# Special Meeting: Urban Forestry Commission (In-Person) (Jun 25, 2026) **Body:** City of Asheville — Urban Forestry Commission **Date:** June 25, 2026 1:00 PM EDT (2026-06-25T13:00:00-04:00) **Location:** 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA - First Floor Conference Room **Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788 ## Summary The Urban Forestry Commission held a special meeting on June 25, 2026, to address governance, policy development, and strategic planning for Asheville’s urban forest. The body focused on establishing operational procedures, developing a framework for tree canopy fee and lieu funds, reviewing canopy data, and setting goals for the Urban Forest Master Plan. The meeting included formal proceedings, presentations, work sessions, and a period for public comment. Key decisions made during the meeting included the unanimous election of Karen McNeil as Chair and Ed Macy as Vice-Chair. The Commission also unanimously approved its Rules of Procedure and voted 7-0 to allow public comment before the work session. Additionally, the Commission decided to use the SkyTech canopy analysis as a baseline for future comparisons, despite noted discrepancies with internal city data. Discussions centered on creating a Fee and Lieu (TREFI/LIEU) policy to guide the budgeting and spending of funds collected from developers who opt to pay fees instead of planting trees. A working group comprising Commissioners, members of the People and Environment Recovery Board, development representatives, and city staff was formed to develop this policy, with a recommendation expected in late fall. Regarding canopy data, Jackson Marks presented a SkyTech assessment showing 47% tree canopy cover, though Commissioners noted discrepancies with city data and significant loss in North Asheville and floodplains following Hurricane Helene. The Commission emphasized moving beyond aggregate canopy percentages to focus on targeted, neighborhood-level interventions and equity. Public comments received via email highlighted concerns about chemical usage, specifically Roundup, and the need for accessible tree services. Commenters also raised issues regarding enforcement of tree protection regulations, citing a specific case of apparent non-compliance at a Regent Park and Patton Avenue construction site. The Commission discussed these concerns, acknowledging the need to address equity and improve community engagement with underserved populations. Follow-up actions agreed to at the meeting include the formation of the TREFI/LIEU Working Group and the assignment of city staff to provide clarification on the fee schedule citation and data regarding floodplain canopy loss. SkyTech was asked to provide more details on their analysis methodologies, and staff committed to preparing draft goals for the Environment Recovery Board. The Commission also agreed to investigate the reported non-compliance at the Regent Park site and clarify quorum rules with the City Clerk. ## Video & Transcript - Recording: https://youtube.com/live/zdwWFlhPwMA?feature=share - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1995/segments ## Documents - [UFC Meeting Sign In Sheet.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10461) - [UFC- Goals Discussion.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10492) - [Copy of Asheville_UTC_Report_Update.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10478) - [Public Comment for 6/25 Meeting.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10463) - [Letter to P&E Recovery Board .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10465) - [UFC 062526 Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10460) - [UFC meeting Notice.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10469) - [FIL slides for UFC June.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10473) - [agenda_2026-06-25.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=9862) - [Asheville_Canopy_Report_5-29-2026_Final.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10480) - [UFC Rules of Procedure.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10484) - [Copy of Asheville UFMP Public Engagement Summary.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10489) - [2025 Assessment.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=9857) - [Worksession Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=9859) - [Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=9858) - [2022 update.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=9856) - [The Urban Forest Strike Team.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10467) - [Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=9861) - [October 7, 2025.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=9853) - [ Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=9855) - [Rules of Procedure.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=9854) - [UFC Goals - Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10494) - [UFC Action Minutes - 10/7/25 Special Meeting.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10486) - [General Information: Fees for Tree FIL.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10471) - [Copy of 2019 Asheville UTC Davey.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=10475) - [Engagement Summary.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2788?document=9860) ## Sources - [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/special-meeting-urban-forestry-commission-in-person-jun-25-2026/)