Urban Forest Master Plan
approvedStatus set at Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session on Mar 9, 2026 · ▶ watch the moment
Project wiki — a maintained overview, meeting history, and recorded positions.
- Proposed
- Under reviewSep 23, 2024
- approvedFeb 9, 2026
Summary
The Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) is the City of Fairfax's first 20-year roadmap for stewardship of its urban forest, developed by staff Urban Forester Anna Safford and consultant Dr. Garrett Wolf of Marstel-Day. The planning process began in mid-2024 with public open houses (September 2024, October 2024, October 2025), stakeholder interviews, and multiple work session presentations to both the Planning Commission and City Council. Phase 1 (information gathering) was completed and Phase 2 (plan development) was finalized by December 2025. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended adoption (5-0) on February 9, 2026, and City Council adopted the December 2025 draft via resolution R-26-07 unanimously (6-0) on February 10, 2026, following a public hearing at which a substitute motion requiring a progress report by July 2026 failed 2-4. On July 14, 2026, Council received a work session update on the plan's one-year implementation plan and five-year outlook, including a dashboard tracking ~50% of one-to-five-year actions as initiated; no formal action was taken at that session.
Open questions & options on the table
- Consolidation of lead responsibility among the three departments involved in urban forestry implementation has been recommended but not yet resolved.
- Establishment of specific targets and timelines for key performance indicators (KPIs) is deferred pending baseline assessment, with a comprehensive plan review anticipated at the five-year mark.
- Review of existing tree regulations within the zoning ordinance was initiated in 2026 and is ongoing.
- Reporting cycle coordination (annual State of the Urban Forest report, quarterly updates, periodic public engagement) is being refined as the program evolves.
- Budget and staffing investments with the greatest impact on UFMP goals are under consideration as part of upcoming budget season discussions.
What members have said
Voted yes on the 5-0 Planning Commission recommendation to adopt the UFMP on February 9, 2026. Attended the October 23, 2025 Urban Forest Master Plan public presentation meeting, as noted in the October 27, 2025 commission comments.
Voted yes on the failed substitute motion (February 10, 2026) that would have required the Urban Forester to report to Council by July 2026 on the establishment of targets and timelines, and also voted yes on the final adoption motion.
Voted yes on the failed substitute motion (February 10, 2026) requiring a progress report by July 2026 on targets and timelines, and also voted yes on the final adoption motion.
Voted no on the substitute motion requiring a July 2026 progress report on targets and timelines, and voted yes on the final adoption of the UFMP on February 10, 2026.
Voted no on the substitute motion requiring a July 2026 progress report on targets and timelines, and voted yes on the final adoption of the UFMP on February 10, 2026.
Voted no on the substitute motion requiring a July 2026 progress report on targets and timelines, and voted yes on the final adoption of the UFMP on February 10, 2026.
Voted no on the substitute motion requiring a July 2026 progress report on targets and timelines, and voted yes on the final adoption of the UFMP on February 10, 2026. During the July 14, 2026 work session, asked which budget investments would have the greatest impact on UFMP goals, and followed up by asking about clarification on the grow-versus-remove framework and the timeline for setting canopy cover targets.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[10] Staff announced an open house for the Urban Forest Management Plan scheduled for September 25 from 6–8 pm at the Sherwood Center, with a virtual option also available.
[10] Staff reported that stakeholder interviews for the Urban Forest Management Plan are upcoming, and a second public meeting is scheduled for October 17 at the Sherwood-Willard Center.
[12a] The Urban Forest Master Plan was discussed and overviewed during the work session; no formal action was taken.
[8a] Dr. Garrett Wolf of Marstel-Day presented an overview of the Urban Forest Master Plan proposal to the Planning Commission during the Work Session.
[13b] Staff presented an update on the Urban Forest Master Plan project and a review of the city's urban forestry operations during the work session. No formal action was taken.
[8a] Staff Urban Forester Anna Safford and consultant Dr. Garrett Wolf presented an update on the Urban Forest Masterplan project to the Commission during the work session.
[9] A public open house for the Urban Forest Master Plan was announced for October 23, 2025 at the Sherwood Center, 6–8 p.m., per the staff report.
[11] Chair Feather attended an Urban Forest Master Plan presentation meeting.
[10] An update on the Urban Forest Masterplan was noted as scheduled for both the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting and the December 8, 2025 Planning Commission meeting.
[4b] The draft UFMP — the city's first — was presented to Council for input. Phase 1 (information gathering) is complete; Phase 2 (plan development) is nearing completion. A final draft is expected by end of 2025, with a public hearing and Council action tentatively scheduled for January 27, 2026.
[8a] The draft Urban Forest Masterplan was presented to the Planning Commission by Urban Forester Anna Safford and discussed during the work session.
[9] A presentation on the Urban Forest Masterplan was noted as scheduled for the January 26, 2026 Planning Commission meeting.
[5a] The Planning Commission voted 5:0 to recommend City Council approve the Urban Forest Master Plan in the draft dated December 2025. The plan is a 20-year roadmap for stewardship of Fairfax's urban forest and was set to be presented to City Council the following evening.
passedMotion to recommend City Council approve the Urban Forest Master Plan in the draft dated December 2025.✓ Feather✓ Cunningham✓ Lockhart✓ McCarthy✓ Rice[7a] The Urban Forest Master Plan (December 2025 draft) was approved and adopted by the City Council following a public hearing; the plan has been in development since May 2024.
failedSubstitute motion: adopt the Urban Forest Master Plan (December 2025 draft) with a provision requiring the Urban Forester to provide a report to City Council by July 2026 explaining the establishment of targets and timelines.✕ Amos✕ Bates✓ Hall✕ Hardy-Chandler✕ McQuillen✓ PetersonpassedMain motion: adopt resolution R-26-07 approving and adopting the Urban Forest Master Plan in the draft dated December 2025.✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson[9] City Council approved adoption of the Urban Forest Master Plan at the February 10, 2026 meeting.
[12b] Council received a 1-year plan and 5-year outlook update on the Urban Forest Master Plan during the July 14, 2026 work session; no formal action was taken.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.