Urban Forestry's Forest Conservation Branch Joins Land Development Services

Land Development Services (LDS) Site Development and Inspections Division (SDID) welcomes the Forest Conservation Branch (FCON) into SDID. FCON moves from the county's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) to LDS. This change will afford more collaboration amongst review disciplines and streamline the plan review process by designating forest conservation review as an "inside agency" in the expedited review process. The transfer became effective February 2023 and allows more direct collaboration between Forest Conservation review staff and the SDID site review staff.

FCON administers Fairfax County's Tree Conservation Ordinance during the development review process. According to the ordinance, "The conservation (i.e., preservation and planting) of trees during the land development process will protect, sustain, and enhance the county's urban forest resources." The services provided by FCON are an integral part of the land development process and include reviewing rezoning plans, infill lot grading plans, site plans, and conducting site meetings and inspections. Urban foresters use the latest science and engage with the development community to find innovative solutions to the growing challenges facing our changing urban forest.

Prior to this organizational change, DPWES-UFMD participated in the expedited review program (ESI Designated Plans Examiner (DPE) Program) as an outside agency in a similar way to VDOT and Fairfax Water Authority. Forestry review will now be conducted as an "inside agency" under the DPE program. The Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) and DPE program will reflect this change after April 1, 2023.

For questions about this change, please email matthew.hansen@fairfaxcounty.gov, SDID Division Director or call 703-342-1698.