THE LEAFLET

May 10, 2021 /
Jona Elwell

Casey Trees Comments on the Comp Plan

To many of us urban planning is an abstract concept made concrete during construction delays, lane closures and seeing an influx of cranes.

But did you know that there are plans that help steer development for every major city in the US?

The District’s plan is called the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital – also known as the Comp Plan. 

What is the Comp Plan? 

The Comprehensive Plan, or Comp Plan, is the District’s blueprint for how it would like to develop over the next two decades. It outlines where the government would like zoning changes to take place and identifies important issues that the District would like to focus on as it develops. 

Currently, the Comprehensive Plan is being amended. This new draft puts a strong focus on building resiliency throughout the District and suggests that resiliency should be built through green means, such as trees. This plan also advocates for expanding our urban forest, putting land under conservation easements, and increasing protection for forested areas through zoning.

Why is Casey Trees interested and involved?

This is where we come in because as the elements of the Comp Plan are updated, they’re released in draft for public comment. This is our chance to actively review new plans and policies and submit formal comments that recommend ways to increase tree canopy on city land.

One of the many Comp Plan elements being looked over is zoning. An area that we’re particularly interested in (unsurprisingly) is the Tree and Slope Protection designation. 

What is the Tree and Slope Protection?

The Tree and Slope Protection (TSP) is a zoning designation that is meant to preserve trees and ground cover in neighborhoods that have a significant quantity of steep slopes. The roots in trees and other vegetation prevents erosion that can lead to landslides or significant stormwater runoff. 

This designation limits the amount of development on a piece of property by:

  • Establishing an impervious surface maximum for the lot,
  • Limiting the number of trees that can be removed, and
  • Creating penalties for noncompliance.

What does the Comp Plan say about it?

“Work with neighborhood and community groups, homeowners and other landowners, and ANCs to identify additional areas to which the Tree and Slope Protection (TSP) should be extended. Such areas should generally abut streams or public open spaces and should have steep slopes, significant natural tree cover, and some potential for future development. Particular attention should be given to extending the TSP to lands in Wards 7 and 8.  Explore land trusts, conservation easements, and other tools for preserving steep slopes and hillside areas.”

How can we help?

TSP covers less than 2% of District land but almost 11% of District land is on a steep slope that can easily erode. Expanding the TSP could help protect trees from removal during construction and homes from harm during strong storms.

Casey Trees is growing its conservation easement program to protect lands, including steep slopes, from development, enhance tree canopy, and mitigate future stormwater and soil runoff. 

If you’re interested in partnering with us to set aside undeveloped green space for people and for trees through a conservation easement, get in touch with us at caseytrees.org/saveoursoil.

See where we’ve conserved land with local partners, with the goal of protecting trees and green space for future generations to come!