council members were concerned about the capacity for town staff to maintain a growing number of trees.
Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Herman said there’s a part-time staffer whose job it is to maintain new trees, and pruning occurs on a scheduled basis. Councilmember Chuck Anderson also pointed out that the council would have to allocate funds for new plantings and could thus manage growth.
“We have to approve the money,” he said. “This isn’t really a capacity issue.”
After the July 6 work session, the proposal will be placed on a town council agenda “as soon as practicable,” Baldwin said.
